New-York tribune., 1886-01-08
MIR. WHITNEYS EXPERTS SEASICK.
RUNNING THE DOLPHIN IN A HEAVY GALE.
THE EXAMINERS UNABLE TO TELL HOW THE DIS

TIE EXAMINERS UNABLE TO TELL HOW THE DIS
PATCH BOAT BEHAVED IN BADiwEATnER.
The Dolphin has temr orariy ceased from her labors
and the ofcial statement Of her experiences in the
rough waters of the Gulf Stream, together with the
comments upon and deductions from those exptences
are awaited with anxiety in many quarters. Inc
persons who are to make the official report Board
OF Experts or Examiners Besides this Board, the
captain in command of the vessel, Richard w. Meade
an officer of thirty years experience and fine war
re cord viii also make report though 1t IA rnmored
that since rendering his oral report to Secretary
Whitney he has been directed not to present written
one just at this time
The Board of Exports is composed of Captain Brown
Engineer Harg. and a Mr. Stuler. CaI tain Brown Is
the brother n-aw of Captain Belknap, who it will be
remembered was the head of the other Board OF
Experts who called crank pin journal and NAM
tanned that its heating caused by the shifting oil
ballast in the vessels hold statement at which naval
constructors and engineers are not yet done aufhng
Captain Beknaps Board further dsting nguished Itself
by insisting that the juggling OF glasses on shelf While
the ship WIS running at the rate OF sixteen knots an
hour was a sign of " structural weakness" Engineer
Harg is not in the Navy, anc never was. Many years
ago he was the partner of Mr. Arclibld in the engine
building business in Philadelphia Mr.. Archibald Is
one of Secretary whitneys appoiI tees on the Naval
who resigned when the work of hunting down Mr.
Roach was being most vigorously prosecuted. 1t is
not known that Engineer Isrg ever bullt modern
engine. Mr. Staler was formerly emplo7e oil W. II.
Webb, when he built wooden ships More Ieoer tly
he has been a draughtsman OF yachts.
This is the new Board of - Experts who went on
the recent trial trip Of the Dolphin. and who are
expected to tell whether or not she IL good SNIP
hey had an opportunity of seeing the ship under
circnmstapoes which were an extreme test Of her
abilities The start was made from Newport and the
first run was made to Cape Henry. The distance "a
$40 miles and it was completed in just twenty-ioir
hours aud fifty minutes, according to the oDclal log
This is fourteen knots an hour During three hours of
the run trihe over fifteen knots was made ana
throughout the whole run the vessel behaved like n
ruler of the sea. Captain Meade had announced his
purpose Of putting the Dolphin through such a storm
as would indisputably test her qualities as a naval
vessel When he left Cape Henry, therefore, be went
South looking for n storm Just below Hatteras, with
an easterly wind he struck gale that lasted an entire
day The wind blew slxty miles al hour aud the soa
was blown into tremendous waves. Tho captain turned
the BOAT right into the gale and LET her fly Her
engines worked at their best efforts, and she main
taired the rate of fourteen knots an hour during the
heaviest part OF the days weather. Soon the sea
became boiserous. and nobody could keep above the
decka which were being washed by repeated waves
At length a particularly heavy sea was encountered
The gratiugs around the pothouse, which IA ten lee
above ihe deck were torn away ana washed on inc
wafer came through the yentaOis fourteen feet above
the dcck down into the cnginero0m. At this perlths
moment the ship was going al its full rate OF speed
and was bearing ITS burden bravely. II there hal been
structural weakness then was the time " rhoud
have been apparent After few bours OF this kind of
trial Captain Meade thought the test sui cient. and
ordered her engines lowered down 10 rate OF nine ana
a aaf knots Then TO use the language oi an oIlc'r
on board her " she rode tho storm like duck III
mill pond Big seas swept under bcr Ike genuo
caIo->cs.
The splendid opportunity Tor making observations
was NOT improved by the experts. They were not on
her storm swcpt dtcks nor were they upon her top
masts swinging with the Wild gale They were not IN
the engine room watching the regular and pow werful
youtionA OF the ensine They we're not looking AZ
The crank pins 10 il thoy had become aled nor
were they placing glasses she'll and listening 10
hear il they jnglod above the din of the ho"ling
elements the true naval test Of STIR ctural weaK-
meas" Secretary Whitney, hardy mariners. who
were to tell hun II the Dolpnin good boat were
violently seaSick. There have been souie DOUBT
about the vessels structural weakness but their
own was painfully apparent. They we're All three
lie, ally ami hguratiytly " In the same boat
II is believed that by this time. however. they have
recovered, and nj work upon their report 10 the
Secretary "a what they observed during those iae
fnl moments. Rumors rXtaut that Captain Meade
verbal report did not wholly satisfy Mr. whitney, and
II # he has been ordered continue his cruise. Ihe
complaint is made by officers OF the Dolphin that her
speed and horsepower during the trip were dimn-
ished by tho TACT that the soft coal us,d dirty and
that her Temon not at all accustomed to the use