New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-14
HIDING THE DAMAGE TO THE TEXAS.

NOT ENOUGH WATER IN THE BROOKLYN DRY
DOCK TO RELIEVE THE STRAIN. But ENOUGH
To COVER THE INJURED PLATEs-AN IN
vEsTIGATIoN LIKELY TO BE MADE
Just how far the battle-ship Texas has been dam
aged by having been placed in the timber dock in
the Brooklyn Navy Yard could not be learned yes
terday. The ship is in the water. which completely
hides the Injured plates, reaches TO the level OF
her propeller shafts and just washes the edges OF
her bge keels Her forefoot is out OF water and
the strain the vessel cannot be greatly relieved
by the water II. the dock. Outwardly she shows no
signs OF injury, and one outside OF the o.
fcers is permitted to go down TO the part of the
ship under pressure in the interior. there Is not
likely to be any public knowledge on the subject
until court Of inquiry is held. or the report OF
Naval Constructor BOwes is made public. AT the
yard yesterday 1t said that there were only
known which would account Tor the
buckling of the plates their being denied One
was structural weakness OF the ship and the other
improper placing of her kee. blocks when she was
put in the dock In either case ii would seem that
Naval Constructor Bowles will have 70 stand the
brunt of the investigation. as he was in charge OF
the Norfolk yard when the ship was ouilt
there, In charge Of the Brooklyn yard
when she placed in the drydock. and
has championed the ship against those who
have criticised her. According TO the naya!
regulations the commander of ship ceases to be
responsible for her when her nose crosses the Sill OF
a drydock and does not assume responsibility
again until her stern crosses the sill on her way
out This relieves Captain Glass Of the responsible
ity for the present trouble with the Texas
The ship will be ready for sea on November
10. had been announced. as her new propeller
df eys Work MOT m S' be- dps before ane she will
be fit TO float There was some tax YESTERDAY OF
and some Of her other heavy weights. in order to
relieve thc strain on her nun Dut theIe were ~, no
two thirteen-inch guns. one forward on the port
size. and the other aft on the starooard nave an
q Their carriages and a5mSr u ara 60 fa IS
the ship that the water IN the dock could be
pumped without danger Of further damage ana
the ship put In good order and then hoated, the
sdoas. ..-,.o-.rr r.,.t~ ..,a AZ
officer yesterday. In speaking Of the matter, what
good will II do In six or nine months When tne ssp
is not 30 strong she should be to carry her heavy
weights In a Grydock, ana it would appear that tne
considered when her plans made No doubt Mr..
Bowles the constructor, did the best he could but
faulty. You can put Il in a few words" continued
he. by saying that i is case OF too much weight
a'' dry ySH XXI thst ''p another Thing
1t is expected that an order will be issued calling
Within Soq few days ana in the mean time the ship
Washington Nov l3-sscretary Herbert says the
Department has made public all the information Il
has in its possession about the Injuries to the battle
ship Texas and there is nothing TO add present.
Other officials decline to comment on the matter.
1t Is customary t. appoint court Of inquiry 10
investigate an occurrence Of so grave character,
as was done when the cruiser Columbias bottom
was bent In when che was stcaming down the Della
ware and as again resorted TO after her mis-
hap ir the southampton dock. court martial re-
suited in the latter case which found Captain sum
ner guilty of negligence and In consequence he was
relieved Of his command.
10 steps in his direction have yet been taken
In the case u the Texas, but Il IS not seen how a
court OF inquiry can be avoided The opinion Is
pressed tina, private shipyards would have de-
clined build the ship without ma eral alterations
to strengthen the framew 1rk, and that the Depart
nent II il had called for bids from private contrac
tors would have discovered the futity Of attempt
ing to construct large armOred vessel within
the SEQ 900 limit fixed by Congress.
TEXAN CONTRIBUTION FOR THE TEXAS.
austin. Tex. Nov l3.-Ciovernor Cuioerson to-day
appointed a committee from different parts of the
State TO determine pan OF action by which the
people OF Texas may make a suitable presentation
10 the battle-ship T Mas in recognition Of the
complimt mt paid the State by naming the vessel
after il.