The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-09
NOT FAITHFUL STEWARDS
Neglect Of Duty on the Part Of
Mare Island Navy Yard
Officials.
The Alert Not Properly Repaired
According to Surveys and
Instructions.
The Men at Fault Relieved I'm Disvraca
by the Departm mont-Their Man
ifold Shortcomings.

WASHINGTON, April 8.-About six months
ago repairs were completed upon the United
States steamer Alert at Mare island navy
yard and the vessel put in commission.
which means that she received full COM
plement of officers and men and was ready
to go to sea. But the |. vessel did not sail,
and she is to-day at her berth, waiting Or
ders. 1t was reported that the repairs were
SO unsubstnntial in character that it would
be dangerous for the vessel to 90 to sea.
On tie other hand, there were disagreeabe
rumors that certain officers did not want to
sailin the vessel, as they preferred newer
cruisers and were trying to cause a sea-
worthy vessel to be condemned. Boards
and surveys were ordered there, and it is
said that all their reports indicate
that the repairs had been badly done;
that the inner skin of the vessel had not
been properly renewed; that serious defects
had been covered over with paint, and that
the boilers were liable to sink through it.
This state of affairs led the department to
order an investigation on the following
lines:
"Has there been any neglect of duty or
careless ness on the part of any officer of
the navy or employe of tho navy yard at
Mare island, in preparing the Alert for sea?
If SO, state the name or names of such
officer or officers, or empleye or employees,
and the particulars of carelessness in each
cAse.'' 0
The board of inquiry made report,
which was made public to-day, to the fol-
lowing effect: Naval Constructor Feaster
has been careless in the supervision of the
repairs upon the Alert, and neglectful in
examinations of the work as it progressed.
which resulted in serious defects in the ship
being passed over without repairs, and in
unsatisfactory workmanship in the repairs
made. Master Shipwright Williamson was
negligent III the performance of duty en-
trusted to him in the immediate direction
OF the first repairs, prior to Nov, "a, 1890,
which WAS the immediate cause of serious
defects in the ship being passed over with
out repair, and in omitting the important
work of scaling the corroded surface before
painting. Master Ship Filter Artlas Web
ster was negligent in the performance Of his
duty in not exacting proper workmanship
in repairs made upon the double bottom OF
the Alert subsequent to Nov. 26, 1890, and
in not properly carrying out the recon-
mendation of the boards of survey by fail
ing to remedy defects which were specially
mentioned.
These findings have been approved by the
navy department and Naval Constructor
Feaster has been relieved from duty at
Mare Island, Master Ship Filter Webster
has been discharged, as was Master Ship
wright Williamson. The board, composed
of Commodore Irwin. Commander Bart
lett, Constructor Fernald, Assistant Con-
structor Stahl and Chief Engineer Kutz,
have been ordered to survey the Alert again
and report what repairs are necessary, while
Constructor Fernald has been ordered to
assume charge of these repairs.