National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-04

The Post Of the 30th, announcing that
the Dolphin was at Newport, R. l., says; "As
soon as the compasses have been corrected
the Dolphin will he sent in search of great
stormn
This is remarkable way Of trying new
ship. The Dolphin had sea trial once in
accordance with express orders from Secre-
tary Whitney and made fifteen knots an
hour. Upon hearing this the Secretary, in
a sweet, gentle, and impartial temper.
issued the following;
NAVY DEPARTMENT, June l2.-To GAIT
GEORGE L. BELkNAr, President Board, Navy
Yard, New York: Yesterdays trial was, as
you know, wholly valueless. 1t occurred with.
out my orders or knowledge. find that the
orders were given here in my absence under
mistake. To test her strength when subjected
10 the strain ofa heavy sea was the object of
the trial. do not doubt her ability TO run
thirteen knots an hour in smooth water
want to know whether she is structurally weak
or not. Putting her into heavy sea at speed
not trying to her machinery was the condition
you asked for Has yesterday trial aided yOuin
determining this matter? If not require such
tests to be had within the next week asyou may
deem necessary for the purpose. Have the
board stay In New York until this is settled.
DO this unless you prefer to make your report
based on your present information.
w. c. WHITSEY, Secretary.
Thus admcnished by their Secretary, who
evidently knew what kind Of report the
board was organized to make, they hastened
to give him thatreport without another trial.
They reported that the Dolphin was
"structurally weak" because of the ''per-
ceptible vibration" which they felt (fllled
liquor glasses wouldn't stay full on the
cabin table,, and thereupon Secretary Whit
ney broke up Mr.. Roachs shipyard, and
drove him into making an assignment.
Having taken possession Of the Dolphin he
determined to make another extraordinary
trial Of the ship. lie put an able Demo-
cratic captain in command, took out Chief
Engineer Morley, who was familiar with her
machinery, put new engineers in charge,
and sent her out, as the Post says, in search
of "a great storm.n The Post Of Sunday
has the following:
THE DOLrnIN lN A GALE-A STORM ENCoUN-
TERED WHICH MADE Born OFFICERS AND
MRN SEAsICK.-Capt. Meade, of the Dolphin, is
In Washington, but as yet he has not made his
official report to the Secretary of the Navy.
He declines to be interviewed with regard to
the performance Of his ship. The Dolphin
sailed from New York for the capes, and thence
turned toward the BcrmudGs in search of
gale, She encountered twenty. fourhour
gale, during which the wind reached velocity
of seventy miles an hour. The vessel was
placed in several trying positions with regard
to the sea, and the shaking.up which the
officers and crew received made them all sea.
sick. The ship made twelve knots an hour
throughout the gale, and from this Il is inferred
that her performances were very good. II is
not learned that she suffered any damages.
She reached Fortress Monroe Friday.
No doubt Secretary Whitney was de-
lighted when he learned that the Dophms
performances We're very good lie was
almost dying to hear that she was a strong,
fleet, and perfect ship Capt, Meade, after
q long interview with the Secretary, in
which the latter had an opportunity to
show how report could be made which
would save from popular condemnation the
eXamiEing board and Secretary, doubtless
rushed to Attorney General Garland's
Office to give him the glorious information
and learn how to make report which
WOulu Ec III accordance with the opinion
Of the Department Of Justice that the
government never had any contracts with
Mr. Roach
We are surprised that 1t was deemed
necessary that Capt. Meade should see Mr..
Whitney before making his report. We
had supposed that the Secretary gave him
the points Of the report before he sailed.
a., ha ta1 a NJ hat
ship was structurally weak, but that 1t
could not be discovered that the weakness
was due to defective materials and work
manship. This, he thought, would salye
his observatory superintendent and save
himself, and yet allow him to terminate the
suit in the court Of claims of Mr.. ROach's
assigncCs for the balance due on the Dol