Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-04-08
CHANGES IN THE NEW YORK.


puuAnLIrnfA, April l.--As n result of
the builders private trinl of the cruiser
New York, change is being made in the
vessels three smokestacks. They will be
huilt up about 20 feet higher than at pres
ent This was ommcnled by Capt
Phillip. who is to commapd the vessel. he
cause it was found to be almost impossible
to remain on the bridge when the wind car
ried the smoke over it.
The Zig stacks have had squattY ap-
pearauce. As originally planned the bridge
was to be about 10 feet nearer the stack
than at present, AMI had the original plan
been adhered to there would have probably
been less trouble with smoke Capt. Phil
lip founi that the bridge AMI pilot house
were TO be built behin1 two great yen,ila-
tors and he recommended that they b.
pushed forward so rs to give a clear view.
He also suggested changes in the pilot
house and advocated extending the bridge
clear across the vessel This was d0m
but not until the private trial was held was
there much thought Of difficulty with the
smoke.
Cart. Philip telcgraphcd to the navy de
partment as soon as the New York returned
FROM her unofficial trial trip. asking that the
smokestacks be iengtbed, and received a
reply the very next day ordering that it b.
done. They will now he about half ~ tall
NJ the military masts. and the men on the
bridge will 10 longer have their Nisipa cut
off by fog of black and disagre cable
smoke ever, time an unfayorable wind
sweeps over the vessel.
The wisdom of sending man Of G spt.
Phillips rank to supervise the building Of
H. b.,s hoo iai tool he the
suggestions he has made. IL is the first
time that an officer of so high grade bs-
been appointed to such work. On going in
to the wheel house or coming tower Capt
Phillip found q string nearly yard long OF
mouthpiececes to speaking tubes. 1hes
were arranged side by side in front of the
wheel.
The captain saw that in an engagHm INT
when his eyes must be all the time On hi
antagonist, it would be impossible to pick
out some one tube offhaud, and that it
would take valuable time to hant MP Il
mouthpiece to give orders to certain
place in the vessel and wait for reply
He therefore had the whole q nouthIieces 2
removed They were sent down under the
prote ctive deck to be used there as a cen
trail station.
In their places the captain has a single
tube, and To young officer who will b.
rtafioned 1t the central station he will give
lis orders, and that man will pick out the
one tube necessary from the u and have
nothing else to do. Ths change has 80
commended itselt to the department tha,
This system of communication will be
adopted in all the vessels nov huildi1g and
NAV be adopted in some others.
Another change in the New y Y6rk that Capt
Philip suggested was the stinIraFs com
pinionway. II was found that access 10 the
0fficers quarters must Re by a roundabout
aud very s;eep companionwav. This would
he embarrassing when diguitaries should
com. aioard handsome companionwsy
ja.f = G OF lie snlserstrnrture has been built
and cere emonia j. of any will net b. isIDpered
for 4 l,ck OF sui,at.ir approach to the
admir- IL or captains quarters.
There have been iiiassy minor c'Iange'
.ugre,sed by Cspt. Phillip. and some Of
.'.rse facilitate tlesring sbip in time of ac
ton. ami oiiisr. adj to the cpaifurt Of petts
officers a.si make the .hip more attractive
. TO the crew On chang Cspf. PHILIP did
not succeed in having matt. Around ths
stern of the vessel is an Old time gallery
vhers captain nr admiral may sit ani smoks
| in .olitndc This gallery is almost an an
| achrcnisFn on modern war vessel, but Il il
| sail that Secretary Tracy thought it w5ule
( he ;iae thing and refused to remove it.
/ Mos. OF the changes recommended b,
Capt. Philip have resulted NJ saving .
the government. and he still has con.Hiera
( BILE ieeway before adding anything to sb'
aggregate cost Of the vessel. All of fh'
changes have added to the vessels fS
cheney.