New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-03
THE NETWORKS CREW UNDISCIPLINED.
HER MEN DEFECTIVE IN Personal APPEARANCE
AND NOT THOROUGHLY INSTRUCTED
IN TIIE!R DUTIES.


u.os,,,rtor Ian (Speciay-It was learned TO-
dav that the necessity Of increasing the size ana
,or,or Of the fleet at Rio not the only reason
why the New-York was hastily ordered TO Brazil
ian waters Other considerations entered INTO the
official decision to get the vessel away from 'he
New-York Navy Yard. While naval ofhoiais eH-
hib such retcence in regard to the case 1t Is never
,haess a far, that in sending the NewYork to sea
Secretary Herbert thought of the ships needs as wei
as of the country's interests. 1t appears that uurs
her recent official inspection on her forty-eigh hours
trip at sea. after she had been In commission Tor
six months Admiral Belknaps board found 'hat
the ship was not in that state Of high efficiency
which the character of the vessel and the ability of
her officers made IL reasonable to expect Accord
ing to the report Of the Inspection Board the
vessel was defective NJ many respects. The defects
In material were such could be readily overcome
They related chiefly TO the working of the guns
and their mechanism. which practical service shovel
to be in need of slight changes Before sailing all
defects Of this nature were overcome
The cleanliness and general condition Of the ivng
quarters Of the ship reported by the Inspection
Board 10 he only fair. Serious fault was found
with the appearance, training and discipline Of the
ships Even in the matter Of uniforms the
men were defective. Some Of their garments were
Of the regulation pattern, but others had been
altered by individuals TO suit personal fances that
hammocks were IN n condition which called for
special condemnation from the board In the mat
ter OF drills and evoutons for general criti
cIsm was found. According 10 the boards report
the men had not been sufficiently instructed in de'
for abandoning ship AMI other routine exercises o.
a man-of-war the NewYork's crew was poorly in
s.ructeG. IN artillery and infantry evolutions there
was a notable lack Of training. The men id not
handle the guns quickly accurately and their
practice not satisfactory. In marching the
crew showed evidence of a want of practice. Con-
a, navy yard dock most OF the time since her
preliminary acceptance in July and that the men
nave had such excellent opportunities 70" shore
exercises. much wonder was expressed by naval
authorities at the part OF the boards report which
showed deficiency on the part of the crew in In
the mon found to be impcrfecty instructed.
From all that be learned the NETWORKS crew
well trained in but few Of the important routine
duties board ship
1t is said IN defence of the officers of the New
York upon whom the duty of instructing the men
deyolved. that during the vessels stay at NewYork
repairs were made on her decks which in part made
impossible the carrying OF the regular routine
OF a man-of-war. Work the guns. their carriages
and deck-fttings ntcrferad at times with any
cises board In addition, the officers of the ship
called upon TO extend and receive many social
cOurtcsles which took up small part Of their
time These reasons for the unsatisfactory state of
the ship and crew were not acceptable to Secretary
Herbert. who Is reported TO have said that nothing
would excuse for vessels crew being
also sad that the shp of The Nav sbon
In all respects satisfactory at inspection at the
end Of ex months, and tnat If Havy-yard service
diately. curiousy, on the day when the report OF
the Board of Inspection received advices ca me
increasing the strength of the fleet ut Rio The next
day the NewYor received her sailing orders When
she joins Admiral Benhar's command the vessel
will be subjected to another and more rigid insnec-
ton. As Captain Philip is aware of the serious
nature of Admiral Belknaps report. l. Is expect ed
that he VIII use every endeavor 10 put the New
her in fact what she is in namethe most efficient
cruiser aIloat.