New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-13

EVERYTHING READY FOR HER AT THE
PORT ROYAL DRYDOCK
THE BIG BATTLE SHIP NOT YET SIGHTED OFF THE
RAN INTO HURRICANE-CROwDs AR


BAR-wAsHINGToN OFFICIALS THINK SHE
RAN INTO HURR1CANE-CRowDs AR
RrvING TO WITNESS THE DOCKING.
Beaufort. 9. c., March l2.-Everything at the
Port Royal drydock lie In readiness for the docking
OF the battle-shp Indiana Tomorrow morning 1t
is by no means certain. however that the docking
will take place tomorrow Captain Evans. the
pilots and those connected with the docks not
disposed to run any chances. and there Is no
emergency. the chances seem to be that there Will
be hurry. 1t is fifteen miles from Port Royal to
the bar. and there Is no means Of communication.
the of Information being the drydock
station
message to the United Press representative said
that the Indiana had not been sighted. There be-
Ing NO special emergency. 1t Is not thought likely
that the ship will cross the bar during the night.
but she will probably walt until daylight 1t will
be full tide In the morning at o'clock. The depth
OF the bar Ia about twenty-seven feet at high tide
and thirty feet at spring tide and the Indiana draws
twenty-five feet. 1t will take hour two 10
steam from the bar to the dock and as high tide
is needed TO 90 into IL, it is thought that the dock
ing will be delayed untN Saturday morning.
The docking could be done in the evening. but the
authorities prefer that all such work should be done
by daylight. In case the Indiana crosses the bar TO-
night the docking will occur In the morning.
Governor Atkinson. Of Georgia, and Governor
Evans Of South Carolina, and members OF his
military arrived here this afternoon TO witness
the docking Congressman Elliott secured leave
Of absence be present at the severe test OF the
dock for which he is largely responsible. The
Beaufort Artillery sauted the Governors on their
arrival in the city. Six excursion trains are ex-
pected here tomorrow. and should the Indiana not
go into the docks. the visitors will be taken TO the
attle-sh!p in steamers reception Will be ten
dered the visitors tomorrow evening by the
citizens OF Beaufort.
Washington March ~ (Specia).-It is not doubted
at the Navy Department that the battle-ship Ind
lana which sailed Tuesday from Hampton
Roads for Port Royal. S. c.. 10 be docked, ran into
the centre Of the hurricane which swept along the
Atlantic coast yesterday and probably struck the
ship off Hatteras Not the least anxiety Is felt FOR
the safety OF tho big ship. however and In fact.
the navel authorities. while they would not de-
liberately send the ship out into such weather. are
rather pleased at the opportunity TO test her sea-
worthiness. 1t Is believed that Captain Evans
who 10 a careful navigator. put the ships head
straight out to sea a; the first sign OF severe
weather. and probably ran many miles of the Hat
teras shore 10 insure plenty Of searoom In the blow
The designers Of the vessels OF the new Navy are
proud OF their stanchness in bad weather. and are
particularly grated at the results OF an encounter
by the Olympia with big gale on the japanese
coa st about month ago, just reported 10 the Navy
Departmen: The ship driven straight into the
storm to test her quality. and the results, as sefn
the subject Of Illustration in the local newspapers
were particularly gratifying The big cruiser lor a
time was actually. according TO the newspaper ac
counts. driven into the sea at the great speed OF
twenty-one knots an hour, and the picture SHOWS snow
almost nothing Of the hull below the smoke-pipes
the flying clear over the ship from 81 stem no 20
adverse criticism In the japanese and Chinese
newspapers the failure OF the OLYMPIA to beat beat
british mail steamer which was running al sever
teen knots naval authorities regard Il ms sum
Gent yindcation OF the speed and seaworthiness or
the newly bull. warshlps. ~ =,
II is probable that the Indiana will he put In dry
dock al Port Royal Saturday morning. The snip
has never been In dock since receiving her armor
more than year ago. and although her hull has
since then been partially cleaned by divers the
nlatine has thus been left exposed unprotected by
fresh paint and II is highly desirable that the pot
tom should be taken care OF properly at the eares.
nossible moment. IT expected that the fort
RovaI dock the only In the country which can
rcceiye the Indiana. would be ready for the snip
reeks 20 hut owing TO the discovery OF important
leaks AT critical points, repairs were necessary
which have made II impossible up to this time to use
dcrk