The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1904-06-09
AT A BATTLESHIP TEST.
AN ANXIOUS DAY FOR BUILDERS
OF THE FIGHTING MONSTERS.

for the builders and designers of a
big battleship when the tests are about
to be applied which are to expose her
faults, if any, lay bear her secret fail
ings, and bring to the surface the man.
Hold 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
deal of the most searching investiga-
ton which science and human fore
sight can apply, and a big cheque is
about to change hands, says London
Tit-Bits.
In view of the fact that one of the
most powerful ba%ttleships ever
launched, the Shikishima, belonging to
Japan, may play a 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 leviathan underwent be-
fore being handed owe by the Thames
S~hipbuilding company to her p~urchas-
ers.
A complete staff of artificers, stok-
ers, and a small crew of quaint-looking
but smart and seamanlike Japanese
sailors (who were eventually to work
the ship back to the little island en-
pire 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 q six hours run at two
thirds speed this test was pronounced
satisfactory, and. as a matter of fact,
it 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 o%verhauled. 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 a pound how much of this
precious fuel, which, by the way, is
specially hand-picked and selected, is
being consumed to maintain the steam
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 hat
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
jected to examination, and not only
the weapons themselves, but their
mountings had to pass muster, any de-
fects OF 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
IeSlS is LudI dpplleu u the Dig guns,
and the consequences of their dis
charge, for after the regulation number
Of rounds have taken place the strength
and construction of the Shikishma
were infinitely examined to see that
every rivet stood firm and that the
decks had sustained no damage or
strain from the terrific shock of the
firing. Needless to say, during the
trial the horizon was carefully scanned
with glasses between rounds. to obviate
the chances of dropping projectiles into
passing vessels.
The big gun trial is a most arduous
test of endurance for the gun crews
as we'll, for it is a not unusual thing to
find the men, on the afternoon of the
day following, asleep on the hard
decks, with perhaps only a wooden
coaming for a pillow.
Battleship trials in this country are
invariably conducted almost wholly
by the British staff who have been en-
ployed on the structure of the mighty
fabric, and they work with wonderful
enthusiasm and ~unceasing endeavor to
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