New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-10
VIEWS or THE ARMY AND NAVY
AN EXPERIMENTAL TANK FOR TESTING
WAR VESSELS.
QUESTION or THE FLAGS f"" A"M' '"'o''
sETTI.r:D-THE BOSTON NEARLY READY
10 DE COMMISSIONED.
inv rrrxcRApu TO THE TRIBuNE.l


Washington Aug. 9-The Navy Is TO nave an eN-
,nor,al tank in which many important ques-
lions of naval construction can be practically te"eu
before vessels are aid down TINS Is SUBJECT
which has engaged the attention of the experts ''
n number Of years. In Europe nearly every county
has an experimental tank in which modeis oil new
shins whether built for war or commerce. are SUD
,o,d 70 preliminary trials before the work OF con-
structlon is begun. England. france "rr'ia"s'
Italy and Russia test models oil 'her NeSSea IL
such tanks before beginning actia construction
rxnerimcnts of the kind have been found vaiuao'e
and n source OF great economy me bureau y.
Cns,,uc,ion has long desired an experimental
,o,k and chief Constructor Hchborn. Following
tho recommendations OF Mr. Wilson, MS preuecessor'
has repeatedly urged that Congress pe 'ea"''S" :"
nrovde the necessary funds. 1t has been esu"a'eu
,h, so OOD would cover the expense or construction
Congress has failed to make such an app'opi'a-
,, Az a resu,t this country. singularly alone has
had 10 depend upon theoretical Calculations III III"
important matter OF determining upon ueS's"' VI
shns to be constructed Now, however Il par>iai
step In the right direction Is 10 be TAKEN Oi'e
corstrc,or Hichborn de ded that to the fuiest
av,snt possible considering the requirements anu
,ha furds available an experimental tank Is 10 De
built To this end Assistant Naval constructor
ro,,son has been assigned to the duty OF preparing
a tank Al the Washington Navy Yard. III VIII DE
tho slim between an old shphouse and the Potomac
and will be about seventy feet long. thirty rect woe
and twelve feet deep. In the tank Will nrst De
tcsted models OF battleships Nos ana 0. the ue
signs Of which now being prepared. Inc pm"
cpal point TO settled In the tests relates u VIC
resistance of ships TO waves as the res"'e Vi -
tion on the bottom From the tests II Is eNpec'eu
that absolutely definite conclusions can De reacheu
% % the performance of real ships. questions Oh
sneed stability turning and other Information vi
value TO naval architects VIII be determined
An interesting question relating to the hags 10 DE
! carried by Army troops has been cohs'oeieu an"
Gnna
proposed that all regiments should dispense wiz"
tbar respective distinctive flags and carry oi'y 'ie
National colors. The idea was mat oiu o'oi'
should be the standard for. both drills ana oa'ues
around which the soldiers were to rally III peace
and war At present infantry regiments carry
bue flag the artillery a scarlet nag, the caNa'S
a yellow flag and the engineer battalion a nag
unon which is emblaZoned castle Inc caV"ry
have only the individual flag and do not carry 'ne
National coiors Many views were sought anu w
tanned on the question from Army ohice's' anu
while a number favored the change and gave good
aasors therefor a majority opposed the adoption
Of the proposition, generally assigning seht"'e".
as the basis of the opinions expressed Generai
Kruger was among those who said that the VA
tional coors alone should be ear TIE r D held on
TO "Old Glory In preference 10 'he 'o'p' ''""'
ards. 49, ,o,,,oa tho, the corps flags
are not to be abolished. but that they are 10 He
further decision is that the cavalry Is TO carry
the National ensign well as the ds,incIy ,e reg
tom Thus the infantry regiment; VIII, nave nd th
sas ss ine the se hs'ls1s
addition the National standard ,.,,o With
IN the p Sss S' BE or forty days Repor
Mare Island are this effect 1t Is expected az ,ne
machinery OF the vessel. which has been going on
for some time VIII not longer hold her b back ne
from Honoiu when with her battalion shore
IRE INDEPENDENCE OF Hawaii established by
the Dole sanv as good as new and when
Commissioned will be in condition for further her
her has been made out. but the subject Is under
consideration. A.. ,,, ,.,n, mn,
out Of Commission at a early date: The ship was
the first Of the modern vessels Of the Navy to be
put NV IN yards for repairs but never have
and machinery had thorough overhaui,ns. PATCH en-,
SssR soacs navy YARD rom CUBAN
sh a mas pTs. duty II she requires extensive
provements the work on her may be DELAYED until
pair fund is limited She probably, needs new
boiler tubes. new decks and considerable WORK on
Many Naval officers are hoping that fishing and
other outdoor pleasures at ana near gray |a i
land has before him between twenty and thirty
records OF examination in the cases OF officers VINO
naturedly that because the FISH bite too freely or
other sports in Buzzards Bay are 100 ensrossng
Of the records have been at Gray Gables for more
than a month. No word has been received at the
act Among the promotion cases awaiting Exccu-
1--we approval disaPprova those Of Captain
mender Coggcswell. There were majority and mi
norty reports in each case but the majority recon
case of Medical Inspector Kershper is among those
before the President. Depending upon the Execu-
tive course the promotion Of over twenty officers,
and there is no little Impotence among those who
affected.