The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-07-11
TEE nowLEs.spERnY QUARREL,
Bowles Relieved of the Charge Of Neg.
1ect of Duty or Dishonesty.

rect Oh Duty or UishOnesty.
Washington, July 1O.-Secretary Her
bert to-day made the findings and opin-
Ions of the court detailed to inyesttsate
the manner of installing the gun mounts
ON the United States steamship Puritan.
me court of inquiry finds that Construc-
tor Bowies, representing the Bureau Of
construction. and Commander Sperry,
representing, the Bureau of Ordnance. at
the New York Navy Yard, differed as to
the proper method of the installation of
the gun mounts of the Puritan: that their
differences degenerated into a bitter
quarrel between the two officers, culmi-
mating In charges Of fraudulent conceal
ment OF unmechanical work, preferred
by Commander Spe,ry.
The court finds these charges unbound
ed and relieves MIR. Bowles and his sub
ordinates OF any charge of neglect Of
duty or lack of honesty or integrity in
the work OF installation"
In tts opinion the controversy was con-
quoted by both parties with degree of
feeling net properly attached TO con-
s.deration of the facts In the issue and
with the use of expressions and implica-
ions deroSatory 20 the methods of the
opposing party, unnecessary, ITO the In
jury of, and hurtful to the orderly and
prompt discharge OF the business of the
government
Secretary Herbert in his endorsement
says:
THE department approves the finding.
1t Is unbelievable. that through obsti-
nancy and wilfulness, two officers whose
duties call for cooperation should by
their quarrels delay work in hand and
mus scandalize the service. Such con-
duct the department deems gravely rep
q ehensible. Commander Sperry will be
detached from duty in the department
OF ordnance at the New York Navy
Yard and assigned to duty in said yard
as equipment officer Of the yard. and
commander John j. Hunker. now serv-
Ing as equipment officer of the yard. will
be detailed as ordnance officer"
Washington, July 10.-The following
officers will be detached from the Char
lesion when placed out of commission
at Mare Island and ordered home with
leave of absence: Capt. C. w. Coffin.
Lieutenant Commander w. H. Reader
Lieutenants A. Sharp. w. p. White. c.
Fl. Stafford, c. S. Williams, Ensign H
=. Smith. Passed Assistant Engineers
5. n. Leonard and c. II. MATHEWS and
Gunner George Cross.
LieutcnantS G. a. Calhoun w S
Sims, Ensign r. e. Witherspoon and
Surgeon c. U. Gravatt are ordered to
Norfolk and granted three months
leave.
Assistant b. G. Brodrick, to the re-
ceiving-shi Franklin; Paymaster c. w
Littietield to settle accounts and be
ready for sea; Chief Engineer c. j..
Mcconnell to the Lancaster: Pay In
Spector r. p. Liste is detached from the
pay office at Philadelphia order TO set
tie accounts and be ready for the San
Francisco; Assistant Engineer u. T.
Holmes is ordered to hold himself in
readiness for duty at the Naval Acad-
envy; PaymaSter j. s. Cam is ordered
to the Newark; Pay Director Rufus Por-
ter to the pay Office, Philadelphia; Pay
Inspector II. #. Wright, detached from
the New York and ordered home to set
tie accounts; Passed Assistant Engi-
neer Y F.. Carpenter, detached from the
Lancaster and ordered to the Newark
The mail from Gray Gables to-day
brought the following appointments
William NJ. Jordan. assistant in the Ma
rne Hospital Service. and James y.
Nydegger. n passed assistant surgeon in
the same service.
The Alliance has left Newport for
Southampton, the Detroit sailed from
Yokohama for Chemi;lpe. the Cincinnati
sailed from New Haven for Gardeners
Bay and the Amphtrite from Norfolk
for Colchester, Md. The Marblehead
has arrived at Trieste