New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-06

AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD
ALL HANDS SATISFIED WITH THE MAR
BLEHEAD'S TRIAL
WORK on THE OTHER sHIPs-Two PLATES
NEEDED FOR THE MAINE-sECRETARY


NEEDED FOR THE MAINE-sEcRETARY
HERBERTs NEW PLANS.
Another of the new ships of the Navy has had
her final trial and has shown herself a great sue
cess. 1t is true that the report Of the Board or
Inspection has not yet been made public. but 1t
is safe to make this statement about the Marble
head in view Of the opinions expressed by the off,
GERS of the ship Themselves 1t Is a great salts
faction to have results emlncntly satisfactory
shown by the ships of the Navy The build
ing OF the United States Navy has been going on
only few years. and the industry of building
steel ships is still one. 1t must be source
Of satisfaction and pride to the designers and
builders of the ships as it should be to the coun-
try at large, as each new one successfully proves
herself a Sometimes mistakes are made,
but these rectifed and the vessels made
efficient. The United States Navy is not a large
one. but what there is of 1t is excellent and Is
honorable representative of the country. Per-
haps the vessels will never be used in actual war
with another country. and it may be hoped that
they will not; perhaps their province VIII be 10 pre-
vent merely by a show OF power. While it
is necessary for country to have navy. how
ever. stand for her power and indicate her pur
pose to protect herself the United States has one
which. If not large. is modern and strong.
The cruiser Cincinnati is to be taken from
the drydock tomorrow Her bottom has been
cleaned and painted. No orders have been re-
ceived in regard to putting her into commission.
her trial trip. She could be put into commission
with few days notice. and 1t is not likely
that her trial Will be held until she is in COM
mission
1t is expected that the two shutters for the
Maine will arrive These plates had to be
made from special measurements taken after all
the other plates each side were in position for
the shutter is the last plate to be put in on
each side in the armor belt. The naval constructor
has rfalf haf fba r,lo apI .b.r
in time the trial trip of the Maine can be
held In July. There seems to be a fair prospect
that the things Will come. and before many
weeks passed this big cruiser, which has been
in course of construction for many years in the
Yard. may sail away to try her merits
The construction of the Maine has been much
delayed by the inability to get material on time
from the contractors. 1t as If the Navy
had unnecessary difficulty in getting things on
time. and the officers complain of the delay caused
to their work. The trouble has not been con-
fined TO the Maine in the Navy Yard The latest
manifestation OF it is in regard to the Machas and
Castine When the orders for their material were
given 1t was thought that the work them would
be wei under way If not almost finished, by this
TINE. But the material did not come. and the yes
sells are not yet in the drydock even; and al
though the Cincinnati is TO be taken out to-mor
Secretary Herbert on THURSDAY presented another
PING te oat Sq I'M Nv Of G9ngrss amy 81
concluded the public hearings OF the committee 1t
Is now expected TO agree upon a measure or meas
urcs to be reported To both The last bill Of
Secretary Herbert differs radically from his first
one and the most conspicuous point OF difference is
Lection anch for the cs;bIishmey, ~; '.resrv
iist The plan when is c5ntined 10 tbe .nr
captains (commodores are abousbed5 1oo me-
ers. "A lieutenant -commanders. 80 leutenants
OF the senior grade 20 heutenants OF the junior
grade, and "a sufficient number OF ensigns TO
maintain the active list including officers appointed
rom ime ySu4'eer serEice at number not greater
IN the Dill not found in any Of the haf-dOzen others
presented The proposed establishment OF a re-
serve list has started many TO give oral expression
10 their thoughts. especially In the opinions on the
This list available for consulstes ahrno9 It o
scheme comes TO the surface often, but the pro-
position among members 81 Conpress ''e -
venLon for ren0minatiOn at the polls on election
day, there's a chance OF picking up another billet in
who clamor for appointments OF this sort one OF
the strong arguments always presented by the ad-
VOcates OF such plan Is that, although the officers
on the reserve list would If appointed TO consult
ships receive fun pay. again. there would still be a
between the extra pay 10 the officers and The fun
pay Of the civilian consuls; also that the Govern
ment would have well-trained officers whose con-
Duct Is governed by strict Navy regulations. and
who would be continuous In the same service
That Secretary Herbert made no reference 10 the
sId CORPS IN ms OH Is interpreted showing that
he approves Of the measures presented TO the Com
mission by the several staff corps. one OF which
that relating TO the Engineer Corps has been given
n h atIehuon II provides for reorganization OF
the several grades. and increase in numbers
made necessary by the increase in number Of ships
w WI, are Prdcucally great engineering devices;
also for board to ascertain whether any and how
many OF the officers IN the grades Of junior leu
perience and knowledge to tahe up encineering pur
exceed 100 TO he I,nrjnocr Cnr,e s e'a ~, iot 20
same as staff officers OF the Army have but shall
not De entitled 10 command IN the line or in other
or the pay tables. and also for age Of retirement
from active service.