The sun., 1894-11-24

m.ved rre- s-eh Duty, s-s His Rss-sst
was Granted By the Depsrtnsnt-The
Det.n Said 20 Have Ree- made by Ad-
rrir.i Ramsay 70 C.use Annoyance to Ad-
r-ir.i Me.as-Hs. Me.ss Made Chsrses'
wAsHISGToS, Nov. 23.-There Is a mystery
surrounding the unexpected detachment OF
Rear Admiral Meade from the board appointed
TO investigate the accident TO the new cruiser
Cincinnati, which ofiicials Of the Navy Depart
msnt are not inclined 10 clear up for the pres
ent. No explanation will be given for the de-
partments action at present, but there Is un-
doubtedly something at the bottom OF 1t, In
which both the department and probably an ofi-
Ger of high rank connected with It are concerned.
II 10 positively known that the detachment was
not due 10 any remarks which the Ad-
miral is alleged 10 have uttered regarding
the shipbuilding policy OF the department.
although there are navy regulations when
strictly forbid officers from commenting upon
the work of their superiors or In any way re-
necting upon or dscrediting IL. Admiral Meade
vas incensed In the first place at being placed
on the Board, believing that an officer OF his
rank, and especially as he was In command OF
the largest sea station should be exempted from
all such minor service. 1t is said that he made
. vigorous protest against the detail and re-
Quested prompt relief. This request was granted
by the Navy Department Immediately and Capt.
/. NJ. Bunce was assigned as his successor.
Admiral Ramsay as Chief Of the Navigation
Bureau made the detail Of the Board. and prob
ably selected Admiral Meade because Of his
high rank aud on the ground that an accident
TO new war ship. which might show that her
commanding officer was negligent OF his duties
and therefore liable to court martial, required
board composed Of officers Of mature rank and
station In tho navy. There are num-
ber Of officers, however, who believe
that the detail of Admiral Meade was
made by Admiral Ramsay because OF an
estrangemsnt that has existed for years be-
tween them, and that Ramsay wished TO take
advantage Of his authority to order the COM
mander Of tho home feet TO duty which he knew
would be extremely distasteful to him. Other
officers say. however. that In selecting the Board
Admiral Ramsay had no other object In view
than to secure q hoard of high rank. and ono
that Capt. GLASS; the commander of the Gin
cinnati, the accused officer. was entitled TO.
In any event, no sooner had Admiral Meade
received his orders a. . member Of the Board
than he sent an answer back TO the department
requesting q relief. and II is said that his reply
was In terms which Admiral Ramsay believes
not warranted in addressing the Chief Of the
Navigation Bureau. 1t is also alleged that Ada
department intimating that Admiral Ramsay
went deliberately out OF bis way In choosing
tion was made with no object except TO cause
annoyance to him. 1t is said further that Ad.
miraf Meade has asked for the court martial Of
Admiral Ramsay to-day declined 70 make any
S do seS o and
Nsy ss' sS.sSSe tS.s e e I h.. aS Il
ProIristy In sSms way and that The chisf of t6s
Meade was aiming.
IFsndls end terms, nH and and sonssns sS.s M:.d: Who S
inins board. and has written 70 the depart
effeet a that Ramsay Is ini@icaI to him. and has
used his position 10 vent his spleen.
,sted between the two ofieers for yeAra, dating
back TO the time when they were midshipmen
nsttcn as .,S AZ
had feeling of hrotheriy ioye for one another:
a
est reputation In tho navy, Admiral Ramsay
9ns q sss 'etsss ds ss d
and ability for handling men. During the Worlds
battle ship Illinois was constructed and manned
with dummy guns and e9nipment admiral Admiral
gave all directions necessary for the do
partmsnt's exhibit, and It was asserted at the
in Il and was not inclined to give Meade much
assistance In his work. The requests OF Meade,
s.no. i Il 'Af sSsa Ssd' sa @s fEs'
greatest dinieulty that he secured sailors
ss@nr E: he as .Ss wa. 20 sssS Ss N &
Michigan then st.tiCnssd near Chicago who
idss of z presenting s @ W the model ss nssr fsii:
done. % and Admiral Meade WAS compelled 70 get
sims was M taken % up in swaSSinr down decks.
At the time Of Admiral Meades assignment
mer. il was asserted that he wa. vigorously, op-
posed BY Admiral Ramsay, who wished him
ssu.S % 10 nS Rim eary IN tSe sppins 70 assume com
mAnd OF the North Atlantic squadron. but for
some reason not explained they were revoked.
months afterward.
While the stories of unfriendliness between
ally, there are few ofiicers who believe that
Admiral Ramsay would use his position as de-
ment Is that Admiral Meade has bseome
snamans and BSsrds are Termed
and that he believes his dignity has been touch
stiii anothsr Is thS, he is under the impres.
sion when he assumed command OF the feet
It's time In dry dock cruising. Meade wishes 20
take his vessels 70 sea and put them through
because OF the inactiOn OF the department In
failing to hasten repairs and get the ships away
from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Whatever may be tho true reason for his de-
tAchmsnt from the Board there Is evidently an
investisAtion Of some kind on foot at the Navy
Departments but pending the return Of Secretary
action will DO taken. Assistant Secretary Nc
questioned this evening by The SuS reporter.
The Impression ,3d that s,as II an depends ISs
navy Is TO have q big sensation or
not. and that II he insists on carrying his point
serve for any amount OF comment and discus
sion In the service. Late this afternoon the
Judge Advocate of the navy WAS IN confer
snce with the Officers OF his Bureau behind
locked doors. and this fact gives strength to the
theory that charges OF some nature were being
prepared.