New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-19
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES.
EXCELLENT RECORD OF THE MACHIAS.
PROBABLE CHANGE IN THE AUTONOMY OF
THE ARMY-THE ARMAMENT OF
OLD VESSELS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE 1RrpryE.1

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBCSE.J
Washington. June 1S.-Oficlals at the Navy De
parment express much surprise that little atten
ton has been drawn the performances and condition
Of the Machias during her recent trial trip. They
say that never in the history OF the Navy has a
report from trial board recorded such satisfactory
showing in every particular. The Increased speed
contract requirements 2.46 knols-is greater In
amount than that achieved by other naval vessel
and the condition Of the ship the time OF trial was
completion for sea service than that OF any
other which has been constructed. An Increase OF
moro than two knots In speed over requirements Is
regarded as something remarkable by constr'i; tors
and engineers. Relatively. tho performances Of the
Machias were more remarkable than those OF the New
York. as the big armorcd cruiser gained premiums
for only one knot the contract rate. The re
port Of Admiral Belknap's board refers In highly
complimentary terms to the Machas Her ohcmi
speed was determined tO he 1916 knots per hour
Carelessness IN controlling steam probably lost the
contractors premiums on an additional half Knot
The vibrations OF the huh Of the ship. even at the
highest speed almost impercep'ible. Inc MINI
mum revolutions of the engines were 25o port -'o
starhoard average revolutions. "l3 port. 800 star
bonrd The maximum steam pressure was l'o
pounds; the average for the run, 1oo.34 p"nnas'
The board also reports that the joiner and snip
wright work deserve special commentator for eX
cerence Of material and faithful workmanship, ana
that the condition throughout reflected great credit
upon the builders. the Bath Iron WORKS, oi 'ahlc'
In the act providing for the construction OF the
Machias and her sister. the Castne premiums WE'RE
authorized but no money appropriated for pay
inr Them The builders will therefore have To wait
for a special appropriation. which secretary her'
bert Will ask Congress for. The new vessel can DE
made ready for in about ten days or TWO "e'h''
Military circles stirred up NJ The prospect Vi
a restoration Of division commands in the Army IN
less all signs fail this important change III eAStns
methods Will be made at an early Day "'""'"
Schofeld earnestly favoTs the change ana Is "o"
preparing "a scheme relating To the subject VINO" "e
will submit to Secretary Lamont. Inc oeher" "p
posed the abolition Of the divisions when secretary
Proctor ordered their dsconnuance and the SUD
siiution Of de apartments. During secretary Limbs
term Of office preliminary steps to restore division
commands were taken but the proposition was not
considered until toward tho cloe Of President liar
rison's Administration there WAS not suihcleh' "'e
left I'm which 10 work ont number OF necessary "'
tails. The Army Is practically unit III u''"hs
the restoration al divisions. NJ present III.
country IS divided ino eight departments. commanded
nv Tho two junior major e'ncras ana The SIX
brigadcr- generals strictly speaking General Ringer
command, two Il, parments. that of California ana oi
the Columbia. In, tho hrieadl"r general '"ri'h'
will hc ordered tkc charge Of lie '"ihh"a
The cnnIacicr and geographical limits "i o"pAr
a. row arranged are anomalous. They lack r"gu-
lariiV In SL" ana lNll'itilH'' 'i" ~ '''''''
regard To military needs or conditions IN time "i
war Bricad or generals are "qull footing with
mnicr generals with r~pec. 10 rank ana authority
such conditions hold In 10 other country anu "''
not conducive 10 military cmd"ncy. ""h"ihI
scLolcld proposes that the country shan h. divided
into Two grand military divisions III" East ana
Vo.t with the Mississippi and Missouri rivers rs
flo line Of separation General Howard would likely
lao assigned 10 command the Dly- ion 81 tn" Fast. ana
General Nils the Division Of the Wet. Eich division
wonld contain IA certain number 81 departments h"'
10 exceed six IN al, commanded hy h-i"i g'"''i''
no would be under the jurisdiction Of the Respective
division commanders, VINO ~ turn would u" SUD
ordinate TO the Ior general Commanding the Army
It Is also proposed that several interior depart MS
shall be rcnrransed. and those on tie Atlantic ana
Pacific coasts and the Canadian Gull ana M"A''Ah
borders be increased In size and Importance.
The Navy Department contempates an important
change In the armament Of the older vessels 81 tc
Navy. These SHIPS now have Win lew 'A,"pu"n';
Inc old smooth bore muzzlc loading gun. Non" 1f
them ha, full battery Of modern rihcs' "hII'
generally contain the old type mn men gun s ip
obsolete For range. penetration ana r'pdl't 81 hI,
carryug them are necessarily inefficient for offence n
defence when opposed b. al armament OF recent manu-
GINS from all ships aud substitute" In their places
modcrn high powered steel rifles OF he lr""ch loading
he nov. large calibre rifles. that the old one re-
moved will be succeeded hy c"r> Of greatly reduced
bore. >fioD' more EWllN WIN ~ "'' - h
diameter will likely b- replaced 10y four inch rifles, /.
and eleven inch bore with rife Of the hv"inch order
What n vessel loses by the change IN dim"n Ion, ~
! ore viii be more than compensated for hy the /
greatly increased AMI penetration Of The Nays
new guns II the guns 20 60 on ne OLD vessel, are /
Of the RI Did firing type further advantage Is eln"d
The only omba rras>nent about ne matter Is ~" eN /
ponse New guns and mounts wOud probably est |
$50 900 for each ship
Tho Naval Retiring Board has finally retired Lieu ,
tenant Henry Clay Fisher Of IN" nited states Marine
Corps with The rank II captain.
Commander Ritter, United states Navy. has been |
ordered 10 relieve Commander Harrington - the /
charge OF the fourth lighthouse district, with head
quarters at Philadelphia.