The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-04

some Of the pimculiies Encountered IN

some Of the pihlculties Encountered in
enc Texas Are Found IN the Maine.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.-The defect no.
tel by the Board Of Inspectors and Sur
vey ian the hydraulic turret operating APP
naratus Of the battleshlp TeXas-leakagc
in The hydraulic tubes-has been found
n the armored cruiser Maine also. In
TIE Texas LOCO pounds pressure is neces-
sary TO operate the turret, and in the
Maine zoo pounds. The Herald noted at
the time the Names inspection occurred
that the water I'm the hydraulic pipes was
frozen, and that therefore the board was
unable to fire the vessels lO-inch guns.
The ship rec has since been tinkering
with the apparatus. and it will work all
right for the present. but It Is the inten-
ton. when the vessel returns from her
cruise with the North Atlantic squadron
in the Caribbean Sea, TO overhaul her
turret apparatus thoroughly.
Another defect found I'm the Maine is
the location and character of her 6-inch
ammunition HOSTS. These hoists connect
the ammunition compartment with the
station of the gun. IL was found that
they were too close 10 the smokestack,
and being without a joint. there was a
possibility of a hot cinder dropping from
the smOkestack into the ammunition
room. Naval Constructor Dashiell was
sent 10 Fort Monroe. where the Maine is
lying. a few days ago. and as a result OF
his inspection he recommended that the
hoist terminate on one of the lower decks
and that the ammunition be handed 10
the guns station through a hatchway.
The recommendation has been adopted.
When the Maine returns from the pros
pectiye cruise IL is also the intention TO
shift the ammuniti0n-rOrm 70 the oppo-
site side of the ship. where the shell are
now placed. The location Of the she'll
room is regarded as extremely awkward.
DEFECTS N THE TEXAS.
The battleship Texas has been ordered
10 the Norfolk nayy-yard, where she will
be surveyed by a board consisting Of
naval constructor, an engineer and an
ordnance officer. hor defects being noted
under the department each represents.
THE truth about the Texas said an
officer who is familiar with the report,
but who will not permit his name to be
used "is this: Her bottom Is too weak
10 stand the machinery, and il will have
TO be strengthened very materially be-
fore she can be efficient. II was found
i'm carrying out her English designs,
when she was under construction, that IL
would be impossible to keep her at the
displacement required. and in order to
meet this condition every bit OF weight
possible was saved. All her frames were
made as light as possible, and. in fact,
everything was skimped SO that her de-
signed displacement should not be exceed
ed Do you wonder now that the vessel
T. structurally weak? The board does not
say that she is structurally weak. II
leaves that 10 be inferred from states
ments which show this to be true. Her
bottom is so weak that every time there
Is IL revolution Of the engine the bottom
will CULVER as though it had been struck
tremendous blow"
SO orders have yet been given looking
10 putting the Texas olt Of commission,
nor will they be given until that vessel
arrives at Norfolk and the survey recon-
mended has been made. The authorities
are anxious that the vessel shall remain
In commission, and the Texas will not be
taken out of service unless the Board of
Survey recommends ii. ! was told to-day
that ar least six months work In the
dock Will be required to put the vessel m
good condition.-New York Herald.