Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-06-19
FROM WASHINGTON.
Letter from Seer etary Whitney 10 Attor.
ney General Garland. Concerning the
United States Steamer Dolphin.

WASHINGTON, June Is.
| An official letter from Secretary Whitney.
concerning the Dolphin, was sent to Attorney
General Garland, today. He encloses a copy
of the report of the board appointed by him
on the 18th of April, last, to examine and re-
port on the dispatch boat Dolphin, and says
| Il desire you to examine this report I'd ad-
wise me, what, upon law applicable TO this
case, is my duty in the premises, facts and
| circumstances connected with this examna-
| ton. and matters with reference to which
desire advice. are briefly as follows; Imme-
diately after my accession to this
office, papers were presented to me
me tor my signature, accepting the Dolphin
| in behalf OF the government. Upon cursory
examination of the papers made for the pur-
| pose OF determining to what extent had re-
sponslbihty in the matter, my attention was
attracted to the singular looseness of the con-
tract. There was notable absence of effect
| i've stipulations, as it seems to me. There
was, however, one positive requirement in
tended to insure certain minimum power.
which provided that on her trial trip 1.-THE
collective Indicated horse power developed
by said engines under the prescribed condi-
tions shall be 2300, and maintained success
fully for six consecutive hours. provided that
in case of failure of the development OF this
power the vessel shall be accepted
| if it can be showd to the satisfaction of the
naval advisory board and secretary of the
navy that this failure was due neither to
workmanshi nor material. This trial hav-
ing been had in Long Island Sound, under
conditions favorable in main, she had yet
failed of meeting this requirement, having
developed but 2llS horse power for six
hours. The naval advisory board, in refer
ring to this, had stated that they were of the
opinion that this deficiency was not to defec-
tive workmanship nor materials, but with
better coal and well trained engineer force
these results will be exceeded. For the pur-
pose of varifying the prediction and to satisfy
myself, as appeared to be my duty, I wrote
on the Goth of March, suggesting to the con-
tractor another trial. As ,he place of trial
had been fixed in Long Island Sound by per-
sons authorized under the contract to pre-
scribe the condition of the trial, and as the
terms were not more severe than those ex-
acted by other nations, expected an immed-
late favorable reply to this reasonable re-
quest. 1t was acceded to on the fifth of
May, over six weeks having elapsed. In the
meanwhile an examination of the dealings Of
the department with the contractor and es-
pecially the manner in which reserved pay
ments had been surrendered to the contractor
induced me to select three competent persons
to make a thorough examination for
the purpose of my advisement and as
to, O) whether the contract had been prop
erly performed; (2) as to the defects in the
vessel; (3l as to the responsibility of the de-
fects observed, if any. The result of that
examination, made with great patience and
intelligence. is herewith submitted for your
consideration. l now desire an examination
of the contract and law by you, that 1 may
| ha aAv xubat thar tha
ernment, have on my hands that which is
in the nature of bad bargain or broken con-
tract. The report demonstrates that the gov
eminent has not got in the Dolphin what
Congress stipulated for and what should
have been obtained. There are three general
subjects to be considered by the board; 1st
speed. 2nd strength. Sd general workmanship.
Referring to the speed of the Dolphin, Sec
retary Whitney calls attention to the fact
that the appropriation was for the construc-
tion of despatch vessel, to have sea speed
of 10 knots. 1t has been shown, he says,
that for a sea speed of Is knots, smooth
water speed must be ,over measured distance,
from IL to Is knots. Therefore, it was the
just expectation OF Congress that the pro
jected despatch vessel would show at least
l71 knots on her trial. Her highest speed
for six hours was Is knots, and che has not
at any time developed and maintained for
six hours the 2300 horse power required by
the contract. The trials indicated, the sec
retary says, that instead OF being despatch
boat of 10 knots. she is capable of but IL or
: ID knots, sea speed. In regard to her power
the trials have shown that she is not Of re.
quisite stiffness, this being indicated BY her
vibration when under way. and by the effect
Of An unequal load, as was seen when small
quantity of pig iron was loaded on her for.
ward, causing her machinery to get out OF
line and her journals to heat. Her last two
trials, according to the report, were accom-.
plished only with stream of water pouring
on her journals during the trips. These facts
seem TO the board to indicate great structural
weakness, to what extent only sufficient sea
trial will demonstrate. The third, as to the
general character of workmanship, is crit
cised by the board very strongly. The whols
matter comes to the end that this government
is not receiving what in expected and what il
had right to expect from the construction
of this vessel. The question which desired
answered Is whether the department has il
the matter had bargain simply which is be
tween the contracting parties it must stant
to, or has it broken contract, emitting i
to insist on something better? In connection
with this question l desire to be advised
what is the effect of tho circumstance tina
the construction has been supervised by gov
ernment officials, the material passed as sufi
cient, and the workmanship similarly ap
proved from time to time during the con
struction. The contract provides for thi
supervision and inspection, and am advise,
that it has taken place - the work has pro
Creased. II the supervision and inspeciior
that has been had u . bar, % that the depart