The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-08-24
MAINE BREAKS RECORD
FASTEST BATTLEsHIP I'm THE
AMERICAN FLEET.
On Trial Trip New War Vessel
Made Speed Of 1879 Exceeding
the Mark Made by
Illinois.

Boston. Aug. 23.-The new first class
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 1t be-
fore she finished.
Her contract calls for speed OF eigh-
teen knots an hour for four continuous
hours and though on one leg she drop
ped to 1873, on her fastest she reached
1873 and this was followed by other speeds
equally agreeable.
Thus at the end her mean speed de-
veloped without uday allowance, was
given out as lSa This Is not ofhcial
as the naval board has not yet completed
its figuring and will not for some time
There IL q little feeling that she was
expected to 20 over this mark but as II
is, she stands today as the fastest bat
tleship in the American feet, for the
Illinois, which up to this time. has heio
the record only did 1854 on her fastest
leg as against 1873. Both e. 8. Cramp
and Commander Cowles, the latter OF the
Navy Board expressed themselves as well
satisfied after the trip.
When the Maine was coming over at
one tine she is understood to have been
pushed to 1879 but it 10 explained that this
is the first time trial trip OF this sort
has been run under service conditions,
with unpicked coal and with an ordinary
crew of stckers.
After the run the first accident OF the
day happened 1t was not serious one
hut the vessel was Obliged to remain at
anchor Off Thatchers Island Tor 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 was dropping the
anchor by letting 1t run free. This went
down splendidly but when the order was
given TO up-anchor, the hitch came A
combination of minor troubles caused the
chain to slip on tho winch and close On
an hour was spent trying to set the mat
ter right. Finally a tackle was put on
and it was hoisted aboard and the chip
started out for Boston on Boston light
the tugs were picked up and the guests
were returned to Botson. The ship her
self probably will start back to PhiiaAel-
phia Sunday afternoon.
The big boat was delayed in the start
by the low tide but from the instapt she
had clear water. her speed was worked
up under ordinary draft. When at u:ZI
the Maine went by the first mark boat on
Cane 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 pick
ed up In hurry and she was Off to the
third. The wind which had been IN
creasing steadily in speed and strength,
now began its full work of retarding. 1t
heaved up a lumpy sea. In the face of
these conditions the Maine pounded out
her IS knots to the Rye beach mark ana
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 ieisurely AFFAIR. Once her
PROV was full south she raced down at
the full speed. With an adverse wind
coming up. the laymen had great hopes
Of the aid Of the breeze going back. 1t
did help inasmuch as 1t did not hinder,
but It was too dead to be OF beneft to the
draft The return trip was full of the
same statement. On her last leg she
reached the maximum, 1879 ana made the
record run.
1t was after this that the evolutions
were had and the anchor chain bucked
which brought the anal delay.
The old Maine. which she replaces, had
a displacement of $3.50 tons. The new
Maine has a displacement of 126o0. The
old Maine did about II knots. The new
Maine can do 1873.