New-York tribune., 1896-03-29


Atiantlc station that We doubt whether he could
be relieved. except at his own request and he
mas oeen IN command less than year Rear
Admiral Beardsee's tour Of sea duty expires In
august next. The changes gossiped about in
cude his early detachment and assignment to
shore duty. In that event vacancies will exist
IN the commands Of the Pacific station and the
south Atlantic station. The gossips at the De-
partment still assert that the South Atlantic
billet lies between Commodore ]. n. Miller and
Commodore ]. A. Howell II is now said the Of
ficer who falls to get the assignment will stand
a good chance of succeeding Rear-Admral
Beardslee. But for the fact that he retires in
be sent to the Pacific station. Captain ]. j..
Bartlett has been retained on the Lighthouse
Board upon the suggestion Of Rear-Admiral
Walker and Captain Harrington has been Sc
lected for the Terror In his stead. Captain Har-
rington was intended to succeed Captain Merrill
Miller in command Of the Raleigh. 1t is now ex-
pected that instead of being detached in April
Captain Miller Will be retained IN his present
billet for few months longer Captain Edwin
NJ. Shepard is 10 be relieved Of the command Of
the San Francisco in all probability before the
summer is over. Captain Nicon Ludlow had
been intended for this vessel. but 1t was found
necessary TO send hin. to the Monterey. No one
has Yet been definitely selected for the San Fran
cisco. 1t is rumored at the Department that In
the changes TO take place Captain Robey d.
Evans will be relieved of the command of the
battc-ship Indiana. Captain Evans was first as
of the cruiser New-York, but was afterward
transferred to the Indiana when that vessel went
1894 so that his two years Of duty will expire
this summer. Great pressure is being brought
to bear upon the Department for the commands
of the battle-ships. and it Is questioned whether
Captain Evans Will he able to withstand IT, In
this event. the slate which is being prepared will
have his name included for detachment and as
signment TO shore duty. The Massa achusetts
oregon. Texas and Baltimore will be placed in
commission shortly after the first OF the fiscal
wear II is now believed. in which event command
ing officers will have to be detailed for these ves-
Massachusetts commanding
icer has been decided upon-Captain Frederick
Rodgers The chances Of Commander +. A
Cook securing the Oregon are still considered
excellent and his friends are anxious that one
of the new battle-ships should desira-
BILE commanding officer Captain Cook on her
initial cruise.
TIE PURITAN TO BE FLOATED.
The monitor Puritan after long stay in the
stone dock. during the course Of which she has
been carried well along toward completion, will
be foated, according to the present programme.
at high water tomorrow forenoon. This Is for
the purpose OF placing her thirteen-inch guns and
their mounts on board without danger OF q
breakdown, as the travelling crane is not sufi-
centy strong 10 lift those ponderous pieces OF
metal. Just how soon the Chicago will take her
place IN the dock for q general tearing up is not
known. although there is plenty of money on
hand for the work on the engines. there is
=
may be that the Atlanta will go into dock before
the Chicago does. IL is understood that there
is a portion Of previous appropriation available
Tor use on her repairs. The scheme OF making
her twin-screw cruiser has been abandoned.
and she will remain as she Is as far her pro-
peer is concerned.
A movement has been begun toward gathering
men on board the Vermont All the recruits on
the Wabash. the Boston receiving ship. and on
the Richmond, at Philadelphia, have been
ordered to the Brooklyn vessel and the enlist
ment OF apprentices has been resumed The
crew Of the Terror Is already on board the re-
celving-ship. and the new detail. II Is expected.
will be assigned TO the Massachusetts or the
Texas. The Marine Corps has also been author
tied TO enlist twenty men.
A board has been ordered to meet at the Naval
Hospital April to examine Lieutenant Sam
uel Seabury for retirement. The board Will con-
sst OF Captain Sas Casey Of the Vermont:
Captain F. ]. Higgnson. Commander c. S. Sperry.
Medical Inspector A. F. Price. Surgeon Howard
Wells and Passed Assistant Surgeon r p. Crow
dali as recorder Captain Casey has gone 10
Rhode Island TO attend the funeral Of his brother
adier-General Thomas Lincoln Casey, L. 5.
A.. retired
The train,ng-ship Essex. which LEFT the yard q
few days ago FOR Newport, will start on her sum-
mer cruise on April l. her itinerary being South
ampton England. arrive May 5. sail May ~:
Havre arrive May 90. sail May 30; Lisbon. arrive
June H. sail June 81: Funchal Madeira. arrive
July s. sail July IL: Las Palmas. arrive July l6.
sail July 26. returning TO Gardeners Bay. where
the cruise will end.
TO INVESTIGATE THE TURRET QUESTION.
Further experiments with the Indiana are TO
be conducted for the purpose OF assisting the
Walker Naval Board, Just appointed. in It's in
vestlgation of the comparative value OF the sin
gle turrets as located on board the battle-ships
Of this type and the turrets as designed for the
Kearsarge and Kentucky When that vessel
leaves Port Royal she Will be placed at the dis
posa of the Walker Board. and. II II desires
there will be a repetition OF the firing expert
rnents which were conducted by the Board or
Inspection and Survey. The Board ASSEMBLIES
on March 81 II would appear fiom the tenor Of
the Secretary's letter that he is des!rous OF for
ufying himself with data relative 10 double-deck
turrets, in order 70 supply II 20 the Senate
Naval Committee, which is directed by Senate
resolution TO inquire into the value OF the su-
perposed turret for nen-of-war The Board VIII
also pass upon the question OF armament for the
propcsed ships. There is no doubt that the Ves-
sells will be supplied with four l3-inch guns
and II superposed turrets are retained. with
four 8-inch guns; otherwise with eight s-inch
guns. o,,-. ,,,-
In connection with this Board. Chief Engineer
Farmer Of the yard shops has been ordered 10
Washington Work in the shops Is going along
steadily however. and one Of the low-pressure
cylinders for the Chicago's engines has been SET
M In the room where they Will be tested Inc
second OF these big cylinders Is now under the
finishing lathe, and Will be cut In about TWO
weeks.