The National tribune., 1891-04-30

the facts connected with the strandng Of the
United States steamer Gaena and the tug
Nina, last month. has reported to the Navy
Department that Lieut. Commander George a.
Bickneil, who WAS In command Of the vessels
was responsible for the Disaster. Secretary
Tracy has accordingly ordered a court martial
20 assemble at the New IOrl, Navy yard, A pril
% 20 try Lieut. Commander Bicknell on a
charge OF negligence IN suffering two vessels
Of tho Navy 10 be stranded near Gay Head
Light, Marthas Vineyard Island, Mass, on tine
lsG uitimO" The martial will be CON-
posed Of Capt. K. +. Bradford, Capt. A. +. Cooke,
Commander Merrill Miller. Commander f. Il.
Woodward, Commander F. II. Cooper. Com
mander A. s. CrOwnnshield. Commander G. J.
Barclay. Lieut. Commander T.. $. Houston,
Lieut.. Commander Louis Kingsley, aud Lieut..
:. e.. Lemly, Judge-Advocate. The Galena was
locked at the Portsmouth Navy-yard on April
-, 10 enable the Board Of Survey to ascertain
the extent Of her Injuries.
Ensign George f. Ormsby. U. s. Navy, has
begun suit against VIM. C. Whitney, ex-Secre-
tary Of the Navy. for $4,000 damages. Ormsby
was stopping at Richmond Springs in Septem-
ber 1888 and was ordered 10 report 10 the
Mare Island Navy-yard, Cal, for duty on the
Mononsahela, but be failed 20 report, pleading
sickness which plea was not accepted. Ormsby
says he was imprisoned at the Mare Island
Yard from Jan. % % March Z, 1889, by order
OF the Secretary, without cause or authority,
and asserts that Mr.. Whitney did not at any
time furnish true copy Of the charges upon
which he was arrested, as he was bound % do
by law. The case has been sent 10 the United
States Court for the District OF New York.
An interesting and peculiar court martial ease
has lately been tried at Fort Thomas, Arizona
where two Sergcants. three COTpOra!s and y
| pTyates Of Co. T. 3ith Inf. were brought be-
| fore the tribunal, tie charges being that these
soldiers Joined ia q combination for the purpose
| of injuTing Capt 4. &. Markley, the company
commander and wrote a letter 20 the Assistant
| Adjuttut- General Of the Department contain
| ing false and malicious charges" The non
| commissioned officers were reduced 20 the
ranks, and the priyatcs sentenced to forfeiture
OF pay. Gen. McCOOk, the reviewing officer
| approved the findings but scores Capt. Markey
/ saying that 10 was in testimony that he used
| language to the company while on drill, and
| other formations which no gentleman would
use, especially no officer of the Army, and that
no circumstances coaid arise justifying such
/ vile cpitLets, and that the Captain permitted
| gambling in tho company quarters which
/ ruined the discipline Of the company. 10 is the
worst scoring any officer of the Army has ever
| received who was not ON trial.
The torpedo and the gnubOat parties in the
| Navy are having an exciting time over the
| operations in Chile The "gunhOats" were
much elated few weeks ago. when a Chilean
guuhoat blew a torpedo boat into tho middle Of
eternity by a single she'll. Now the torpedo
fellows have their innings, for a torpedo boat
has sunk the iron clad flagship Of the insurgent
fleet, with an enormous loss Of life.