The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1909-11-05
North Dakota Fastest
Battleship in the
World
RECORDS BROKEN
Latest Addition to Navy Eclipses Best
Performances of EngIand's Fastest
Dreadnaught, While Her Power Will
BE Greater Than Amy Other Ship
of Her Class on the Seas.

nOCKLAND, Me-, Nov. 4.-The North
Dakota is the fastest battleship
. of the dreadnaught type afloat,
as well as one Of the two most power
full ships in the world. Her screw
Standardization tests over the Rock
land course today developed maxi
mum speed of 22.25 knots, an average
of 21.833. Both marks are in excess
OF the best performances of either her
sister ship, the Delaware, or the
Bellerophon, the leading dreadnaught
of the British navy.
In attaining this surprising speed,
the turbine engines of the North Da-
kota were forced to the development
of more horsepower than has been
reached by any battleship afloat. A
maximum 35,150 horsepower was re-
corded, while 33,875 horsepower was
the mean amount. The maximum
number of revolutions of her nickel
composition propellers was 2S6 min
ute. 1t was found that 263 revolutions
in this time were sufficient to main
tain the contract speed of 81 knots.
The North Dakota, by her perform
ance today, takes precedence as a
general first-class battleship. The
figures recorded for the North Dakota
today surpass those of any other
dreadnaught.
There is only one such battleship
afloat the attainments of which may
exceed those of the North Dakota.
This is the Neptune, just launched for
the British navy. The Neptune, how
ever, will have to attain figures much
in excess Of specifications to accom-
plish this. The Bellerophon of the
British navy has made but 22,1 knots.
1t was on the first of her runs over
the measured mile course that the
North Dakota made her record. The
tide was in her favor and this is not
subtracted from the best figures In
the recorded mean, or average, how
ever, tidal corrections are made. Five
trials over the mile course were re-
corded as follows: 1925, 21.48.6, 22.13,
21505 and 22.13.3. The influence of
the tide on the vessels speed is shown
in a comparison of the time in sue
ceeding miles.
While the five speed runs were be-
ing recorded the North Dakota was
already undergoing two hours test
for consumption of oil and coal The
showing is understood to have been
satisfactory.
The Delaware is equipped with re-
ciprocating engines, while the North
Dakota is fitted with turbine engines.
Captain Edward G. Evans was in
charge of the North Dakota today. A
working crew of 400 pushed the yes
sci to her record performance.
Beginning at Z o'clock tomorrow
morning the North Dakota is to be
put through the second test, a four
hours run at 81 knots. 1t is expected
that an average of about 21.75 knots
will be developed. The run will end
off Boston light, where the North
Dakota will anchor and prepare for
her 24-hour run at 21 knots. Follow
ing this she will go under another "a
hour test at 19 knots.
Within six months it is expected,
the North Dakota and the Delaware
will take their places in the van of
the American navy's line of sea fight
ers and will then rank as the greatest
battleships in commission through
out the world.