Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-08-28

stckland, Aug. 27.-Speed in ex-
m Of q IL knots and approx
i uvIy 5000 horsepower were de-
vsved today in the first of her
sm standardization trials by the
rpr.dreadnaught West Virginia.
rording to official information
4 i,e public tonight. The big fight
I h craft, the last capital ship Of the
] -,asd States to be completed for
\ N years under the provisions of the
imitation Of ornaments treaty, went
uto the measured mile course off
uS port today shortly after sunrise
br standardization trial under
/ Init displacement.
OMcial corrected figures given out
y the trial board late tonight show
n that the fastest mile was made
The rate OF 21.6G knots an hour
With her propellors turning at 1S3
n;putions per minute.
Conditions we're ideal, except for
slight haze and a heavy swell
While the superdreadnaught under
Eent her trials. Twenty four runs
hginning at nine knots and increas-
ing In groups of three at stated
Ipstds were made until the high
Eeeds we're reached. The average
d runs at higher speeds was said
10 have been 2l.4 knots.
The sharp PROV of the giant ship
made q comparatively small, low
wave even when maximum speed
va being developed. Naval observ-
~ commented upon the fine be-
hyior OF the ship which was man.
Rd BY her regular crew with Cap
40 Thomas j. Sem commanding.
While the United States has not
Rpt pace with Japan and England
y 70 size and speed of its first line
iaN the West Virginia is in many
aspects the most powerful fighting
hchlne aaoat, and embodies equip
neat and devices which were the
n'come Of lessons taught by the
nttle Of Jutland.
Her length OF 624 feet falls 76
M short Of the new Japanese bat
s'snip Matsu and Nagato, but her
van OF W feet is two feet in ex-
q OF those croft. In displacement
" American ship is considerably
sner than her Japanese rivals,
aa'lns weight of $1,000 tons, as
against $500 tons for the latter.
Ensland's proudest contribution
y ae Hood. Al 200 tons. and $50
w. long, but the Hood Is of the
'ssue'cruiser type, much lighter in
.Iof and armament. England adds
rs ighting force, however, two
the Nelson and Rodney,
'alcn Will be larger and more pow
t,a than either the Matsu or the
'sst Virginia.
iue West Virginia is electrically
."tn, and when she went into COM
'S Te 1t marked the completion
N ."cie Sans Electric Fleet,
w r"a numbers five super-dread-
~ '.ss The two Curtis steam
sr.n generators are designed to
,'Ge spp l2,6o0 kilowatts at a speed
H., NV revolutions per minute, to
,.on. me snip Il knots. and her pom
,~"N motors, capable of supplying
~ 10 city of 100000 popula-
u, u uSVelop $1,000 horsepower. The
i , sshs have a capacity of 1,40O
sallons of oil. which is sufficient
AIRY the ship 10000 miles.
senpelled to fight the West
M s'iA can take a stand 20 miles
s ~, ner enemy and her battery OF
y ne io,inch guns can drop eight
~ \ VI steel and explosives on their
:, providing the traditional gun.
-. VI the American crews is ir
re west Virginia is commanded
,hso ar'alh Thomas Jones Sem
~ H.. last command was the North
olsea' Which the West Virgins
, ,nS,'' He is u native of South
IysI and was appointed to the
n academy from that state In
! me ship has on board during
n lids r.a her full complement Of