The Washington times., 1902-09-01
MAINE FAILS In ITS
SPEED REQUIREMENTS
New Battleship Falls Below
Contract Exaction.
Still Very Fast Ship-Builders May
Apply for Another Test-Con-
ditioIs Unfavorable.

For the first time in the history OF
the United States navy modern battle
ship has failed to attain the speed
specifications of her contract The
Maine. in her trial over the Cape Ann
course last Saturday, failed to make
eighteen knots per hour, as specified
in the contract between the Government
and William Cramp & Sons, of Philadel-
phia.
The Maine. the keel of which was
laid on February 10, 1899, the anniver-
sary of the destruction of the old Maine
in Havana harbor. was the first of sew
eTal eighteen knot ships authorized by
Congress. In her trial she went over
the course, two hours outward and two
back. at an average speed of 1856
knots per hour, according to the official
figures.
Remarkable Figures.
Although these figures surpass any
ever made by any battleship of the navy
they were disappointing, for the Maine
mad made an excellent showing on her
builders trial, and predictions were
made that she would run far ahead of
eighteen knots at the official test.
Heretofore nearly every battleship
built has easily surpassed her contrac
speed, and the expense to the Govern
ment was SO great when bonuses were
oiiered for extreme speed that the pre-
MUM system was discontinued.
Despite disappointment it was expect
io1 oil
made for the effect of the tide would
allow the final official figures to make
her record little more than eighteen
knots.
Commander Walter C. Cowles u. {.
~, who acted as recorder of the board.
mas estimated the tidal influences, and
still the Maine is found wanting. The
exact figures will not be available until
the report of the trial board. of which
capt. c. j. Train, OF the Board of In
spection and Survey, was the head. is
submitted to the Navy Department next
week. The record of the Maine will
stand between 1856 and IS knots.
Terms of the contract provide that
unless the Maine attains an average
speed of eighteen knots the builder;
shall pay forfeit at the rate of s25. 600
per quarter knot between eighteen and
seventeen and half knots.
No Excess Premium.
There is no provision for premium
for excess speed. The builders have the
privilege Of asking for a new trial. As
the forfeit is paid proportionateIy 10
the degree of failure the Cramps will
not In any event have to pay more than
$4,000, which is a much smaller sum
than would be the expense of a new
trial. The stigma of building shin
which failed to make it's contract speed
is sufficient, perhaps, to induce applica
tion for new trial. especially In view
OF the fact that many naval officers hold
the opinion that the Maine would ex-
ceed eighteen knots on a new trial.
Unable to secure a good quality of
steaming coal before the vessel left
hlladelphia for the trial course. Door
luel was taken aboard, the builders feel
ns conndeI,t that the ship would exceed
eighteen knots in any event Overcon-
iGence appears TO have been the cause
of the Names failure. On the builders
trial tie Maine had steamed one thirty
minute stretch at the rate of 1919
knots, and it was thought she might
even reach nineteen.
The Maine was built more rapidly
-han any other battleship in the navy.
Her cost. when completed. was close to
so,HU.ooo. She is sister ship of the
Missouri and the Ohio, now building. and
IS alsn the first ship to be fitted with
he Ntclause water tube boiler. at the
5ugEestton Of he Cramps. Her indicat-
ID Horsepower is $1,000 tons. This is
,000 tons greater than that of ary hat
-lesh.p in tie navy.