The Washington critic. (Washington City, D.C.) 1890-1890, 1890-02-16
M VAL NE US.

Ma VAL NE VS..
The quarrels on board ship have fur
nished the naval gossips and coniecturists
with abundant material during the week.
The troubles of McCalla and of Walker
have not surprised the stay-at-homes, and
now that the ice is broken by disagreeable
rumors the usual "reminiscences of the two
officers are given. 1t is generally asserted
that Admiral Walker designated Comman-
der Mackenzie as executive of the Chicago
at the request of the vessels commander
Captain Robson, and not on the principle
of friendliness and good fellowship, which
was exercised In the selection of other Off
GERS of the evolutionary squadron. Ad-
miral Walker and Commander Mackenzie
came in conflict several times before the Chi
cago left New York for Boston. On one
occasion, when photographer was secur-
ing scenes for publication, he appealed
to the executive of the Chicago for the
momentary cessation of work in the vicinity
of 'view." This request was denied alb
ruptly, whereupon Walker, turning to the
executive, said: "Mackenzie, order those
men to stop work. Several instances of
this kind, guarantees of no good-feeling
between the Admiral and the executive,
were left behind by the squadron, and
when joined here by rumors from abroad
of arrests, suspensions and closed hatch
ways they have point other than their
insignifcance.
The committee composed of Pay In
spector Kenny, Assistant Engineer F. G.
Bieg, Commander G. NJ. Chester, and Med
zeal Inspector II. NJ. Wells, which has had
in charge the work of harmonizing the line
and staff of the Navy, has dissolved. The
committee after several hopeful meetings
were unable to reach an understanding,
the old question of rank interfering. A
bill was considered which met favorable
comment in both line and staff 1t is vir-
tually the Phythian bill, save that IL in
cludes more, giving all staff officers posi-
tive, instead of relative, rank. The dissolu-
ton of the committee, however, leaves the
matter as heretofore-two distinct elements
In the service, one antagonistic to the
others interest, and each detrimental to its
own.
There is every indication that the Bath
Iron Works will be awarded the contract
for the construction of gunboats and 6.
General Hyde, president of the company,
was informed by Secretary Tracy some
weeks ago that this would be the result,
and the Bath people have begun extensive
preparations. The new spapers of the State
regard the award as an indication of the
future of the State, and General Hyde is
getting some fattering praise for his sue
cess. He is quite prominent man In his
State, an intimate of Blaine and the one
time host of Harrison. He has the sup
port of the Maine delegation, and if 1t
were question of influence the contracts
would go to Bath.
The projectiles for the new trial of the
inc how M tn ba
filled with gun-cotton. The Navy Depart
ment has decided that full compliance
with the terms of the contract demands
that each gun throw 200 pounds of actual
explosive one mile. The test of last Octo-
Der was made with that weight of sand and
sawdust. The ordering of explosive gel
latino from Glasgow would consume several
months time, and gun-cotton has been
substituted. The final trial of the Yesuvius
will take place in few weeks, apparently.
The Navy Department has invited com,
petitive trials of armor plates, to be held at
Annapolis during May. Only two notices
of an intention to compete have been re-
ceived by the Bureau of Ordnance, Red
mond Tilford and the International Steel
Company. A board of naval officers will
be designated to direct the trial. Any
aImorplate conforming to the require
ments of the Department will be purchased
for the Navy at price previously agreed
upon.
The board of officers detailed by Secre
tary Tracy to examine the tug Volunteer
offered to the Navy for $4,000, will make
another visit Of inspection to Baltimore
The tug will probably be accepted.
Naval Constructor Phelix Hichborn O
the Navy will be ordered to Boston mex
week to inspect the work of construction
on cruiser No. IL, now building at tn,
works of Harrison Loring.
Commodore Folger was at the Navy De
partment yesterday, and will take charg,
of the Bureau of Ordnance on Monday
Chief Clerk Sailer has been in charge sine,
January 10.
Lieutenant William II. Stayton of tn,
Marine CORPS has been selected as clerk o
the moot court of the Columbia Law
School. He is member of the post grad
uate class.
Chief Engineer Alexander Henderson o
the Navy, who is on duty at Boston, Will
visit this city next week, accompanied b.
Mrs. Henderson.
Lieutenant r. NJ. G. Brown of the Marin
Corps is confined to his home by illness.