New-York tribune., 1896-02-03
THE TEXAS AND HER DETECTS.

EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN NOT TO
STRAIN HER-DErECTs TO Re REMEDIED.
Norfolk. Va. Feb. (speclaD.-Repor,s at the
navy yard here show that extraordinary precau-
tons being taken that the Texas may not be
further strained IN docking. All the stores have
been lanfed, the coal removed from the bunkers.
and ammunition and every movable thing
taken off. and shores placed between the .lner and
outer bottoms the better TO support the weight.
Surveys have been made and the recommendations
for some radical changes. In addition 10 the
extra plates and brackets which to be fitted to
give additional strength. the keel plate is to be
removed. together with two strakes OF plating on
each side Of 1t. and will be replaced by heavier
metal The hydraulic pumps for operating the
guns had ben placed in confined space in which
IT next to impossible for man 10 live
count of the heat. and they TO be moved to the
redoub
Early in her commission It was pointed out to the
Navy Department that the arrangement OF fire.
rooms and bulkheads seriously interfered with the
efficiency OF the ship. and recommendations
made that doors be cut between them In the bulk
heads separating the athwartship frerooms; but
this proposition did not meet the approval OF the
Bureau Of Construction and Repair. and the
doors were not fitted. Now, however. the Bureau
seems to have changed Its opinion In the matter.
and the doors Will be made 1t is said that some
OF the light decks Of the Texas were Of such
ceedingy light scantling that they actually buclled
with the weight or ROOu-slZed man, tndt some or
these decks were fitted In portions of the ship sub
ject to considerable heat; that they had been cov-
ered with llnoeum secured with FISH glue, and that
after few days in commission the odor OF the
glue became disagreeable that the of the
shin recommended the removal OF the linoeum II
has long been known that at least of her
raeazin-s Is located In such hot part OF the ship
as to render the preservation or the ammunition
question OF great concern
NJ. ulll be remembered that when the plans OF
,his ship were purchased they severely criti-
oined aud the statement officially made that II
h,1t in accordance with the plans she would not be
,rarg enough to stand the strain of the working
% ,he machinery the firing OF the guns, and that
% u matter finally narrowed isef down TO a Ques-
tv ti hetween the chief constructor and Constructor
un,,es uom and that the Navy Department decided IN
t"r ~ inc latter. who was member OF the
ianoda that recommended the acceptance OF the
psoalu submttcd by William John. OF England. and
pan. was intrusted the carrying out OF the
70" 70 ~ the designer Now that so many altera-
ideas id uli have 10 be made In the design TO make
uo"r raxas at all satisfactory some doubt Ia being
the iand ioHd as 10 her :alue when competed. the
eHprat1ons will involve the addition OF considerable
aitss.hn, which will materially alter her seagons
wesi.t, Altogether the Texas is an object les
conoiuId, a. money which has been expended In her
son, ac,,on will not be regretted if II has taught
cohsu ,,nar,can constructors the value or building
youhs 10 onposed TO building light.
~.o,r Conn comes the purest sparkling