The sun., 1896-10-16
THE INDIANA ROLLED 36o.
TURRETs BROKE FROM TIER LOCK-
ING, AND BIG GUNS ROLLED. TOO.

|
| The Battle ships Struggle In Tuesday
! Nights Storm--Nothiug Known on the
Men.oEwnr as to the squadron's Next
J Observation-Disclosures to Succeed Bunce.
II the coming OF the White Squadron into
| New York waters at this particular time for
| the purpose Of taking on coal is due in any way
| 10 the ordering of the Bancroft to CONSTANT
| nople no ono in servcs with the squadron,
whose opinion is entitled TO consideration,
| knows II. AT the Same time there is not an
| officer or seaman on any Of the elk ships that
are lying at anchor off tho Staten Island shore
who does not wish that the squadron were
going to Turkish waters provided the going
meant that the decks of the ships would be
cleared for action, and that Yankee gunners
would got chance to practice craftsmanship
on the Yildiz palace and a few other ornamental
things in the Ottoman capital.
The SUNS Washington dispatches regard
Ing the mission of the Bancroft were almost
the sole topic OF conversation among the officers
and men OF the squadron yesterday. The con
sensus of opinion among the officers was that,
when the next important news of tho Ban
croft reaches the United States it will be to
the effect that she has dropped anchor of
Constantinoplc. They believe this, because
they believe that American interests require
guardshp in the harbor Of Constantinoplc.
However" said Lieut. Osterhaus. Flag
Lieutenant TO Admiral Bunce and the Ad-
mirars representative. in an interview with
Sun reporter yesterday, there is no likelihood,
from the present outlook, that the White
Squadron will have part or lot in making
American history in Turkish waters. There
10 absolutely no connection, as far as we know,
between our coming here to coal at this time
and the Bancroft incident. Our coming here
is simply a part OF the sQuadron's regular pro-
gramme Indeed, it was known many weeks
ago that we were to come here to coal
about Oct 10. We shall discharge our cinders
week from to-day. Where shall go don't
know. and don't believe anybody knows. |
don't think 1t has yet been decided. II ! were
to guess our destination. | would guess that we
were TO return to Hampton Roads. II We are
S6st no ono 1S knows 'he It but the President
From an absolutely trustworthy source II
was learned that Admiral Bunce has reneayea anei
when the ships have finished coaling. IL would
be possible for the entire fleet to coal IN forty
One reason for not fastening the work OF coal
Ing is thu! the battle ship Indian" rnaT. must bore sS re
sbs ss9oSSn ean sas MsSs sss away i0F
y Soon IH after @ the the squadron qua left Hampton Roads
on Tuesday morning there We're signs OF rough
weather ahead. The wind rapidly increased
in force and the sea ran higher and higher as the
squadron proceeded; The Montgomery made
the best weather OF 1t: The Indiana made the
worst, rolling thirty six degrees. When about
forty miles east OF Cape Henry. between II
and y o'clock on Tuesday night. the s, Ardq:s ,hs
Indiana. When the signals were read aboard
the New York. Admiral Bqmce's f,gship.
there Keen excitement. They sad tIlat
til, forward turrets OF the Indiana had swung
loose from their locking devices. and were be,
turret. containing two l3-nch guns, and the
two turrets. each containing two s.inch guns.
and were revolving in a eemicircle as the ship
rolled. or course. as the great guns roiied
from one s.de of the ship TO the ether m With the
motion Of the vessel, they made Il all The NOR. more
difficult for tho Indiana to right herself, often
going down into a trough Of the sea. ,,,.
to the Indiana to put her head To the sea and
lash the guns with all posi- sible speed. The
ship was Immediately headed up. and after
little the S-inch guns were made fast. Every
attempt 10 lash the l3.inch guns failed. Every
rome that was thrown about them anf naae iast I
night the sailors worked trying to make fast the
big guns Finally. Just before d9yhr"nk a
sixinch hawser passed around the guns
and mad, fast to the ships rail- In this shapa
the Indiana came into port.
This morning the Indiana will be taken over
10 the Navy Yard and her three turrets, will
he fitted with new locking devices. The lock
Ing devices @ We're not oS TIf fey 'S BEEN
the trouble OF Tuesday night would have been
avoided.
the rumors OF a change soon TO be made in the
squadron's commander have been revived. II
X, msay, now In charge of the Bureau OF Navl-
CATION at Washington. desires term OF sea
duty before he retirCs next March. In order
that hi wish may bc gratihed. 1t has been un-
Ierstood that the command of the North Allan
tic station would be given to him. u was
learned yesterday that this practically has
been decided upon. Just " hen the change
will take place has not been determined The
programme now is 10 transfer Admiral BunCe
10 the command of the Navy Yard, and 10 send
to sea Commodore S'card whose three years
at the yard have nearly expired. Neither Ad- |
Inlral Bunce nor Commodore Sicard would |
confirm deny that such assignments were TO
he nlnle.