New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-08
AFFAIRS IN THE NAVY YARD
ACTIVITY OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE
WAY OF COURTs-MARrIAL.

summer OF the Columbia. was the principal tonic
AZ discussion al the Navy Yard last week although
several other important matters claimed attention
The general expression WAS one of sympathy for
che accused captain. and a hope that the court
would see It's way clear to deal gently with him.
There was. however a little hesitancy in express
ne the opinion that the captain had been guilty
~ serious oversight In not insisting on having the
dock pumped out and examined before the big and
costly cruiser intrusted TO its care 1t was
po,n,ed out that. although the dockmaster had a
copy OF the docking plan OF the ship there was
little chance for that TO Be OF any use as the keel
blocks in the dock were buried under twenty odd
feet OF water when they should have been exposed
"a view before the Columbia was foated in over
Them /; is admitted that the captain did every
thing in his power after the damage had been
caused 10 prevent any further injury to the vessel
under his except to order that she be foated
Al once and 1t Is upon this poin, that much stress
has been placed although the point cannot be over
looked that TO have prevented the trouble by in
specng the dock beforehand would have been
much better than attempting to remedy the evil
after II had been caused
Another point has been raised that Captain Sum-
ner has all along insisted thar the Columbia
s,ructurally weak. and even held that this defect
was the cause OF the buckling and dentng. All OF
the evidence brought out the trial shows that
the ship is remarkably strong. and. indeed. she
must be to stand the strain OF hundred feet
OF unsupported overhang in a drydock on keel
blocks that do not fl. and the defect Of structural
weakness" which has become a byword/ snce this
matter came up does not exist in the big cruiser.
In connection with the trial Of Captain Sumner
there Is another thing to be considered The pres
ent administration of naval affairs has been re-
narkable for the number OF courts-martial which
have been held under its orders. and II was mat
Ter Of surprise 10 those who have kept watch OF
current matters that the civil engineer and naval
constructor recently detached from the yard were
not brought before tribunal Just who is RESPONSE
bic for the activity in the legal department of the
Navy is hard 10 say but just at present Lieutenant
Samuel c. Lemly. the Judge-Advocate-Gen Is
receiving the benefit Of the doubt and is looked on
as being the prime mover in the ''perncious &C
tvity" This is explained by the statement that
his term in office is nearly over, and he desires to
make record.
ANOTHER TORPEDO-BOAT BREAKDOWN.
That the Department has white elephant on us
hands or. rather. two white elephants IN the
torpedo-boats which have been built to be carried
on the decks Of the armored cruiser Maine, and blow
I'D an enemy whenever they get a chance Is De-
coming painfully apparent. At various times within
the las, six months one OF the little boats has been
sen; out on trips intended TO try her speed and
staying power, and in each instance the boat mas
broken down. The latest trial was made on FRI
day last. when the little flyer was sent TO the hud-
River for the purpose or doing measured ihlie
at top speed. She was In charge OF Passed As
sstant Engineer Frederick c. Bowers. and started
from the yard about Il o'clock in the forenoon.
About 4So she came back in disgrace at the end OF
long line. the other end OF which was attdcheu
TO a Navy Yard tug. She had gone as far up the
river Forty-e!ghth-st. and was going a'ohg
u.der about go pounds pressure Of steam and max
ing good time. when steam joint blew out IN the
nreroom and the next instant one in the engine
room followed suit. The neutrality-suspicious. en-
glnes were doing good work when the accidents
happened and the rooms are so small tnat the
men are crowded right on top OF their WORK
there was a rush for fresh air. That the men IN
the rooms were not scaded to death was fortunate
and Il only by A narrow limit uia' 'i0'
reached the deck safely
A steam yacht in the river sent its launch over 10
the torpedo-boat to find out what the trouble was
and through the kindness Of It's owner message
was sent 10 the Minnesota, and from there 10 'he
yard A tug was Immediately sent after the as
abled boat and after a long and exasperating delay
The men were landed az the yard, no wiser as 10 the
capabities OF the boat than when they started out
Repairs will probably made and the boat sent out
again but the next trial will not take place for TWO
three weeks
TWO SHIPS TO GO OUT OF COMMISSION.
Orders were received at the yard on Friday 10 put
The Atlanta out OF commission as soon as prac
tcable and the work Of stripping the snip was
promptly begun. The action Of the Secretary IN
giving the order before he had received the report
OF the Examining Board occasioned some surprise
m, az he personally examined her when ne was
here last II Is felt that condition tuses the ac
ton AS soon the vessel is dismantied her crew
o: 22s men will be transferred TO the vermont anu
await orders join the Maine
The repairs needed on the Atlanta are exhaustive
and IL is expected that appropriation OF at least
ZOO 900 will be required from Congress 10 complete
The work II has been determined TO put in triple
expansion engines and twin screws ana Dohers'
capable OF developing 5,4Oo horsepower Inc new
machinery. II is said. is TO be something IKE that
with which the Marblehead is supplied. with the
execution of the boilers. which are to be partly
coil and marty Scotch. Her coal capacity will also
be increased II space is TO be had With her new
outfit Il is expected that the Atlanta VIII De ape 10
make seventeen knots an hour. which is an increase
o. TWO knots over her present speed. Ihese re-
pairs which will take at least a year to finish. will
in connection with the rebuilding OF the Chicago
give plenty of work TO the yard for time although
they will not be sufficient to keep the full plant In
operation.
Another ship is to go out OF commission. This
time 1t is the old Minnesota which Is uea up d'
Fitueth-st In the Hudson, and has oeeh useu as
receiving ship FOR naval apprentices. The appreh-
tees will all te transferred to the Vermont and as
signed 10 ether ships and the Minnesota Will be
toWed around TO the Navy Yard. 1t Is likely that
the Department will present her 10 some STATE LOT
the use of its naval militia. as has been done win
The Portsmouth and other vessels which the modern
navy has outgrown. The gunnery training-ship
Lancaster will go into commission on thursday,
September r. Captain Hoff. who VIII command
her has reported 10 Commodore sicaro' ana her
crew is all ready.
WORK IN THE YARD
The question OF the new timber drydock has been
settled for time and the contractors, l. q A
Walsh. have scored victory over Civil Engineer
Menocai and will drive the piles for the big struc'-
ure according to their own ideas In Inc tribune
article on this subject last Sunday there was no III
tent 10 unjustly crticise the work OF the eoh',ac'
ors on previous occasions II mas oeeh po',
,h., re- NV. making far greater progress with the
Job than was expected when they unoer tooh ~,
They are reputable business men. anu wne
have mel unexpected difficulties in the prosecutLon
OF the work much OF the delay complained OF mas