Sleek and gray, the latest word in modern scout cruiser design, the USS SALT LAKE CITY, commanded by Captain Frederick L. Oliver, was launched recently from the Philadelphia Navy Yard on it first "Shakedown" cruise, a jaunt of 10,000 miles.

The big fighting ship is the latest addition to the nation's sea forces, and is the first of twenty-three 10,000 ton cruisers authorized to be guilt in the United States under terms of the Washington Arms Limitation Treaty of 1922.

The SALT LAKE CITY is the third most powerfully engined ship in the United States Navy, the airplane carriers SARATOGA and LEXINGTON alone having greater power. her four steam engines generate 107,000 horsepower, calculated to drive her through the water at a designed speed of 32.5 knots per hour. A glace at her slim, fighting lines shows that speed was uppermost in the minds of her designers.

Fine entrance lines are carried gracefully back to a slender stern, while her high, sharply flaring bow is designed to split the waves at high speed with a minimum of spray to interfere with firing the five eight-inch guns in the two forward turrets.

Aft of the two forward turrets rises the superstructure housing the communication platform, emergency platform, signal bridge and high above all, 170 feet aloft, the first control station.

Between the two funnels, so placed as to give full sweep to their operations, are two catapults, one on each side, for launching the four seaplanes which are a part of the SALT LAKE CITY's equipment. The planes carry two men each, and are designed for fighting, scouting and observation. The catapults are of secret design and closely guarded.

A secondary battery of four five inch anti-aircraft guns is located on the after tripod mast as another part of the cruiser's equipment.

The entire cruiser cost about 16,000,000. It carries 39 officers and 564 men, including a detachment of Marines. In wartime, the personnel could be increased about 10 per cent.

Quarters for both officers and crew are particularly comfortable and distinctive of design. The officers' quarters are forward, with the wardroom on the main deck and staterooms forward and below. The captain's quarters are above the wardroom. The crew is quartered aft on the second deck. These quarters are particularly commodious, compared with earlier ships of similar size.

Convenience of a small city are carried, consisting of barber shop, tailor shop, store and machine shop. A unique feature is the substitution of an electric communication device in place of the old bos'n's pipe. Loud speakers are placed in every position of the ship. Orders can be sounded from several central points into all of the loud speakers, or all loud speakers except those in a particular compartment can be cut out.

The sleek 10,000 ton cruiser, Salt Lake City, newborn of the United States Navy and first ship of its class, "Showed Off" today for the naval board of inspection and survey, passing triumphantly every rigorous test for speed and power.

On its final acceptance run, during which the board decided whether the constructor's bill to the Navy should be marked "Paid in Full," the trim man o'war cavorted about the calm Atlantic ocean some 100 miles southeast of New York harbor, fulfilling every promise made for it, and more.

The Salt Lake City's four steam turbines required to generate an average of 107,000 horsepower for four consecutive hours, ground out 110,000 horsepower for five hours. Then came the test for stability. While the ship was ploughing through the swell at 32.5 knots, the rudder suddenly was turned full over to one side - an angle of about 35 degrees. Instead of keeling sharply sideways, there was less than 10 degrees list. The cruiser executed a comparatively small figure eight, churning the calm seas into a froth topped design.

Then the cruiser set its course for New York at full speed. After about an hours sailing, to the surprise of the laud lubbers (two New York City newspaper reporters and this correspondent) aboard, the engines stopped suddenly, and then heaved a tremendous sigh. Before the landsmen could get over their amazement, the vessel started backing up at full speed.

The four propellers, drawing the boat backward at the rate of 21 knots - the average forward speed of a battleship - churned the waters high above the stern and the breeze carried a spray full over the gun turrets and up into the conning tower in the rigging.

Every bluejacket on deck climbed to aft gun turret tops to watch the scene, a treat even to old seafarers. When this test, known as immediate reverse from full ahead to full astern, was completed, the ship continued on to New York, where it staged a lone parade up the Hudson River.