The San Francisco call., 1908-05-10

Lame Duck had put a spIint on her
wing.
IF we can't shoot said the senior
watch officer Of the Milwaukee, whose
ship had come out third merely because
the other two had made such excellent
scores. I'VE ought to be able to run
away" And on paper the speed trial
looked easy for the ''sloper."
She had developed her required speed
without difficulty on her builders trial
and was known to haye her engines and
Boilers in good shape and was over
looking no detail TO give herself a thor
ough preparation. The Charleston's en-
gines were said to be excellent, but it
was feared that. having been out of
dock for some time. the condition of
her bottom would impair her chances.
The ST. Louis week before the race
had a special board OF engineers ex-
anime her feed pumps. They shook
their heads obviously but decided
finally they might last. Her propeIlers,
too, were not in adjustment. The Mil
waukee. therefore, was picked against
the field.
A delay in connection with the Cali
fornia's practice caused the postpone
ment of the squadron's departure until
$50 g. M, March 9.
The torpedo boats Preble and Perry
ffCAC ~ NdhC ROS4llOtlS IN the rear OF
the others and maintain sufficient speed
only to keep up.
At the specified time all ships
promptly got under way, the Charles
ton, Milwaukee and the St. Louis in
order named, 400 yards apart They
headed directly for the entrance of the
bay. Their decks were still: no indi-
cation of the coming struggle was Wis
lDle. When they rounded Estrada point
and entered the open sea the navigator
on the st. Louis leaned over the rail
Of the upper bridge and called Port
20 degrees" 20 the quartermaster steer
ing on the lower bridge, and the ships
swung into line, the st. Louis slightly
IN the lead, next TO the land. The
Charleston was on the outside. The
start was 70 be at o'clock: speed +o
De increased at quarter of eight TO
ls knots.
At 7:50 the quarterback on each NJ
the ships was being paced by groups Of
officers. and most OF the crew was up on
the superstructure decks
From the deck ofathe St Louis the
ships moved without changing their
relative positions as il attached to some
huge submarine lever that was pushing
them along. The st. Louis was still in
the lead and the Milwaukee a length
behind.
At 7:45 the signal went up for stahd-
ard speed-that is, IS knots-and i'm
rnediately the ships began TO plow
up the water. carrying the familiar
bone in their teeth.
The Milwaukee seemed to be root
ing deeper in the water than the
others. The sailors on the st.
Louis were quick TO notice this.
She's down too far by the head" said
one
Look at the Charley" said another:
she's hardly making any foam at all.
No smoke from the forward stack,
either NE for the Charley in the
race"
Forget it." said his shipmate. Do
YOU see that?' pointing up to where the
safety valve was lifting and the white
steam mingled with the thick black
rolls of smoke from the stacks; thatll
bring home the bacon for the Budweiser
ship all right"
The officers on the quarterback were
more critical. They also noticed the
apparent lack OF squat in the Mil
waukee and commented upon It. Il am
glad we flled our trimming tanks; 1T
brought her down 10 inches In the
STERN said a young ensign, leaning
over the side, trying vainiy to see how
much water the St Louis was throw
ing over her bow.
frJ,A xvake extended back over the sea