Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-13
ADDER AND MOCCASlN
REMARKABLE EXHIBITION oF
SUBMARINE BOATS.
Both Exceeded Their Contract Speed
Under Awash and Under
Light Conditions.

Travelling between eight and nine knots
an hour with their round fishlike bows
boring their way through the water and
their sterns buried in foam, the Holland
submarine torpedo boats Adder and Mecca
sin gave a remarkable exhibition of their
powers in Peconic bay yesterday.
Both exceeded their contract speed OF
seven knots under awash and eight knots
under light conditions by more than half a
knot. 1t was also learned that the Adder s
official time in yesterdays submerged run
was 7.23 knots. or nearly quarter OF a
knot over the required speed of seven knots.
She made III revolutions at that speed
with 800 amperes. Two hundred and seven
teen revolutions were required in today's
trials but the Adder made 242, thus having
plenty of energy to spare.
Will Make Two-Mile Run Submerged.
Experts in submarine work say that, judg-
ing from past experience. both boats will
have no trouble in making the two-mile run
submerged and firing torpedo. which will
be one of the next tests.
Besides Capt. Frank T. Gable, who steered
the odd-fooking craft, there were Lieut..
White. L. S. N; Ensign Penney, L. S. N,
and Manager Lawrence Spear on the Ad-
der's small deck when she began her awash
trial yesterday morning.
Both boats were driven by gasoline en-
gines cared for by four men in the hold.
The course, carefully verified by Assistant
Nelson of the coast survey. was half mile
in length, and the boats steamed the first
half against a stiff breeze from the south
west and against the tide.
The required conditions were four runs
awash under one. TWO. three and four cyl
inders, respectively. The first half mile
was made in five minutes 40 seconds. the
second in three minutes. fifty seconds; the
third in three minutes. thirty seconds, and
the fourth In two minutes. fifty-tive seconds,
showing an increase of speed as each cyl
Under was added.
Six Runs Made Over Course.
The second trial was with the boat in
light condition. Six runs were made over
the course. half with and half against the
wind. The times taken were as follows:
First. four minutes. nineteen seconds; sec
ond, four minutes third. three minutes,
thirtysix seconds; fourth. three minutes;
fifth. three minutes. fifteen seconds sixth
two minutes. fifty-three seconds. At noon
the observers on shore reported that the
Adder had exceeded her contract speed
easily.
In the afternoon the Moccasin's light trial
took place. 1t consisted of three half-mile
runs against the wind and three with it.
While the Moccasin did not make as fast
time in some Of her runs the Adder, she
was, on the whole, considered steadier. Her
times were: First. eight minutes forty sec
onds; second. five minutes, five seconds;
third. four minutes; fourth. three minutes,
five seconds: fifth. three minutes twenty
seven seconds. sixth. three minutes, thirty
five seconds.
Capt c. j. Train, L. S. N. the chairman
of the board of inspection and survey, Is
much pleased so far with the result of the
trials. He says this class OF boat should
prove of great value to any navy. The Ad-
der will be put through a ten-mile sub
merged trial tomorrow and ten-mie
ewash trial. She may also do her two-mile
s5merged trial firing torpedo al a tar
& representing a battle ship.