The sun., 1893-11-02
NEWS OF THE NAVY.
Flan to Remedy the Topheaviness or tn
Now Gunbonts-Lenve. Revoked

| Flsn to Remedy the Topheaviness or the
Now Gunbonts-Lenve. Revoked.
WASHINGTON Nov. 1.-The Board OF Bureau
Chiefs OF the Navy Department has decided on
a plan to remedy the topheaviness and unsta-
bility OF gunboats whose condition has been a
source OF much worry and concern to Secre-
tary Herbert and many officers The plan
contemplates Tightening OF the armament OF
| the ships concerned-the Detroit, Machias.
| montgomery. and Marblehead-and an addl-
tion OF weight In the hull OF each. The
Machlas now has eight four-inch guns in her
main battery, and these will be changed to
six four-inch guns. The masts OF the vessel
Will be shortened. all the top spars being dis-
mounted and made into pole masts. There
will lie no curtnilment OF sail power. To mako
tho Machias set we'll in the water and TO re-
lieve her crankiness" twenty tons OF cement
Will be distributed along the keel beneath the
boilers and engines.
The alterations in the Detroit are also to be
applied to tho Montgomery and the Marble
head. which are sister ships OF similar ar
! rangement but as these last named vessels are
not yet completed In all respects, the altera-
tions can be made with little trouble and ex-
pense. The Detroits battery OF eight Ave-
inch guns should be reduced. according to the
plan OF the bureau chiefs. to two six.inch guns
and ten four-inrh guns. In addition. a distri-
l
lieved. overcome her disposition to roll and
pitch in heavy seas. The Detroit is now due
Secretary Herbert is determined to put an
enh to the practice which has prevailed in the
GERS long leaves o: absencs 50 that III ey might
enter private firms and res ign afterward II
they ty fonni the work pro.ltaole and congenaL
Under the last Administration n large number
secured leave OF absence for long periods OF
time; ana many OF these officers are now in the
employ OF concerns and drawing pny from the
Government at the same time. To-day the
Secretary revoked many Of these leaves Of ao-
cases is that OF Lieut. C. A. Stone. who Tor a
number OF years has had desk in the depart
Secretary Harnert when he cmme in told this
to to- some me-. place outside Of the department. He
under his present orders his leave viii not ex-
R Rire until next M N March 1t was revoked to-day.
Chief Inenaer =. Ii. Towne last January fortwo
vas also orered today to for SCI" e
Lieutenant Commander Swift Is another officer
nSynGs TS tSe nr
Is 5m a too w hae to return t9
voked. Lieut. g; W; Junsen's Ieavsi. recalled,
q those officers will have to take turn at sea.
Many Of them have been on shore for years
was at her dock. and not In commission. when
she came near sinking at the Norfolk yard
last week. The accident. it is learned to day
might have been more serious than it was
and had it happened ut sea might have re-
suited in serious injury to the ship. What
really caused her to heel over and take in
water was the giving way Of plates supporting
water; The plates were bent over. ami came
near letting her boilers drop to the bottom.
strengthen the supports. The accident was due.
It Is said to the fault in designing. and failure
the heavy boilers.