The Washington times., 1902-09-18
The Corrected Report Of
Speed Trial Gives Bat
tleship 18 Knots.
STAKE BOATS HAD DRIFTED
OFF the Course Far Enough to Slightly
Handicap Ship-Allowance Saves the
Builders a Penalty = Report Of the
Trial Board.

The long expected report OF the board
of naval officers appointed to conduct
the official speed trial of the new battle
ship Maine was submitted to the Secre-
tary of the Navy yesterday. After max
ing tidal corrections the board found
that the battleship had failed to develop
her required speed Of eighteen knots by
small percentage, but when allowances
were made for the important fact that
some Of the stake boats used to mark
the trial course had drifted from their
proper positions it was ascertained that
the Maine had really gone further than
the total length OF the course.
This correction of the vessels speed
resulted in the conclusion that she had
made Just eighteen knots, the minimum
rate demanded by the contract. Sec
retary Moody has determined to accept
the vessel. II she had fallen below the
speed requirement, as was first believed
was the case, the Navy Department
could have rejected her. or in accepting
her compelled the builders. the Cramps
of Philadelphia, to pay penalty.
Stake Boats Drifted.
The report OF the board shows that
on the day Of the trial. August 81, the
Maine made the run over the trial
course between Cape Anne. Mass, and
Cape Porpoise, Maine. and returned at
the rate of 1853 nautical miles per
hour. going north. aBd 1858 nautical
miles per hour going south, giving a
mean speed of 1883 nautical miles per
hour for the entire run. In its explana-
ton of the disadvantages suffered by the
Maine through the drifting Of the stake
boats the board says:
las a matter Of fact. the stake boats
we're not all in their true positions.
These vessels were tugs, varying from
155 to 241 tons displacement, and their
small size rendered it impossible to
keep them in their proper places during
the trial. and their movement not only
made it impossible for the Maine to steer
straight course, but casts grave doubts
on the accuracy OF the current Obserya-
tions taken from them.
I'm the case Of the Narkeeta, which
had station No. 3, and the Sioux. which
had station No. 4, it was noticed that in
the runs to northward they had drifted
away from their buoys to an estimated
distance for the former of 500 yards, and
for the latter of 400 yards.
Forced to Alter Course.
''In both cases the Maine headed in
side of the line Of buoys until this was
discovered, and then headed gradually
into the buoys.S BY constructing trf-
angle from these estimated distances the
additional distance made by the Maine
in tho leg to the northward would be at
least 100 yards. On this leg there was
a fresh to moderate breeze from north
ward, and the tidal current was settling
to the southwestward
ION the return trip the tidal curren'
was in the direction of the course, and
the wind lighter. so no drift was made.
This estimate does not take account of
the loss in speed occasioned by the use
of the rudder to correct the ships
course. owing to the stake boats being
out of position-a correction which
could not be determined with any de-
gree of accuracy. but which would un-
doubt edly reduce the speed an appre
ciable amount.
Correcting the speed as above deter
mined for the changes in the ships
course due to the Narkeeta and Sioux
being out Of position. the actual dis
tance run on the northeast leg was 3.7S6
knots. and the true speed of the Maine
on that leg was HIP knots.
THE true mean speed developed while
on the course was therefore is knots"
nr;ck fo Apauoy ualrn
The board found that the steering gear
worked we'll, and the vessel showed re-
good maneuvering qualities.
n working the turn at the end of the
irst run. the diameter of the turning
.ircle was about 325 yards. The mean
lraft OF the vessel at the time of the
rial was twenty-three feet six IL
hes.