New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-10
A COURT OF INQUIRY ORDERED.
TO MEET AT THE NAVY YARD MORRow-wHY
THE vEssED HAD NOT TO BE ORDERED
INTO THE DAYDOCK.

THE vEssED HAD NOT TO BE ORDERED
INTO THE DAYDoCK
Washington Nov. 9-Secrctary Herbert has
dered the following court Of inquiry on the accident
to the Texas: Commodore J. n. Miller. now COM
mandant of the Boston Navy Yard Chief Engineer
w W. DUNCAN the senior officer OF his corps. now
inspector of machinery at Cramps's. and Naval Con-
structor j. f. Hanscom, with Lieutenant Is. 7. WAL
ling as Judge-Advocate. The court will meet at
the Navy Yard, New-York at ] p. m. on Wednes-
day.
The Navy Department has received the following
official telegram from Commodore Sicard:
section Of the Texas's starboard main Injection
pipe removed for repairs and the pipe to seawnrd
was BANKED off just inside Of main infection valve
O'Clock the yoke through which the stem TO the njec
ton valve passed broke under pressure OF water OUT
partment and thence leaked through the closed water
sh s nd sd the port engine e
settled down upon the soft bottom heading south,
OF wsr port sde and ee
side secured TO Cob Dock JUST south of Vermont's
tugs OF Chapman Wrecking Company are alongside
| pumping and diver down IN s;arooard engine,room
Nina's boilers repairing so cannot be used Dry
dock No. is being prepared 10 receive Texas as soon
as leak Is stopped Further details VIII be wired as
II appears from this that the usual precautions
prescribed by the regulations observed by
those in charge Of the work which involved blank
ef Oh the Valve ali right satuTday the accident
early this morning before work was resumed indi-
Gates that the yoke gave way TO the pressure that
had been upon 1t for about thirtysix hours The
reference to the naval tugs Narkeeta and Nina
is taken az explaining why outside tugs called
| upon In the emergency. -
The sea valves Of the Texas have been In bad
order for some time, and her commander, Captain
Glass has reiterated to the Department the neccs-
SHY for repairing them. This work is usually done
while in dry dock, but as the ship has had bad cxpe
riences In dry docks and particularly In the only
| at New-York large enough to accommodate her.
there was more or less datorness In ordering her
In dock. Besides the dock sustained serious damage
| several months ago. when Its caisson fell In and
| caused great damage. In these circumstances 1t
was considered justihabe to attempt repairs afOat
temporarily at least. provided excessive caution was
observed 1t is believed by officials that the valves
were In such bad order fully TO justify the reports
| made regarding them by Captain Glass. as other
| wise. the yoke could not have parted
Officials OF the Department are glad that the SER
vices the ship vii. not be lost 10 the Navy for any
great length OF time and confidence IL expressed thai
| she will be ready 10 go 10 sea with Admiral Bunce
next week. The affair exces the sense OF the ludi
! crous among officers. VINO remember how repeatedly
| this Inflated ship has been mpered by trivial acci-
dents from which her sister vessels Of the Navy APP
| pear to be slnguarly fortunate In escaping.