New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-15
AFFAIRS IN THE NAVY YARD.
MINERAL OF LIEUTENANT WILLIAM C.
BABCOCK.
TIE KArAHDIN's COMING TOWER TOP RECov
FREDERICKSBURG THE FLEET-To CON-
MISSION THE TERROR-NOTES
AND COMMENTS.

AND COMMENTS.
Under the care of Lieutenant Albert c. Dill
,,neham. accompanied by a number of friends,
the body of Lieutenant William c. Babcock, who
died on Wednesday afternoon. was taken to
Annapolis Nd, yesterday for burial. The SER
vices were held at $3.50 a. m. yesterday in the
6,n,ng-hall and reception-room of the officers
mess and were attended by the officers stationed
at the yard. The Navy Yard Band and two
companies Of marines were the escort and the
funeral party went to Annapolis in special
car.
William Carmi Babcock was appointed from
Kansas and entered the Naval Academy in
September 1867: was made midshipman in June.
1871: ensign July. 1872: master October, 1875;
lieutenant Ounor) March. 1883; lieutenant
March. 1883. His service included time spent on
the Wabash on the European station In 1918;
the Ashueot the Asiatic station, lS'4-'6;
the Trenton and the Alliance. European station,
1S79-s1: the Wyoming 1Ss1-s3: the Hartford,
Pacific station, 1Ss4-s6; San Francisco Pacific
station. 1S90-93. He was also connected during
his service with the Bureau of Navigation, the
Fish Commission the Office Of Naval Intel
ligence, and the Lighthouse Board In 1SsS-e4 he
was on duty at the New-York Navy Yard, and
in May. 1895, was assigned TO the Michigan do
ing duty on the lakes afterward returning to
the yard.
After two weeks Of digging in the mud OF the
Wallabout Channel the top Of the coming tower
of the ram Katahdin has been recovered by the
6redgers and is now board the vessel The
Mate is not materially damaged, and will be
nut In place as quickly as possible. Work on the
Terror has so far advanced that the date for her
going into commission has been decided on and
her flag will be hoisted on April Is. No selection
for her
that connection the name Of Captain William
r Hoff who was recently detached from the
Lancaster and is now on his way home in COM
mand of the Newark has been mentioned. This
will be somewhat Of surprise TO the officers
who have been predicting all sorts OF disasters
for CAPTAIN Hoff in connection with the recent
unfortunate adventure Of the Lancaster on her
trip 10 the South Atlantic station, when her nrst
report came from Madeira, instead OF Monte
video 1t Is pointed out. however, that the De-
partnent is probably satisfied with the ex-
planation given by the captain OF his LANDING on
the wrong side Of the Atlantic, or he would not
have been transferred to the command OF
larger and more important ship on his arrival al
ris destination. The change in the programme
Of the Lancaster which was at first intended 10
fill the office of gunnery training snip, put Is
row the flagship of the South Atlantic squad
ron also is looked on as being pointer In the
direction Of the assignment of the command OF
the monitor to Captain Hoff as otherwise Cap
tain Sterling would have been brought nome ana
not left In charge Of the flagship.
Among the other officers mentioned for the
command of the Terror are Captain John r. Bart
lett now on duty with the Lighthouse Board. and
CAPTAIN Henry B. Robson, now captain OF the
NAVY Yard at Portsmouth. n. H. The crew for
the ship numbering 154 men, has been Collected
her stores are all gathered. and the announce
n,ent Of the detail of her officers is expected WIN
In a few days. Arrangements have peen maue
for a trial Of her pneumatic apparatus before she
is nlaced in commission, and a board is now being
prepared at the Department to conduct the trial.
INCREASING THE HOME SQUADRON.
In sneaking Of the return of the Newark. 1t has
been pointed out that the action OF the Depart
ment in pushing the work OF Strengthening the
North Atlantic Squadron is causing considerable
comment. That the vessel Is in need OF any
serious repairs is laughed at by offcers &C
ouainted with the ship. The Newark Is pro-
tected cruiser Of the Philadelphia and san iran
cisco class and carries a main battery OF twelve
six-inch rifles with ten smaller rapid-hre guns
three Hotchkiss revolving cannon ana Two uat-
ling guns In good condition she would De d
valuable addition 10 the force OF the home sta
ton in case of trouble. close survey OF her VIII
be made on her arrival home. and her going OUT
Of commission viii depend on the hnohg OF tile
hoard hut IL is not believed that her needed re-
nairs are sufficient to her TO remain Idle FOR
any length of time A naval officer. commenting
on the action. remarked That While there was no
expectation Of trouble over Cuban affairs. IL was
a wise precaution TO have as many vessels as
possible within reach. 1t would not be cause OF
surprise If some OF the vessels OF the A E,
Squadron came home by way OF the Suez Canal
Orders have been issued 10 the Charleston Con-
cord and Petrol to return 10 the Mare Island Navy
Yard but as their departure for home has been
Jola cd fhar &c a
TO the Atlantic, and at least one Of them come 10
New-York for repairs and an overhauing
In connection with the commissioning Of the
Terror. the Department has discussed the ad-
Visibility of placing the Amphitrite out OF com
mission and transferring her men TO the new
monitor but II was decided to keep many
vessels In commission in the North Atlantic
Squadron as possible. There is also talk Of TAX
ing the Miantonomoh out OF ordinary and giving
her active service. but this will not be done until
the men available which 1t is expected Con-
gress will authorize under the Naval Appropria-
ton bill now under discussion. In addition to the
Mantonomoh, the vessels which will be put in
commission as soon as the men are available are
the battle-ships Massachusetts and Oregon. the
Texas and the monitor Puritan which VIII make
the North Atlantic Squadron powerful aggre-
CATION Of fighting ships, and one able TO cope with
almost anything which might come across the
water as a result Of the present war talk.
NOVEL. PLAN TO BE TESTED.
Preparations are being made at the yard for
tsst of novel character. 1t is to be the trial OF
q machine intended to send vessel through the
water without propellers BY burning oil. gas
is generated. which is allowed to enter steam
cylinder. where it Is ignited by means OF
shark the force OF the explosion driving the
piston A jet of water is blown out OF the tubes
in the stern Of the vessel by the explosion ana
the resistance Of the water causes the boat 10
forge ahead The engineering experts say that
the invention, which has been tried in private
has not given entirely satisfactory results. ana
thev are doubtful as TO its being OF service on
naval vessels. The inventor asserts that 1t Will
be useful in the case OF torpedo-boats and VIII
drive them with phenomenal speed. Inc De
ica feet long. but in difference 10 the wishes OF
the inventor a twenty-four-foot boat Will be USED
for the trial.