The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-11-13
the TEXAS is DAMAGED
The BattIsshlp Suffers From an Attempt to
Dock Her in the Brooklyn Yard.
FRAMES DISTORTED FKOM sTRAINlRG.
Commodore Sicard Reports TINT the
Cement is Cracked iN Twenty Sec
lions, Four Plates Arc Buckicd or
Bent Inward and the Joi ints to Main
Drain and Suction Pipes Strained

Washington, Nov. 12.-The first report
OF the accident to the Texas came to
the Navy Department Saturday from
Commodore Montgomery Sicard. COM
ma ndant of the New York Nuvy-yard.
VINO enclosed the following from. Capt.
Henry Glass, commander of the Texas:
II would respectfully report that on
the regular weekly inspection Of double
bottoms In this ship. made this after
noon. frames i3 and 10. in compartment
q. VI. were found To be distorted, APP
parently from straining on the kerl
blocks
NO outward evidence OF this condi.
tion appears, and a general examination
OF me snip, made Immediately after she
was dockcu failed to show any strain
Immediately on the above conditions
being reported to me. / reported il and
notified the Naval Constructor on this
station
Commodore Sicard's endorsement, on
this was To the effect that the Naval
Constructor, after cSamina ton, report
Ell that the Texas was i'm all respects
resting. and supported thoroughly and
safely. but ut Constructor BowlcS' sug,
geStion about six feet of water was let
into the dock, though the constructor
considered this merely as a prccaution.
Yesterday another communication
from Commodore Sicard enclosing Il
uctailed report on the condition on
every part of the vessel showing that
sections. that four plates were buclied
or bent inward from about n half inch
To an inch and half. and that the joints
10 the main drain and suction pipes
We're strained. Commodore Sicard's re-
port follows:
Navy Yard. New York Nov. 10th.
The distortion OF frames ~ and Il,
were first reported to me on the Sth
instant AT p. IN. An immediate cXami-
nation WAS made by the naval con
sructor who recommended the admis-
sion Of six feet of water in the morn
ing, which was done.
The within report was received by
me at $50 u. nj. yesterday and was the
result of an examination made In the
morning. Further examination to-day
shows no charge.
More water to II feet draft has been
admitted 10 the dock to-day and the
naval constructor has been directed
10 make detailed report
NO delay will result IL the work
now going on upon the vessel
The Texas when completed turpcd
out TO he the only vessel of the Navy
that had not exceeded her designed
draft This. ii is contenied by naval
officers, is due 10 the fact that much
of her iron work was Intentionally
made lighter in weight as well as in
siEenSth, The sacrifice having been
made in order that she might n1at
higher and in order to secure her COM
plclion ms far MS possible within the
price fixed by Congress. \ few weeks
ago ii was found necessary to dock the
snip, which had been continuously in
The water since her armor engines and
heavy weights were applied She was
then at Norfolk and Naval Construct
or y. w. Stahl declined 10 assume the
responsibility of attempting to dock her
therc, stating that with the highest
possible tide at Norfolk there would
he IA lccWay of only Il few inches ut
most between the ships hull ana the sill,
of the dock. which ne considered too
dangerous margin of safety So the
docking was ordered to take place M
The Brooklyn Navy Yard. where Con
"tructol Bow!eS would be i'm charge.
The Navy Department has called ON
.N;tEal Constructor ISowleS for Il dctat
ed account Of the matter. which Is OK
pecicd tomorrow. Until this report is
received. naval officials do not care IA.
express themselves Acting Secretary
McAdGo said this afternoon that the
lnited states was SO unused to docking
heavy battle ships that The real meaning
oi the accident to the Texas could nnt
be definitely stated European GOV
erhinenis, he said. were probably used
10 such matters and could ascertain
Immediately the comparative serious
ness or triviality OF happenings of this
sort.