The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-24
All Records for Battleships Broken
by the New War Vessel During
Her Ofhcial Trial.
AVERAGED 1873 KNOTS AN HOUR
BEAT THE TIME MADE BY THE
ILLINOIS ON HER TRIAL.
Several Minor Accidents That Caused
DeIay-Commnnder COwIes and
Builder Cramp Pleased.

BOSTON, Mass, Aug. 23.-The new first
world like a ship already commissioned
in the navy, save for the big Cramp flag
astern raced around the Cape Ann trial
course to-day to prove her right to fly the
United States ensign. She did it before
she finished. Her contract calls for speed
of eighteen knots an hour for four continu-
Gus hours of steaming, and though on one
six-mile leg she dropped to 1885, on her fast
est she reached 1S.9 and this was followed
by other speeds equally agreeable. Thus.
at the end her mean speed developed with
out the tidal allowance was given out as
1873. This is not official. as the naval board
has not completed its figuring and will not
for some time But this is the statement
made by the Cramps.
There is little feeling that she was
pected to go over this mark but as it is,
she stands to-day as the fastest battleship
in the American fleet, for the Illinois.
which up to this time has held the record.
only did 1884 on her fastest leg, as against
this 1873, and both E. S. Cramp and Com
mander Cowles, the latter of the navy
board, expressed themselves as we'll salts
fed after the trip. When the Maine was
coming over at one time she is understood
TO have been pushed to 1896, but it is ex-
planned that this is the first time a trial
trip of this sort has been run under serv-
ice conditions with unpicked coal, and with
an ordinary crew of stokers.
The big boat was delayed in the start by
the low tide, but from the instant she had
clear water her speed was worked up under
ordinary draft When at 11:27 the Maine
went by the first mark boat off Cape Ann
she had a storm cloud of smoke bursting
out of her tunnels. Those on the mark
boat had time to wave their hands and
she was beyond them. The second mark off
Newburyport, was picked up in a hurry
and she was off to the third. The wind
which had been increasing steadily in
speed and strength, now began its full
work of retarding. 1t heaved up a lumpv
sea. In the face of these conditions the
Maine pounded out her eighteen knots to
the Rye beach mark. and then to the final
boat at Boon islands, extra pressure was
brought in. Her turn at this last mark
for the run back was a leisurely affair
Once her PROV was full south she raced
down at the full speed. With an adverse
wind coming up the laymen had great
uOptS OL the dlu OF the DTeeZe gong Dack.
1t did help. inasmuch as it did not hinder,
but it was too dead astern to be of benefit
10 the craft The return trip was full of
the same statement. On her last leg she
reached the maximum of 1S.9 and made the
record run.
After the run the first accident of the day
happened. 1t was not a serious one. but the
vessel was obliged TO remain at anchor off
Thatchers island for nearly two hours The
Maine passed the last stake boat at the
finish and the officers put her through her
side PAGES. They sent her round in a circle
with her helm hard over. The last test of
all dropping the anchor by letting it
run free. This went down splendidly but
when the order was given 10 up-anchor the
hitch came y combination OF minor
troubles caused the chain TO slip on the
winch. Close on hour was spent trying
10 set the matter right Finally a tackle
was put and IL was hoisted aboard and
the ship set out for Boston. OF Boston
| light the tugs were picked up and the