The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-05-28
CRUISES IND COURTS MARTIAL.
Also Assignments Of the Various Rear Ad.
nirnls to Squadr0ns.

hisO AbBtEnnenth OIL TIE various Hear "A d.
nirnis to Squadrons.
This fro on tho armored cruiser Maine Mt
the Navy Yard on Friday night was more Of q
scare than 1t was n blaze. Tho ringing Of the
fro alarm brought out the fire engines and
their crows promptly. but the blaze had nearly
died out before tho streams Of water were
started. The vessel is In the dry dock having
her armor plating put on. but che is OF steel.
and herre would not be destroyed by n fire.
however intense 1t might DO: but there is II
considerable lot OF iniammable material on
board. belonging TO the constructors. which.
II 1t caught fire, would make a good-sized il
Elimination on II moon!ess night.
A court martial was convened at the Navy
Yard on Friday. OF which Capt j. Crittenden
Watson is President. to try the cases Of en-
listod men. Secretary Herbert has found it
necessary to issue u general order directing
officers detailed to duty as members of courts
martial to exercise greater care and better
judgment IN intlictiIg severe punishments
equitable to the crime" Courts martial
have inflicted upon a large number OF enlisted
men such punishments as dishonorabls dis
charge. and this has, been so detrimental to
tho service that the Secretary orders that. ex-
martial are notified that the department would
prefer some other form OF punishment than
cases OF continuous service men,"
Orders were received by Commander, Asa
practice ship bancroft. to sail on SATURDAY
morp!ng last for Annapolis. Stopping at Nor
folk Navy Yard on the way, , This would seem
the vessel this summer. as it indicates that
she will be utilized for the practice cruise Of
Friday that the cruiser San Francisco Is to re-
main in the nome squadron: that the Charles
s9n ana t tHe Nswarf sr sns s0l Bsan III sns r to the
South Atlantic. and tho baltimore to China.
Tho gossip about changes In commands. OF
Navy Yard and on the ships here. The I'm:
preston seems to. be that Secretary Herbert
the claims Of Admirals. Gherardi and Walker
BY carrying ont his otiGinal proposition 10 o. as;
squadrons.. There are six o~flcers q this rank.
with only four sluadrons; but with ~ prob9-
bllity Of having five when the European squad;
dispose Of Commodore Walker. who is acting
Roar Admiral, and some other Commodores
Admiral GIerardi wouldthus have his wishes
kratiasd: and remain n eo2n nn eth. at sea Until
nj 1sI,rs ar. i George i. Bslknsp. Who r ei@s n on
Jan. %. 1894. and Is at present President Of
the Board Of lnspection and Survey: David !.
Harmony. on waiting orders. retires Sept. 3.
A AK; {; station: 1eiir.. ApFiir Il. 1881: joha
Sithe iLyirhthoase board; r%etiros fsb. i. isS5.
hdmie raj hi srm S%g w Sppli sS Sn 'n nsd rstif red
ID
forty years service clause as soon as he arrives
homo from China. inasmuch AS IL he had re-
tired wher abroad no would have had to nay
Ills travelling expenses to his home Instead OF
the Government paving them. His retirement
will promote Commodore Aaron w. Weaver,
who Will reach the retiring age on July j.
1904. Admira! Belknap's retirement will pro-
cancy. Who viii. in turn. retire on juno III.
1877 Commodore Walker Will be entitled to
becomea lear Admiral upon the retirement OF
age on March 20. 1897. Admiral Twins re-.
tirement will make a vacancy for Commodore
Hpril &. 1857, Two other Commodorss
win b. entitled to Rear A Z commissions
ssussceeeed Admiral Weaver on July j. and viii
himself retire on Jan. y. 1895; and Commo-
dore Oscar +. Stanton will succeed to Rear Ad-
retiring ago on July 18, 1866.
The Spanish cruiser Reina Regente finished
repairs and the taking In OF coal and left the
Navy Yard on saturday morning last t, Join
the 1nfanta Isabel In tho North River.