The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-27
Loss of the Serpent Induces Radical
Changes in the Gunboat
Bennington.
They Had Been Under Considera-
ton, However, for Some
Time Past.
Vessels Of That Glass Pitch and Roll Too
Heavily and Ship Too Much
Water.

WAsHrN0roN, Nov, 26.-Several important
alterations have just been ordered by the
navy department in the 1.7OO-ton vessel,
which is now approaching
Were it not known that these
at least some of them-had
been under consideration for several weeks,
the inference would be drawn at once that
they were due to the Cape Finisterre dis
aster, so directly do they bear upon the
criticisms which have been passed upon the
ill-fated Serpent. Indeed. it is possible
that the disaster may have brought to q
prompter conclusion the decision now
reached in the case of the Bennington.
This vessel, like her sister ships. the York
town and the Concord, is modelled, as is
we'll known, upon the Archer class of the
British navy, to (Which the Serpent belonged.
One of the main criticisms upon that type
is that they pitch and roll heavily and take
aboard too much 1water, and accordingly
are not only uncomfortable. even in a mod
crate sea, but cannot be relied upon to serve
their batteries with accuracy. The testi-
mony of the survivors of the Serpent is
that she had suffered several mishaps in the
gale off the Spanish coast before she ran
upon the reef. This is not surprising. ainoe
an official report from very high officers,
based upon the performances of six of the
Archer class in regular maneuvres, had de-
clared that the vessels were crank, in conse-
quence of their excessively heavy armament
and of being too heavily weighted forward.
But the performance of the Yorktown in
her trip TO the Mediterranean had also led
our own navy department to some notable
conclusions. It was found that the Atlanta
and Boston were able to keep in fleet for
nation during heavy weather which forced
A. A. A.
two former vessels had the low free board
fore and aft. designed for giving her guns
an unobstructed fire, which had been 80
much objected to as likely to interfere with
buoyancy. Il was found that the York
town, which 10 built with raised forecastle
and poop decks, in rough weather was apt
to take on q good deal Of water. and to be
long in getting rid of it. The Yorktown
has not adequate freeing ports on her main
deck. and hence heavy weight of water is
likely to remain too long confined there,
especially when she gets into the trough OF
the sea, and the water is held as in tank.
Accordingly, several weeks ago. compet-
emit officers were directed to examine this
subject, with the view of seeing what alter
atoms could be made in the Bennington,
and perhaps, aftervard, in the Yorktown
and Concord. which arc completed. Their
calculations and report have been made,
and are the basis of the present decision.
The Bennington u now rugged a. three
maated schooner. with sail area of 400
square feet. She has topgallant forecastle
and poop decks, with an open gun deck be-
tween. On each Of the two former are
mounted two six-iEch guns. while two are
carried amidships at height Of about ten
feet above water. The alterations author-
lied are. to begin with. the extension of The
poop and foreoastle until thoy meet, thus
giving her q flush spar deck. But while
this new construction would remove the
objection to holding too long the weight Of
sea taken aboard, yet the additional
vsi4ht q ~ 0sok might seriously