The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
MAINE MAKES
 FINE SHOWING New BattIeship Proves Herself the Fastest AaOat CLIPS OFF 18 KNOTSA HOUR At One Time the Warshlp Is Said to Have Been Pushed to 1s.9-The Only Trouble Was With
 the Anchor.
CLIPS OFF 1S KNOTS AN HOUR


 Boston, August 2s.-The new first-ciass battleship Maine. looking for all the world like a ship already commissioned in the navy. save for the big cramp flag astern, raced around the Cape Ann trial course today to prove her right to fly the United States ensign. She did it before she finished. Her contract calls for a speed of IS knots an hour for four continuous hours of steaming, and though on one six-mile leg she dropped to 173J On her fastest she reached 1s.9, and this was followed by other speeds equally agreeable. Thus at the end of her trip her mean speed developed without tidal allowance was given out as 1S.3. This is not official, as the navy department has not completed it's figuring and will not for some time, but this is the statement made by the Cramps. There is a little feeling that she was expected to go Over this mark, but as it is. she stands today as the fastest battlcship in the American fleet, for the Illinois, which up to this time has held the record, only did 17.s4 on her fastest leg as against 1S.9 and both D. S. Cranip and Commander Cowles, the latter of the navy board. ex- pressed themselves as well satisfied after tho trip.
 Pushed to 18.9.
 When the Maine was coming over at one time she is understood to have been pushed to 1S.9, but it is explained that this is the first time trial trip of this sort has been run under service condi- tions, with unpicked coal and with an or dinary crew of stokers.
 After the run the first accident of the day happened. It was not a serious one, but the vessel was obliged 10 remain at anchor off Thatchers island for nearly two hours. The Maine passed the last stakeboat at the finish ana the officers put her through her side paces. They sent her around in a circle with her helm hard over.
 The last test of all was cropping the anchor by letting 1t run free. This went down splendidly, but when the order was given to up-anchor the hitch came. A conbination of minor troubles caused the chain to slip on the winch. Close on to an hour was spent trying to set the mat ter right Finally a tackle was put on and 1t was hoisted aboard the ship ana the new craft started out for Boston. of Boston light the tugs were picked up end the guests were returned to Boston. ,The ship herself will probably start back to Philadelphia Sunday afternoon.
 Delayed By Low Tide.
 The big boat was delayed in the start 1by the low tide, but from the instant she had clear water, her speed was worked ,,n ,nder ordinary draft. When at u:25 the Maine went by the first mark boat, off Cape Ann, she had a storm cloud of smoke bursting out of her tunnels. yrhose on the mark boat had time to wave their hands and she was beyond them. The second mark off Newberry port was nicked up in hurry and she was on to the third
 The wind which had been increasing steadily in speed and strength, now began its full work of retarding. It heayed up a lumpy sea. In the face of these condi- lions the Maine pounded out of her IS knots to the Rye beach mark. and then. to the final boat at Boon Island, extra pressure was brought in. Her turn at this mark for the run back was a leisurely affair Once her brow was full south, she raced down at the full speed. With an adverse wind coming up the laymen had great hopes of the breeze falling back. It did help, inasmuch as it did not hinder, but 1t was too dead astern to be of benefit to the draft.
 The return trip was full of the same treatment. On her last leg she reached the maximum, 1s.9. and made the record fln.
 1t was after this that the evolutions were had and the anchor chain bucked which brought the final delay.
 The old Maine, which she replaces, had a displacement of 6080 tons. The new Maine has a displacement of 12,sOO. The old Maine did about 1T knots. The new Maine can do 1S.3