New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-12

Is in process Of demolition. and Building No 115
Is beginning to show signs OF shape, at least
the steel frames are rising above the foundation.
Over at the big dry dock. officially known as No.
2 the contractors are going ahead at rate
which promises completion at a comparatively
early date Part of the material OF the caisson
or gate of the dock, has arrived at the yard. on
scows and the remainder is expected shortly.
On the causeway connecting the Cob Dock with
the mainland there Is no work being done. The
report of the board which investigated the use
Of short or dummy" bolts In the fastenings OF
the framework has not yet been acted on. and
although the president Of the company having
the contract for the construction has asked per-
mission 10 use some Of the men. who have been
laid of pending a decision, in the completion OF
some other work, principally the driving Of some
necessary spilng permission has been refused
by the Department and the chances are that the
work will be finished by another concern
In the machine shops work on the new engines
Tor the Chicago is still the most important
feature, although a co Iple Of new evaporators
have been shipped to the Texas and TWO more
are ready for the Maine. In addition 10 these
Two have been constructed which Will be Kept IN
STOCK for use in case Of emergency. Inc Dig
nlckel-eeel shell for one OF the Chicagos boilers
Is In the Jaws Of the riveting machine. ana the
TWO sections are being fastened together. Inc
plates Tor this piece Of work are so tough ana
nard that when 1t was in the rolls one OF the
tnree-ton beams was broken by the strain. and
ne" one mas been made. 1t being now under the
pis piaher. The Chicago has been transferred
from her mornings at the Cob Dock wall to the
main sea wall In readiness for being loated into
the stone drydock recently vacated by the Puri-
tan. In the dock the keel and bilge blocks have
been placed but no time has been set for the en-
trance Of the cruiser
Among the officers who have been ordered to
assist the Board of Inspection and Survey dur
ing the trial Of the batte-ship Massachusetts,,
which Is slated 10 take place this week are Cap
tain r. A. Cook. Lieutenant Commander +. p.
Wood. Ensign c. T. vogelgesang Chief Engineers
n. S. Ross. A. c. Engard A. b. Canaga and
Jefferson Brown: Passed Assistant Engineers. r.
3. Griffin. II. p. Norton. Gustav Kaemmerling,
C. Bryan. r. T. Warburton w. c. Herbert and
W. b. Day and Assistant Engineer c. H. Hayes
II is said that the Indiana Is coming to New
York soon after some stores, and the trim will
be made the occasion Of test Of Ter battery.
The Walker board which Is investigating the
subject of superimposed turrets for warships
IL anxious to settle the main point Of the dis
e,ssion which relates to frecboard. and will
take this chance to reach a conclusion from
practical work. The Board will join the Indiana
at Norfolk and have the battery fired while on
the trip north with the object OF learning II the
tEirteen-inch guns and the turrets can be worked
satisfactory with her freeboard when a heavy
yea Is running This will have an important
bearing on the question of construction In con-
nection with the new battle-ships.
Real Admiral Brnce. commanding the North
Auantic Squadron, II is reported, has taken Issue
with four Of TIE commanding officers OF vessels
" his squadron, with reference to the value OF
me new system II target practice which was
~sled by the ships Of his fleet. This system
las originated by Ensign Charles T. Vogelsang.
year Admiral Bunce in his report makes several
vC.!ections TO the system. but these do not con-
s'nce the authorities that the system Is so de-
s.stye as to justify its rejection. Admiral Bunce
ssSnes that the method takes too much time In
sssParaton; that II Is necessary to place anchors
~ ouoys, and he suggests that with the use
A.. range-finder three OF these buoys' could be
; sSse away with. The Department considers this
SsS @lon good one and may adopt It, His
~ :. ooJecton to the system Is that 1t makes
,8et practice stationary In character. and
TO times when the conditions are ex-
favorable. He does not believe there
~ any preparation for the practice. a. II