New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-16
ATLANTA'S CAPTAIN OUSTED.
DISCIPLINED FOR SL0WNESS IN OBEYING
ORDERS
CAPTAIN BARTLETT SENT TO GREYTOwN TO
TAKE COMMAND OF THE CRUISER.
lBY TELEGRAPH tn THE IRInENEl

(Br TELEGRAPH TO THR TRIBUNE.
washington, May 15.--The failure OF Captain IIig
ginson promptly TO sail with the Atlanta for Ncara
qua when ordered to so BY Secretary Herbert on
Tuesday last has been followed by the summary
detachment OF that officer from his command The
effect Of this action of the Navy Department is mn
Official censurc OF Captain Higcinson's want OF zell
In an emergency when the greatest promptnes, and
riiiest Obedience were expected The pres OF a
ship mt Greytown to protect American interests was
urgently demanded. The Atlanta was known TO De
available for the service orders were sent 10 the
vessel to sail without delay. Cirtan Ilgg nson oud
have lost no time in executing the orders, and
should have sailed Immediately after coaling In
emergencies Of this kind custom and regulation make
IL obligatory upon officer TO carry ont his directions
fully and with all possible expedition. Instead Of
doing all in his power To make effective the wishes
OF his supeiors. Captain IIigeinson dia
tory tactics to prevent the Atlanta's departure.
The Alliance the Pacific Coast although under
coming repairs at the time, sailed within twenty -four
hours after receiving from the Department that
a revolution existed In Nicaragua aud that her pres
required Corinto. The Atlanta took three
days and seven hours In which to make ready for
the cruise Secretary Hcrbcrt's dissatisfaction with
Captain IIi2gnson vigorously exhibited to day.
o.ders were issued to Captain John Il. Bartlett, now
on duty on the Minnesota at NewY0rk, directing
Linn to proceed to Cireytown by May %
orders were by the secretary deach Capt In
IIIgginson from the Atlanta upon the reporting Of
bis relief and placing him on waiting orders. The
circumstances which led up to Captain Iligginsons
retirement from his command he summed up
follows:
On May 8 the Department sent telegram to Ad
miral Gherardi saying: "send Atlanta 10 Grcytown
Immediately to protect American Interests There Is
now Il revolution In Ncarag ga
rbo al cd hp Atlanta needed coal
On the morning of the 10th the following telegram
was sent to the Commandant OF the New-iork Navy
Yard Furnish coal TO the Atlanta with utmost
dispatch" Admiral Gherardl being directed at the
same time 10 have the Atlanta sail a. soon as coaed.
About 30 the night Admiral Gherard tcle-
graphed u the Department Tubes for the Atlanta S
boilers needed Immediately on the morning of the
llth the Department sent the Admiral the following
reply:
Engincer-ln- Chief statcs mat Atlanta has eight
boilers six In perfect condition and two defective.
All can be used. The ship can go around the world
with two boilers. Spare tubes for boilers have not
been delivered supply anything needed by Atlanta
from ships under your command at once. Atlanta
must not delay on account OF tubes. send to sea i'm
mediatcly.'
The Department has information that the substance
of this telegram promptly communicated to Captain
Iiigginson. Notwithstanding this fact and the De-
partments evident wishes and determination In
the matter the Alanta's commander sent the follow
Ing telegram directly, instead Of through Admiral
Gherarii, to Enginccr-inChief Melville:
PLEASE Do not Let Atlanta sail without putting
tci,c- tubes on lolri. We have two boilers out OF
action fr,m lcahy tubes
Evidently this telegram was not Intended for the
eyes OF either the Secretary the Assistant secretary
Such a course further breach OF discipline.
Tbs however, is minor matter except that 1t goes
to show Captain Hiegnson's intentions In the case.
There appears to be little doubt that further serious
results will follow the return OF Captain lIlggnson
to this country. In all probability court martial
win ensuc, as II was understood at the Department
that secretary Herbert has practically determined
that all the evidence before him clear that
court Of inquiry unnecessary.
The delay OF the atlanta IN getting und"r way
after receiving her orders lst week 10 go 10 Nicl-
RI gla caused no comment aboard the Pnlt-
deIpha previous to the Atlanta's sliling captain
Eridgma fleet captain. in speaking of the crilii-
crs departure to a Tribune reporter last Wednesday.
said that the Atlanta would probably not get 20 sea
until the last Of the week 1ast wnekl, that she hal
10 get In provisions and coal. AMI that that would
take time. There seemed 70 be 70 surprise at the
DELAY expressed except by The newspaper men. VINO
rcnarked tho lainIr of the Atlanta 10 depart on the
day the orders wcic received.