The evening times., 1896-08-27
new 0FF|g1s FOR SHIPS
Commanders Who May Be De-
tached From Sea Service.
THEIRTERMsOFDUTYEND ENDED
Among Those who Have Nearly Serv.
I'D the Time Required Are Capts.
Schi-y, Evans, Miller, Farquhar,
Howison and Pigmnn, and Com.
manders Perry and Watson.

There will be a shake-up among the CON-
manding Officers of the North Atlantic
squadron, should tie Navy Department fol-
low its custom OF allowing officers Of COM
mand rank to serve required period and
then detaching them for other duty. For
numberof years, owing TO the hecomparatively
few vessels in active service. officers OF
the rank of captain have seldom secured
more than two and three years duty in
charge OF vessels, while commanders have
been frequently limited to one cruise of two
and a half or three years duration. But
until the navy is increased the length OF
sea service of the higher grade OF Officers
cannot be materially heightened.
Following the custom of the department
Capt. ". s. Schley,, now in charge OF the
flagship. New York, of the home station,
should be relieved of his command and as
signed To shore duty next month, when he
VIII have completed three years at sea un-
der his present commission, the greater
part however, of which was as captain of
the cruiser Baltimore.
Capt. Schley is not far from the top of his
grade, and when he is forced to relinquish
sea duty he viii remain ashore until he Sc
cures flag rank. In other words, he VIII
not have after that a single command at
sea, but direct fleet.
Just who will be Capt. Schley's successor
is not to be determined until the return of
Secretary Herbert from abroad, and there
Is little probability of any changes being
made in the present duties of high-ranking
officers until ne again resumes active con-
troll of the navy.
There will unquestionably be an active
competition for the New York, which is
regarded as a most desirable ship to COM
mand, and which will, in addition, remain
the flagship SO long as Admiral Bunce pre-
sides. oyer the home station.
SHORE DUTY FOR CAPT. EVANS.
Capt. Merrill Miller, commanding the
cruiser Raleigh, will have served the usual
time allotted officers OF his rank under their
present commission on November /. Capt
N. II. Farquhar, who took command OF the
Newark in June, will have been at sea two
and a half years under his present rank on
October 15. go lo.s-.-.ss
The early part Of fCapt. Farquhar's service
since he assumed his present title was rs
captain OF the Inflated Trenton. Soon after
her loss he became chief OF the yards and
dock bureau for four years, and later COM
mandaut ofthe League Island navy yard.
Capt. RObley u. Evans of the Indiana
will have served two years at sea on Octo-
| ber / aud as he is said TO desire a detail
as member OF the lighthouse boIrd it is not
unlikely he may succeed Capt. Bartlett,
who has now been nearly one year IN duty
here. Capt. Evans was first sent to. sea
| on this term OF service in command OF the
| New York, and succeeded TO the command
of the first battleship Of the navy when
| she encered service, about one year ago
| HIS close friendship for the President and
his desire to return TO Washington makes
II probable that his wishes will be con.
suited. Capt. Bartlett. in this event, may
succeed TO the command OF some OF the
vessels now on the home station, although
| there will be vacancies among other fleets
about the same time.
| CHANGES IN FLEET COMMANDS.
Capt. HOwison, recently attached to the
Mare Isl and navy yard and given charge OF
the Oregon, is another officer who is pos
sibly slated for return again to shore duty,
owing Ia his having performed an allotted
perioi OF sea service and the fact that other
officers OF his grade are now due for COM
| mands. r----.--..- t-.r
Among the latter is Capt. F. S. Cooke,
assistant chief OF the Navigation Bureau,
an officer of fine executive qualities and
one who COLD be assigned to some of the
best Ships OF the navy.
| Capt Cookies name has MOI yet been con-
sdcred in connection with any OF the ap-
preaching vacancies, and Secretary Her
| bert may retain him, in office until the
close of this administration, though the
chances are that the captain will hoist his
first pennaDt under his present grade be-
fore Congress meets.
Other officers who are expected to be
relieved from command shortly are Capt.
| Pigman, Comma uderP P Perry, and Com mander
| Watson.
The responsibility OF fleet commands il
| one that 10 one at the Navy Department
| can assume except the Secretary, aud jus
before his departure for Europe he an
| nounced the only vacancy that would DC
created this fall would be the detachmen,
of Rear Admiral Beardslee from command
of the Pacific station.
The admiral will then have served two
years as fleet commander, aud some othel
officer of flag rank will be entitled Il
take up the duties of the position.
LIEUT. LYMAN IN TROUBLE.
These naval orders have been issued
Ensign j. II. Sypher, ordered to the nava
war records office; Lieut.. j. Il. Coffin
detached from the Alert and granted thre,
months leave; Lieut.. T. 8. Phelps, de
tacbed from the Philadelphia and trans