The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-17
AN ADEQUATE DRT DOCK.
One soon to be Built-Ample supply Of
Torpedoes-News the Navy.

Out soon TO bt hNllt t-Ninplf supply ~
Torpedoes-News the Navy.
WASHINGTON. d. c.. June 16-After
negotiations running back into Secretary
Traoy's administration. Acting Secretary
McAdoo to-day completed arrangements
for the extension Of the new dry dock now
being constructed at the Broohyn navy
yard to a length of 600 feet. which viii
thus ensure the Government the posses
sion of dock long enough % take I'm the
large naval vessels now being constructed.
The difficulty all along has been one of
terms. the contractors demanding "a very
much higher sum that the department
was willing 20 allow for the extension.
a naval board appointed boy Secretary
Tracy 90 appraiso the value Of the eX-
tension decided that $4,000 would be
proper allowance. The contractor. Mr..
ellis demanded a total OF $4,000 but he
has been obliged TO accept the sum fixed
by the board. The adjustments of these
differences has resulted I'm some delay i'm
the construction Of the dock but it is
hoped that hereafter better progress Will
be made.
The navy is I'm a fair way to secure all
OF the torpedoes IL requires I'm a short
time Commodore Simpson, Chief OF the
Ordnance Bureau, has just returned 10
Washington from Newport, r. J., where
he has been Witnessing the tests of the
t0rpedOes supplied by domestic contrac-
tors The trial Of the Whitehead torpe-
does was very successful and sufficient
number Of the weapons have been de-
livcred at the station, with those which
Will soon be on hand TO keep the inspec-
tors busy an the summer in making the
tests and adjusting the working parts
one Howell torpedo, OF new design, was
submitted. but. owing 20 lack OF
adjustment probably It did not perform
satisfactorily. although The speed, which
has heretofore been inadequate In in
stances. I'm this case actually exceeded
the high requirement Of twenty-f0ur knots
per hour for the fourteen-nch torpedo.
Further trial Will be made with the
Howell as soon as the adjustments are
made. The fact that an adequate sup
ply of these weapons for the equipment OF
the navy is now within reach has called
attention TO the fact that few of the naval
officers are able 10 use them. owing TO
lack of experience. and already Commo-
dore Sampson has under consideration
project for reopening the torpedo shot
I'm the vicinity of Newport. R. l., and.
If the approval OF Secretary Herbert.
can be secured II is probable that a num-
ber of naval officers will be detailed from
time TO time for course of instruction.
News OF the Navy.
WASHINGTON. d. c., June 1G.-The
United States steamship Newark. which
has conveyed the Spanish carlVels from
New York TO Qubec. will sail tonight for
Norfolk. where she will be thoroughly
repaired al the navy yard About sixty
days will be consumed I'm this work.
and before the 1st of September the ship
will probably sail for her post as flag
ship OF the South Atlantic station.
The United States steamship Monon-
gahela has sailed from Newport for
New York, where she will be repaired.
The Navy Department has ordered the
armored cruiser Maine, at the Brooklyn
navy-yard. 10 be taken out Of the dock in
order TO allow Of "A steam trial Of the
machinery at the dock The machinery
was supplied by the Quintard Iron Works
and has been completed for some time
but owing TO delays In the deliveries Of
armor the vessel has not yet reached a
stage where a sea trial can be had. In
order to satisfy itself as 10 the perfection
IF the machinery and allow the con-
tractors the final payments, which are
hue them. the department has consented
10 a dock trial.