New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-26

subject Is the basis OF considerable discussion
among the officers. The report Of the Board OF
Investigation was taken to Washington on
Monday last by Lieutenant Knapp who was
Judge advocate Of the Board. and the men who
brought the charges not yet through talk
ing about the action OF the Department in as
signing the Lieutenant to that duty. In view
Of his previous connection With the investga-
ton Of the affairs of the various bureaus in
the yard as they allese that he should have
been included in the charges against the off,
affairs in the Steam Engineering Bureau.
The Texas is still tho subject OF unfavorable
comment. and the fact that the Department las
decided to spend 1000 in making her available
for service is pointed out one result 81. an
attempt 10 do too much with too little material.
The ship will not be ready for use for at least
four months. and the notifications OF her hy-
draulic gun machinery in the matter Of loca-
ton under consideration by the Secretary.
Captain Glass will continue on special duty con-
nected with the vessel. and her other officers
have been ordered to other service. Lieu;enants
Colwell and Blow will come to the Ka;ahdin.
Lieutenant Hellner goes to the Nonacnork.
Lieutenant Gleaves comes TO the New-Yo-E yard
and will take detachment of men TO Mare
Island. while Leutenants Morgan and Beecher
and Ensign Douglas. are to come TO the yard
here temporary duty. Chief Engineer !. A.
II. Smith will stay in Norfolk on special duty,
while two Of the members of his staff WI so
TO the Monadnock. one goes on waiting orders.
and one stays at the Norfolk Navy Yard. The
Katahdin gets the Passed Assistant Surgeon OF
the Texas. ]. A. G Ithrie and Leutenan:-Com-
mander J. d. ]. Kelley. executive officer OF the
Texas. goes to the receiving ship Richmond. at
League Island relieving Lieutenant Commander
f. d. Taussg, who goes to the Independence the
Mare Island receiving ship
An interesting report has been made TO the De-
partment by Captain Robley ID. Evans. Of the
battle-ship Indiana. relative to the target-prac-
tce on the trip from Newport to Hampton Roads.
Only accident happened, a slight injury to
the eyes Of Ensign Joseph Strauss, caused by the
blast from one of the eight-!nch guns. According
to Captain Evanss report the practice was excel
LIANT n,,l. . no irfa inch GUN
fired. the other two being ncapactated on ac-
count OF defects IN the hammers, which have since
been removed. OF the other guns all were fired
with the exception Of two one -pOunders Captain
Evans reported that everything connected with
ordnance which had anything to do with the
practice functioned well. The general effect Of
the firing the electrical fittings. etc. was prac-
tcally nothing. Only ten electric-light lamps
were broken. 1t was found that after thirteen
inch gun was fired the shock caused the turret
TO swing around degree and half There was
reco Of the turret In the direction OF It's axis.
The mounts took up the recoil satisfactorily The
exhaust valve which permits the escape of steam
In the hydraulic apparatus OF the forward turret
failed to act properly, and the exhaust valve In
the aft thirteen-inch turret also failed TO work
satisfactorily. None of the reports received men
lions the operat OF the turret turning D. ar, or
OF the ammunition hoist. so 1t Is presumed by the
Department officials that 1t performed good SER
vice. Experiments were made during the prac-
tice Of the effect OF the blast OF the eight-inch
guns on the thrteen-inch turrets and on the off,
GERS in the structure and the coming towers.
The surgeon OF the ship who In the coming
tower. describes the effect Of the blast as APP
preaching that OF a gale of wind Captain Evans
stated that he fired the eight-inch guns at an
angle of degrees without damage and that he
would have fired them oyer the top OF the thirteen
inch turrets had he not been afraid that the blast
might inture the wooden pilot house. Altogether
he Is much gratihed with the action Of the Ind-
ana's battery and It's location. The practice has
caused discussion to the merits OF The location
Of the Indana's battery, and of that proposed
for the Kearsarge and Kentucky.