The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1904-06-17
AT A BATTLESHIP TEST.
AN ANXIOUS DAY FOR BUILDERS
OF THE FIGHTING MONSTERS.

| aTldi OF the Big GunS-NeaTiy Every
Article in the Equipment Is DupIl-
Gated to Cover Hitch in the Man.
oeuvring.
1t is an anxious yet proud moment
lor the builders and designers Of a
dig battleship when the tests are about
10 De applied which are to expose her
Iaults, II any, lay bear her secret fall
ings, and bring to the surface the man
l1old queer whims and caprices to
which vessels, like horses, are peculiar
ly prone. The skill and labor of many
months are about to undergo the or
zeal or the most searching investiga-
zion which science and human fore
slght can apply, and big cheque is
ABOUT to change hands, says London
Tit-Bits.
In view of the fact that one of the
most powerful battleships ever
launched, the Shikishima, belonging to
Japan, may play very prominent part
IN the war into which that country and
Russia are plunged, it may be interest
Ing to review the trials which this
splendid war levathan underwent be-
lore being handed over by the Thames
Shipbuilding company to her purchas-
ers.
A complete staff Of artificerS, stok
ers, and small crew of quaint-looking
but smart and seamanlike Japanese
sailors (who were eventually to work
the ship back to the little island en-
pre- IN the Far East, stood under or
ders, prepared for any emergency
which might arise, and preparations
were made for the first trial, slow
speed. After six hours run at two
thirds speed this test was pronounced
satisfactory, and, as a matter of fact,
1t is the least formidable of the series
in the eyes of interested parties. Then
steering enthusiasts experimental with
the steam gear which actuates the rud-
der, performed evolutions at startling
angles, and pronounced it excellent.
Next day, after the boilers had been
carefully cleaned and overhauled, the
engines were put at their top notch for
speed and endurance, and no doubt
during the run-10 miles-the ankle
ties of the engine room authorities
were neither few nor frivolous But
in justice to the British engineer it
must be admitted that while not ex-
actly welcoming difficulties, he is sell
dom happier than when successfully
meeting them.
Meanwhile the draught of water was
being carefully noted, weights on
board being verified for all deficient
armament, stores, etc, have been
made up in water-ballast and coal
And talking of coal, the experts want
to know to pound how much of this
precious fuel, which. by the way, is
specially hand-picked and selected, is
being consumed to maintain the steam
pressure.
The anchor trials proved very inter
esting. These colossal masses of iron,
several of them weighing nearly six
tons apiece, were let go, to try their
holding power on the sea bottom, to
satisfy the band of critics on deck that
everything in this department of the
Shikishma's internal economy was
well found" and in perfect working
order.
The auxiliary armament, as the
smaller guns are termed was next sub
iected to examination, and not only
the weapons themselves, but their
mountings had to pass muster, any de-
fects or suggested alterations being
where possible, affected or remedied by
the staff on the spot. Meanwhile the
electrical fittings, with which every
modern warship is appointed from
light to telephones, had been over
hauled and tested and presently the
torpedo trials were due.
The tubes from which these deadly
missiles are discharged had been pre-
viously tested during the steaming tri-
ais by firing dummies, but now the real
thing had TO meet the approval Of the
experts. These tests are too technical
for the average landsman to follow,
but they are thorough. Truly, the Off
Ger who, seated in his steel coming
tower. touches a knob and releases one |
of these misunderstanding engines
in the direction of an enemy's warship
holds terrible responsibilities in his
hands.
Perhaps one of the most important
tests is that applied to the big guns,
and the consequences of their dis
charge, for after the regulation number
Of rounds have taken place the strength
and construction of the Shiklshma
were infinitely examined to see that
,.;,,o+ stood firm, opd +1,o