The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-05
NORTH DAKOTA IS
ITHE FASTEST SHIP
Is Also One Of The Two Most
Powerful In World
SPEED is 1925 KNOTS
In Screw Standardization Test the Big
BattIeship Developed a Maximum of
35. 15o-Horsepower-Has But
One Equal in World.

Rockland, Me-, November 4.-The North
Dakota is the fastest as we'll as one OF
the two most powerful battleships afloat
In her screw Standardization test today
over the Rockland measured course she
developed a maximum speed Of 222
knots and an average of 21s33 knots, both
of which are higher than those made by
her sister ship, the Delaware. or by the
Bellerophon, the premier British Dread
nought.
In attaining this surprising speed the
turbine engines of the North Dakota were
forced to the development of more horse
power than has been reached by any
battleship afloat. A maximum of 35,15(
horsepower was recorded, while 33,S7i
horsepower was the mean amount. The
maximum number of revolutions of her
propellers was 2S6 minute. It was
was sufficient to maintain the contract
speed of q knots.
The North Dakota by her performance
today takes precedence as a general first
class battleship over any other afloat.
Her sister ship, the Delaware, which was
given her trials over the same course
on October %, was in uncertain posses
sion of this honor by her trial perform
ances, but the figures recorded by the
North Dakota today surpass those of
any other Dreadnought.
Has One Rival.
There is but one such battleship afloat
at the present time whose attachments
may exceed those of the North Dakota
This is the Neptune, just launched
for the British navy. The Bellehophon,
British, has made 22.1 knots, as compared
with the North Dakotas performance to-
day of 22.25
Comparisons between the trial perform
ance of the North Dakota and Delaware,
sister ships, are as follows:
Fastest speed-North Dakota, 22.25; Del
Mean speed-North Dakota, q. 1888; Del
aware, 21H.
Best horsepower-North Dakota, $3.50;
Delaware. $4,000 (unofficiaD.
Mean horsepower-North Dakota, 1855;
Delaware, 2S,57S.
1t was on the first of her runs over
the measured mile course. following sew
eral preliminary rounds, that the North
Dakota made her record today. The tide
was in her favor and this is not sub
tracted from the best figures. In the
recorded mean or average, however, tidal
corrections are made The five trials
over the mile course were recorded as
follows: 22.25, 21.4se, 221S, 21-55 and 22.21
Tide Influence.
The Influence of the tide on the YES
sells speed is shown in a comparison OF
the time in succeeding miles.
While the speed runs were being record
ed the North Dakota was also undergo
ing a two-hour test for consumption OF
oil and coal.
The Delaware and the North Dakota
are the first battleships built for the
United States navy to use the oil spray
ing method. The showing is understood
to have been very satisfactory.
1t is interesting to note that the Del
aware, which was built by the Newport
News Shipbuilding company, Is equipped
with reciprocating engines, while the
North Dakota, built by the Fore River
Shipbuilding company, is the first Amer
lean battleship of the first class to have
turbine engines installed.
Capt Edward G. Evans, who narrowly
escaped death when the tug Nezinscott
was sung off Cape Ann, several months
ago. was in charge of the North Dakota
today A working crew of 400 men pushed
the vessel to her record performance.
Beginning at o'clock tomorrow morn
ing the North Dakota is to be put through
the second test, a four-nour run OF q
knots. 1t is expected that an average
of about 21.T5 knots will be developed.
The run will end off Boston light. where
the North Dakota will anchor and pre-
pare for her 24-hour run at ~ knots.
Following this she will undergo anoth-
er 24-hour test at 10 knots.
Within six months, 1t is expected, the
North Dakota and the Delaware will
take their places in the van of the Amer
lean navy's line of sea fighters.