The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-21
DEFECTS IN THE NEW YORK.
5HE CRACK CRUISER WIJB HAVE
TO BE onERHhULED.

Report from Aumirnt Henh0u1-the
Cr,mp- Condem.ed the Arpuupitio- Hs,.t.
and Insisted that the Design. wer. Faulty
WARRINGTON, April 20. Secretary Herbert
~il make another Investigation OF the condi-
lion OF the cruiser New York on her arrival at
New York. and q careful inquiry will be instl-
tuted into the causes which have led certain
ot1leers on board to make statements with ref
erence to the armament Of the vessel which II
vas not Intended should be made public.
The ship 10 undoubtedly In Q demoralized
state. growing out Of the severe rebuke ad-
ntnistered by the Inspection Board. OF which
Admiral Belknap was President, and the con-
sternation caused when orders were given for
ber 10 proceed to Brazilian waters when It had
been expected that she was to be sent to Eu-
rope and there shown to foreign naval fleets as
the crack ship Of the American navy.
Secretary Herbert IL much disturbed over
the reports received from the vessel the latest
OF which comes from Admiral Benham. and
was sent while the Admiral was In command
Of the station.
In this report Admiral Benham corroborates
oil that was said In the Belknap report made
before the departure ofthe ship. and says that
the crew and officers seem still unfamiliar
with their duties. and that certain parts OF the
armament show signs OF neglect.
There mover was . ship In the navy. prob
ably, that received such drubbinR as was adj
minlsteIoj ;, the New York by the Inspection
Board. 1t was q surprise TO her oficers who
are ret nettled over the disagreeable mention
Of certain defects for which they are held re-
sponsible.
The statements contained in the report
showed that the New York had been doing too
much OF what IL known in the navy as navy
yard cruising. and that the crew and officers
needed q taste OF the deep blue sea-
The Board also reported that serious defects
existed in the turrets of the big ship. and that
her ammunition hoists were Of no practical
There seem to have been some foolish blum
munition 6oists and the arrangements OF the
gear for her turrets The mistakes were dis.
Sse ana n the eSpsr.men S ntteution WAS
called to them. but some Of the bureau chiefs
insisted .s t6Ht they knew what they were about
These hoists we're manufactured in the
Hsnt. , The Cramps, when cal called upon TO-
that they were i-contriyed and Of poor execu-
ton; and that they would cause serious trou-
Lewis Nixon. formerly constructor in the
pavy. and now leading man with the Cramps.
iniorned Secretary Herbert tn that great mis-,
that another design be adopted.
~hsn . EsS St 'lH era
yard several heavy shot fell to the magazine
noor IN the same manner Is described In this
Ths sccidsnt to the ship had these pro-
sSSu ali naval hd ooers asrss ana
the present method OF hoistine am munltion a
not fh,nngs,d; they predict that trouble Will
.zs sss sI$: Il: ship 70. nearing eempI:,'IIe9a
WIGHT Bo Zee. ssPaeis
that they were SO powerful that the prof ecties
would have been thrown with such force as to
board. New machinery was ordered. and the
meohanisp was arranged so as TO facilitate
the method Of handling the powder and pro-
With all these changes. however. II is said
amps Msrs so s%fs ths. he designs Of the
department were faulty that they offered to
nSos 81 soas
work perfectly and give entire satisfaction.
Ny e.pos that Tie
HOSTS are the best ever placed In war ship
% sn Rs s e Ss ss ssia
P CAPT Sampson GRisi 81 The Bureau o, Ord
nance. said to-day to a SUN reporter that the
psstsd but that he believed sss difficulty
The Cramps. Il e aadsrstood. s..sr. that the
10 the rsarrsnssmen. Of the valve gear in the
turIet-tuLning engines. resulting In a lerky
being worked with certainty By the. defective
gear while they should turn at the touch OF
CAPT saSps Ss G says That the location o, one
81 me magsz,i lines , IL dangsr9nsly pear the
he nib Was
tss a
powder. II not to render It liable to explosion.
vb The cruiser :,, viii soon return 1 to New York
In her armament and appurtenances, SO as TO
pa9s her as perfect as possible. Capt John
other Captain assigned to her command.
pirsd. and. As a number Of the Captains are
visiting their turn for a command. he must
give way 10 some one else
Nv he UAasd PTsI~
The Navy Department has made public por-
o 0OIS Of ths BelInep lpspsetISn Board report
lag that the department. was aware OF defects |
In the crack ship at that time Some OF them |
relating most closely to current criticisms
=, The working OF the ,turrets. was not good;
az movements 20 b. Jerks. rendering effective |
andum as to the working OF the forward tur- |
re- Ley and It's guns and OF needed changes. sub
sense OF the Board. and as applying to each Of |
the tprrets and their guns.
Inch magazines 10 very high, due TO the loca.. |
non next to ths fire rooms. Some means OF |
inning these magazines or OF providing air /
space with separate ventilation should be |
adopted.
4, The cartridge cylinders for the supply Of |
ne sponsor eight-inc guns are apt TO catch /
~ me Joints In the shutes-one shute Was dis /
apltl Temporarily by such JAmminRs. The /
Joints should be made smooth TO overcome |
sneh serious defects"
a. In view OF the last concentrated effort to get /
me shln home TO complete extensive altera-
hohs which had commenced when she Was /
nurfledll ordered TO iio. Secretary Herbert lie /
6nHRaRfiOn m
satI changes at Ban francisco. and in the |
tnsah tune ne may send the ship on q long
Honolulu included.
pI tHIIADELPHIA. April x. Charles H. Cramp.
iLIslIsnt OF the William CTamp x Sons ship /
s9d ngine Building Company. the builders /
tns cruiser New York; stated to-day that he
nsl been besiegsd With inquiries regarding /
me published statements OF the cruisers al |
lessi effectiveness
way. said Mr.. Cramp with smphasis flor /
Nv leleets ~ the CONTRIBUTION oh tha erulser L