The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-08
NEWS OF THE NAVY.
Commodore Skerritt Ordered to He Exam
ined for Promotion.

SOmmO0or0 SkerrItt or0ered ho EXAM
in~d for Promotion.
WASHINGTON. Nov. IA formal order made
public at the Navy Department to-day directs
Commodore Joseph S. Skerritt to be examined
for promotion. Com modore Skerritt has been
detached from the command Of the Pacific
station. having been at Honolulu for several
months He will assume command OF the
Asiatic station. hoisting his flag on the Baltl-
more. which vessel will probably arrive on
the station by the time the Commodore
reaches his post. He relieves Admiral Irwin.
who exchanges places with him. and will
probably proceed to Honolulu and make the
Philadelphia his flagship.
Commodore Skerritt is on his way to San
Francisco from Hawaii. and Is expected to ar
rive within a day or two. His examination 10
in anticipation OF a vacancy in the list OF Rear
Admirals during his absence on the Asiatic
station. Similar exami nations for promotions
to prospective vacancies have already been
Commcdore +. N. Ramsay. who stand No. /
and No. = respectively in their grade: Com:
on the petiremen w Of Admiral Betnap on an
22next. and C9mmodore Ramsay's promotion
X Benhnm. on April 10 next Gommodore
skerritt stands No, 3 in his grade. and his pro
mirai Irwin. the ,otiicer who relieves him az
Honolulu; who will retire April l5next
p A Board consisting Of Admirals Gherardi:
at the Navy Department on the 18th inst. for
the examination OF Commodore Skerritt. He
will not be present. OF course. hut that is not
regarded as essential to n CONF liance with the
regulations. and the examination will be con-
fined to his official record. On the same day
Commodore Skerrtt will undergo q physical
examination by regular Medical Board at
San Francisco.
The Navy Department is preparing for a Sc.
rles OF tosts of armor plate at the Indian Head
proving grounds In a few days. The plate to
be tested represents the side hrmor Of the
monitor Terror. and Is seven Inches thick OF
nickel steel II Will be what Ia known as an
acceptance test. unless the bethlehem Steel
Company. the makers OF the plate shall eject
to enter 1t for a premium competition. Upon
tho result OF the test depends the acceptance
OF about 100 tons Of the armor A six-inch
rifle will he used in the test.
information received Mt the Navy Depart
m ent from Norfolk shows that the injury to
Yard. through the weakness OF her boiler keel.
sons will cost the Government between $40
600 and $4,000 and the loss Of two or three
months time while the vessel IL being re-
paired in dry dock. The accident Was caused
by fllng the boilers with water. thus bringing
a heavy weight to bear on the keelsons. with
the result that the keelsons gave way. crush
ing In the inner bottoms and frames un.
der them. To make the repairs it. will
tom. and this will cost the largest part OF the
amount stated. The Texas IL built on English
plans contemplating an extreme liahtness OF
structure. and it is said that this iGhtness Is
partly responsible for the accident some
naval officers think that tho vessel Is too
fragile. and that 1t will be necessary to Tighten
her in several particulars to make her stable.