New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-10-27
CURTAILJNG OFFICERS QUABTEHS.
A DEFECTIVE ARRANGEMENT OF ROOMS ON THE
NEW wAR-SHIPS.

NEW WAN-SblfS.
Philadelphia Oct. GO Cspecisp Navy officers who
have visited the new cruiser Baltimore since work
was begun fitting mp the cabins wardroom. steeragc
and the quarters for the enlisted much dis
satisfied with the sacrifices that have been made In the
warlroOm and Junior and warrant officers quarters
for the benefit OF the flag and commanding Officers
The original plans have been much changed since
they were purchased by Secretary whitney from the
Naval Constructor Of the British Navy, and those who
worked upon the modnc atoms before General Tracy
succeeded To the Portfolio OF the Navy were evil
IDENTIFY regardless Of what any other officers needed,
outside of tho admiral and captain This rearrangc-
mcnt or modification of quarters seems to, have pre-
vailed throughout Secretary whitney's administration
Tho plans Of the quarters for the officers OF the Chi
cago were so changed that that part Of the vessel
originally set Oft for the accommodation of the Junior
and warrant officers made subservient to the &C
commodstions for the admiral and the commanding
officer The quarters for the junior officers on the
Boston and Atlanta UNNECESSARILY superior to those
on the Chicago any Of the newer vessels but they
were nearly finished before Mr.. Whitney became sec
rotary of the Navy The discrimination made between
the wsrdroom and the cabin the Yorktown has been
the cause Of much dissatisfaction among the officers
For instance, the cabin enlarged from the original
plan by including the apartment originally designed
for tho torpedo manipulating room, thus giving il the
appearance Of grand saloon rather than the cabin OF
a commander OF a war-vesscL The wardrO0m on the
Vesuvlus Is even contracted, there not being
room in the space between the stateroOms for
dining table, It being a passage
TO provide place for the officers TO cat there Is
house on deck but this would certainly have TO be
removed in case of action.
The original plans Of the Baltimore provided for the
captains cabin, staeroOm. lavstOry and O1ice and
the executive officers office the poopdeck but
within limited space, such as is usual vesseLof
war The plans have been changed, however, 50 that
the captains cabin Is 10 be double the size originally
designed. The amended plans also give the captain
two stateroOms. The admlrals cabins at the
after-end of the berthdeck and these have been in
creased TO the size those for the captain OF
course the main cabin saloon, will be used for
the reception Of dignares who may visit the ship but
they could as well be smaller vessel war, whore
luxurious apartments are not expected The question
Is naturally asked: Why should admiral
commander of vessel require two sfateroomS? The
regulations Of the service do not allow the family Of
either 10 travel with him, therefore ought 10
be sufficient. Forward Of the various apartments set
bulkhead, IS the wadroOm. with eight stateoomS
each side but by the increase OF quarters for the ad
miral, the warroom has been showed twenty feet fur
Their forward. thus eucroaching thar much upon the
stecrage. The result Is that the Storage Is curtaled
tO small space the siarboard side. and meagrrly
sufficient for the accommodation of the junior officers
while that on the port side, for the warrant officers
has been absorbed for the necessary accommodation
Of the war1room officers.