New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-15
TO GO TO AN ENGLISH DOCK.
DEFINITE DECISION IN REGARD TO THE
INDIANA.
THE CRAMPS WILL. NOT RISK THE BATTLEsHIP IN
THE DEFECTIVE PORT ROYAL STRUCTURE
SECRETARY HERBERTs VAIN PLEAS.


THE DEFECTIVE PORT ROYAL STRUCTURE
SECRETARY HERBERTs VAIN PLEAS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Washington. Sept H--It has been definitely de-
cided that the countrys first battle-ship, the In
diana. is to be docked In an English port. Secretary
Herberts pleas to the contrary notwithstanding
This fact reluctantly admitted at the Nav"
Department to-day. This conclusion Is the result
OF a conference at the Department this morning at
which the subject of the Indana's docking was dis
cussed at length by the Secretary and the ships
builders the Cramps Az has been stated In these
dispatches. Mr.. Herbert Is much disturbed at the
prospect Of the big ship going to an English dock.
He has observed that popular sentiment is opposed
to such a plan and that National pride Is irritated
at the idea that the vessel cannot be docked at
home He has sought to induce the Cramps to seno
the ship to Port Royal. but the company has not
favored the programme and will not run the risK
OF putting the vessel In dock the security OF whch
Is questionable.
Yesterday the Secretary invited a member OF the
firm to come TO Washington and talk over the situa-
ton This morning Henry Cramp appeared at the
Navy Department. He and the Secretary were IN
consultation for upward OF an hour the DOCKING Oh
the Indiana being the subject OF the talk Inc
Secretary endeavored to persuade Mr. Cramp that
the Port Royal dock In good condition ana that
II would be safe to put the Indiana In. How far the
Secretary went In his own interests IL only matter
Of conjecture. but as he has recently SHOWN muc"
anxiety to himself the Illumination OF ha''"s
the big ship sent to foreign DOCK wheh nome
dock should have ready for her, 1t seems saie
to say that he dwet length this feature or the
. ,
But the Cramps are practical business men, ontii
the Indiana Is formally accepted by the Government
they are entirely responsible for ner ohouio al
accident occur her through any cause the loss loss
would fall upon the company. not the Nayy De .n
partment. Therefore no risks are au'iSaui ''i -,
company reasons. The Port Royal dock may De ~ y,
fair condition in respects. but In others ], -
defective as official reports have shown me doSn
has been tested by the Amphe an sut il has not
been subjected strain OF over ten thousatI tosasl
% caaa he naana Toua % All the
OF Secretary Herberts proposition & wers iS 30
ander ar ne the he felt that would be
taking risk in docking the oattie-sh!p a. III III
Royal and that this he could NOT aSsa Ss vesse @ could
safely be repaired he decided that she would De ake
irst battle,ship. designed by Americans and built
OF domestic materials by Americans "a ina
Herbert has oSas,edb S Because w oeca
have operated to bring about delays III coihp'e'''s
The showing Is bad for the present naval admins.
traton. Had there been displayed nrmer srons nms
the dock % Mould naye work. at Port
Royal been thoroughiy inspeGted IN tne
a. that "ssas ss0a %s T0qd M .Se be NeaO r dock
and the contract may have to be reiet Inc s5p m
ROyal basin Will require repairs cOstlub
before II can be used. One practical consideration
with the Cramps that II the Indiana as IS sen, NJ
IN port Royal the underwriters rates would be SO
heavy that they could not be carried without Coy
ernment assistance. To suggestion or tne kiu ~,
Secretary Herbert would not listen Naturaly tne
Cramps would not assume the Increased expense
also the risk involved. ~, ~,
is that the abutments at the opening were worm,
eaten in places. although the plling Is not three @
years old Now that the Cramps have mace tnelI
decision not to take the Indiana there the Navy
Department viii call upon the contractor to pad tne me
dock In good condition. As naval oflcer SAID TO-
day the dock NAV be ready for use by the Time n
Rattle ships No. and No. are completed. The
plans of these two vessels have not been prepared