New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-05-16
AFFAIkS or THE NEH NAVY.
YARD-REPoRrs OF THE WORK on
THE NEW CRUISERS itr


Washington, May I5-Naval officers read with much
interest the brief account In The Tribune sun
day of the leakage through two of the seams Of the
new cruiser Baltimore caused by her being strained
In the dock al Norfolk q few days ago. It was
the first detailed account OF the matter published
The special Board appointed by secretary Tracy to
examine, test and report upon the seeming detective
ness of the dock will meet at Norfolk May 90, and
will give the structure thorough test This Board
Is appointed upon the strength of report OF the
Civil Engineer of the Norfolk Navy Yard that he had
evidence TO show that the bottom Of the dock had
sunk when the baltimore put into it, thus causing
the ship to be strained. The builders Of the dock
confident that the investigation will show the strength
and efficiency Of the dock to be unimpaired. The
Board will have The receiving ship Franklin the
largest manofwar in the world at the time she was
built and one Of the largest ships now In the Navy,
being of registered displacement Of 5,16O tons, put
into the dock, If it is possible get her ont Of the
bed Of mud In which she has l,ln for years. The
Norfolk Navy Yard dock is like the opened at the
New York yard last week.
The Bureau OF Construction and Repair has re-
ceived reports Of the progress OF work on the new
vessels under construction for the Navy The founda-
tions Of the gunboats, Nos. and s. at the Bath.
Me-, Iron Works. have been laid. and work the
laying Of the keel has begun. The material for the
hull has been ordered the moulds have been made and
the new tools being received. The company Is
equippng Itself with TOOLS 10 be In condition to
bid on larger vessels and do additional contract work
for the Government. The work the new battleship
Maine, at the NewYork yard is progressing salts
factorily and she will be launched in less than six
months The keels for the new Cruiser No. 7, also
building at the NewYor yard have been placed. the
frames being put down. and the sterpost has been
cast.
The work on Cruisers Nos. and 10, at the Co
lumbar Iron Works. Baltimore, has made so much
progress that the contractors have received two pay
ments. The company promises that there will be no
such delay as there with he work the gun
boat Petrol The two sternposts have been cast. ana
nearly all the other materials for construction have
structlon Of the battleship Texas at the. Norfork
yard is due in part faults in the sfernpost. The
frst one cast failed to pass the test Of the in,
spectors and the second Is reported detective.
The plates which failed 10 pass the acid test have
been sent back 10 Pttsburg and new plates arc being
received I'm their stead The eurboat bennington Is
nearly ready be launched at Chester, and her
sistership the Concord, has gone to New York to be
finished. Both vessels require considerable joiner
work. but the Concord will be ready for the
tractors trial trip in few weeks The new cruiser
san Francisco nearly completed at the Union Iron
Works. san Francisco, will be ready for the com
tractors trial In about SIX weeks.
secretary Tracy, knowing that much Of the material
on hand the navy yards cannot be used. has
determined 10 dispose Of it. large amount Of such
and Boston stations, and will soon De advertised foE