New-York tribune., 1886-01-09
SECRETARY WHITyErs EXPERTS.
WHY THEIR REPORT is LIKELY TO BE UNFAvoE-
ARIE-EEEECIs OLE LILLE STORM.


ABLE-EFFECTs OF THE STORM.
The Poard of Experts who had in hand the
inspection of the dispatch-boat Dolphin during
her recent brilliant cruise under the command of
Captain Richard W. Meade, have been hard at work
on their report the Secretary Of the Navy since their
return to shore and their recovery from the depressing
effects of the storm. 1t is believed that their report
went to Washington yesterday, and all shipping men
are watching the outcome with interest. Every
connection and branch ot the shipping interest have
a ntiyely followed all the steps in the persecution OF
John Roach and the political scuttling OF the Dolphin,
and the ship captains ownts engineers and agents of
NewYork expect great things from the extraordinary
Board who now represent the Naval Der arment.
Its composition is such as 10 excite the apprel ension
that soIoe attempt will be made to dscredit the vessel
de spite her remarkable achievement in the gale Its
head is Captain George ashington Brown. He is
not in the Navy and commsndsd an iron ship in
his life, so far as shipping men know. lie once had
charge of a brig, and that says Captain Tom
Morton "went to the bottom" For nearly dozen
years he has been TN employe of the marine under
writer's For two years he has been detective to the
underwriters. whom he serves by going wherever
risk has been damaged wrecked. and by estimating
the lose. When he was appointed 10y Mr.. whitney ior
this duty lie asked by au old sea captain, why.
what dol you know about an iron slnpi You never
commanded one nor built one ~ oh, we'll" he is
reported to have replied, bave been passenger on
several" The true inwardness OF Captain Browns
appontment seems to be his intimate personal rcla-
tions to Captain Belknap but shipping men who have
heard him condemn the Dolphin the severest terms
find it difficult TO believe that the Secretary knew any
moro abOpt Captain Brown than the captain is re-
puted to know abo,t iron ships He was guest oi his
friend Captain Belknap. when the latter, who never
commanded an iron ship himself, sailed on the
noInbin in her frat series sf trial trips Those who
tl,o will
who condemned the boat almost before sue was wen
under way An old SEQ captain OF the Paeihe man
steamship Line, who has eommanued seEerm severn A." A..
vessels in TIE waters of both oceans. has known hif.
Brown Tor twenty years. lie was on the Dolphin on
her outside tip Cape May. ant engaged in number
OF conversations with Brown, IN al oi wInh the
latter's language was strongly cordemnatory. An
edor as made have him specify wherein the vessei
was bad, but his objections to her were niaioiS
expresse III the statement that she ia no good. 49,
Another EXPERT is Captain Steele OF Boston His
knowledge Of iron ships is confined to an experience oi
fifty days the first trip OF the Alameda Whlcn me ne
claims to have been instrumental IN having bnt iiis
real experience with river boats on the Chins
rivers where lie employed for five years. ne hls
never been in the Navy aud on what gronhn ne Was
II m ed AS q fit man 10 test the construction and quality
of a modern ship OF war, no one In the service can
! fancy. The thnd member OF the Board Is more
entitled TO public confidence. though even he Is not
naval man and is not versed in modern and improved
engineering lie is Mr.. Hoag az one tire partner OF
MIR Archibald, Secretary Whnneys p,na iLenni haa
From conversations held with the two so-ealicd
captains Brown and Steele. several naval officers and
shpping masters beieye that the report ot tls Board
will be unfavorable the esse These persons say
that both Brown and Steele acKnoN ledge that they
were thoroughly seasick during the stormy part oi the
cruise and yet both oi them peoh-pooh the gale.
Were YOU sea-sick that you had 10 take TO yolr
cabin ?" Cant sin Steele was asked yesterday.
Well yesr he answered, the air below was foul
"Nas Brown sick too y
"Yrs we were all sick" 49,
"WelI how do you know how thevesscl behaved If
you were in such distressP z
lur report will show that
Captain Brown acknowledged that the vessel made
over eleven knots an hour during the worst OF the
storm when NJ .ade driving her at a fifteen knot
ate through the water This is consdeTed phen nena
time for boat only 2l0 icet long. Her propeller was
ont of the water fully 80 per cent OF the time lie hso
sand that tie vessel not damaged or strained
during the gale notN bstandiug Captain Meads
daring experiments Captain Brown told sea captain
II 1T when tbe vessel put in at Hampton Roads Meade
Hent TO Washington 10 report 10 Secretary w hithey
From private information ~ known tbat ms repre-
senalicns OF the erase would have been glowlnsy IN
the Dolphin's favor. When he reached Washington
and presented Limse the Secretary he was rece'ed
ooldiy, "What are you doing here. sir y the Secfe,
tar, /. said 10 have asked d" came TO report SIT:
Were you directed 10 reportp No. eli, but,
"Yoa will please return your ship, Captain heade'
and the Captain returned. The effort to break down
The Dolphin is apparently not yet abandoned though
il cannot be brilliant success TIL crew Is put oh
loord NJ ber IA inc xorriepced a. the experts