The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-05
MONTGOMERY DISABLED
Mr.. HERBER7's PET CRUISER LAID
UP For sEysKAL MONTHS.
How tho Accident Occurfed--Not Known
Whether She will bs Hspaired-uer
Cylinder y Complete Wreck.

NORFOLK, VA, July 4.-After spend
ing twenty-four hours at sea. the United
States steamer Montgomery, the pride
OF Secretary Herbert and all Alabamians,
met with a mishap yesterday morning
which will lay her up for three months,
and possibly take her out OF commission
during that time. II was ideal weather
when the handsome vessel left Hampton
Roads Monday morning for her final
trial OF forty-eight hours run at sea.
on board the vessel. in addition to her
crew. were Commodore t. o. Selfrdge,
Captain +. II. CooYSs Commander X.
b. Bradford, Chief Engineer X: y. Mill
ligan. Naval Constructor .. j.. Wood
ward. Lieutenant Commander Schroeder.
and Lieutenant y. II. Neils, composing
the Stability Board; Joseph McMakin.
representing the Columbia Iron Works.
Of Baltimore, the constructors OF the
vessel. and a Southern Associated Press
fhe course OF the vessel laid out by the
board was up the coast as far az Winter
Quarter Light, and then return as Tar
south as Currtuck Light, on the North
Carolina coast, reaching Hampton Roads
on her return Wednesday morning.
When the Capes were reached the
Montgomery's head was turned northeast,
and about / o'clock the trial Of the guns
was begun During the firing of the big
five-inch guns the vessel behaved in a
manner to make the report OF her build
ers and the board feel proud. The
Jar OF the ship was harry perceptible
during an this Airing Every gun on
board worked splendidly. Then began
the inspection OF the electric plant, in
Guiding wiring, which was found in good
condition, according to specifications.
THE SEARCH LIoHTs.
on Monday night the powerful search
lights were tested, and IL was the unani-
nous opinion that they were IS good IL
present time.
Tuesday was set apart for the trial
Of the machinery. and steering appa-
ratus, and early In the morning every
body on board was astir. The vessel was
faced south, and made several complete
swings, half swings, and, I'm fact all the
evolutions required I'm modern warfare,
and obeyed the helm admirably. 1t was
the intention OF Commander Davis to
give her a speed test from a bearing off
Cape Henry 10 point off Currtuck.
1t was just ten minutes TO II o'clock
yesterday morning when the Montgomery
bore FIVE miles 5. " BY 5. f., from
Cape Charles, and thirteen miles y. T..
b. from Cape Henry.
HOW THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED.
The engineers had just received orders
to start the vessel up at full speed. and
were at that moment turning the steam
on 70 the port high-pressure engine, when
a terrible explosion was heard. followed
a moment later by escaping steam The
kissing sound lasted for only a moment,
! however, The engineers jumped for
! their throttles and shut off the steam,
and then began an examination of the
machinery The damage was even great
er than was anticipated.
The cylinder head had blown out and
| the cylinder was complete wreck. In
the. opinion Of the officers. IT VIII take
at least three months to repair the dam
| age. A nut on the crank-pin end OF
! the connecting rod had become loose
! while steam was being turned on for the
speed trial. and under the heavy pres
sure the cylinder head gave way. The
| new machinery necessary TO rpDair the
damage VIII be cylinder casing cylinder
cover, new liner 10 cylinder. new crank
| pin, cap. brasses, and bolts, and steam
! chest. The patterns for all Of these
| parts are possibly I'm Baltimore II they
have not yet been demolished. This
mishap brought the trial 10 a rather
! sudden end, and the vessel came into
Hampton Roads last night under hei
starboard engines. where her commander
is waiting orders.
1t is not known whether she will b.
repaired at this yard or be sent back
| TO the contractors at Baltimore. Ii Il
| possible that she viii go 10 the latter
as she had not been finally accepted bS
| the department. and this trial was to de
! termine her stability before her fina
acceptance on the Sth Instant.
1HE OTHER OBJECT.
The only other defect found In III,
ship was the ventilation OF the aft com
| partments OF the berth deck. This viii
! be easily remedied. however.
| The officers OF the Montgomery. how
| ever. among themselves. seem 10 think
that an Improvement can be made II
| the arrangement Of the armor. He
| bow sets down I'm the water abou
afrrhf Ynh hHln fhn MI
| is probable that this defect will havl
TO be remedied also. Some Of the GREY
seem 10 think that the Montgomery is
Jonah" vessel and they point to IN,
| several accidents which have befaller
| her, such as running aground on her pre-
! viOus trial and the present mishap, a
examples Of the bad luck which is fol
| lowing her.