Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-15
AT FULL SPEED.
The Kearsarge to Make Quick
Dash Across Atlantic.
First Test of Kind Of American Battle
ship in Time Of Peace.
Squadron Will Sail, Today-Farewels
at Portsmouth.

Portsmouth, Eng, July H.-Capt.
Hemphill of the United States flagship,
kearsarge, received instructions, Tues
day, to clean the warship's propellers,
fill her bunkers with the best coal and
so at the highest speed, with natural
draft to Frenchman's bay, Maine.
This is the first occasion in time of
peace that an American battleship has
been subject to such severe test. 1t
recalls a similar voyage of the battle
ship Oregon, during the war with
Spain. Divers commenced work, Tues
day morning, cleaning the propellers
and 1870 tons of coal will be delivered,
Wednesday. Capt. Hemphill will fol-
low the great circle route, leaving
Portsmouth, at o'clock, Friday morn
ing.
Admiral Lord Walter Kerr visited
the Kearsarge, Tuesday morning. He
was received by Rear Admiral Cotton
and Capt. Hemphill and under the lat
ter's guidance inspected the ship.
The kearsarge returned the court
sizes extended to the United States Eu-
ropean squadron here, by a reception,
this afternoon. The ship was elabo-
rately dressed with flags and the quar-
ter deck covered with canopy made up
of the flags of all nations. Admiral
Cotton, Capt. Hemphill and the other
American captains received the guests.
There was dancing on the superStruc-
ture deck.
The Kearsarge left the jetty, to-
night, and anchored in midstream,
preparatory to coaling, tomorrow.
With the reception given on board
Rear Admiral Cotton's flagship Kear-
sarge, this afternoon, the official visit
of the American squadron to England
is terminated. The royal yacht Victo-
ria and Albert will leavt Portsmouth
harbor tomorrow, and receive the sa-
lutes of the warships as she steams out.
On Friday when outside Spithead, Ad-
mfral Cotton will transfer his flag to
the Chicago and proceed with the San
Francisco and Machias to Lisbon, while
the Kearsarge will begin her speed
trial across the Atlantic.
Our reception in England has been
most cordial and enthusiastic" said
Rear Admiral Cotton. Nothing could
exceed the courtesy extended to us on
all sides, from the King and Prince of
Wales, the officials of the government
and officers of the army and navy to
the people Of London and Portsmouth.
/ have no doubt that the result of the
visit of the American squadron will
prove beneficial in the extreme, and
that it will tend to strengthen the cor
dial relations which have long existed
between the two countries"
Admiral Cotton is highly gratified at
the receipt of a photograph from the
Prince of Wales bearing the inscrip-
ton: George, Portsmouth, July IS,
1903"
Admiral Cotton and the other Amer
lean officers give Capt Hemphill all the
honor for the part played by the Kear-
sarge, whose presence contributed in
such remarkable degree to the sue
cess of the visit.
1--WE have been killed with Kindness
said Capt. Hemphill. "Our reception
could not have been better in any shape
or form. l had the pleasure of meeting
people in the English service whom /
have not seen for many years, among
others that charming officer, Capt
Bayly, whom l met before when in
England through the order of the late
Queen Victoria in doing honor to
America by assigning one of her best
ironclads to convey the remains of the
philanthropist, George Peabody, to
Portland"
In order to provide a satisfactory
buoy for the Kearsarge, the royal
yacht moved, this afternoon, to another
position, her place being occupied by
Admiral Cotton's flagship.
BY the route that Capt. Hamphill has
selected for the speed trial, the Kear-
sarge must steam 1852 miles. On her
way to Southampton she made 3245
miles. She is thus expected to take less
time on her impending voyage Capt.
Hemphill commanded the Buffalo,
which established the record of 80 days
on the run from New York to Manila,
and the officers of the Kearsarge are
satisfied that with the excellent coal
supply and the vessels moderately
clean bottom, the record for battle
ship run will be broken.
LEEh IhIrrnEor