The sun., 1897-02-07
WHY INDIANA PUT BACK.
n REPORT kECEITED FROM HEB
COMMANDER, CAPT TAYLOR.

A Slight Movement OF Her Turrets While
tho Vessel Was In tho Trough OF the
Sea, and ns Matter OF Precsnttou Sbo
Was Ordered Back TO Hampton Roads.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 0.-Capt. Henry G. Tnylor's
detailed report upon the performance Of the
battle ship Indiana in heavy weather Off Hat
teras. which caused him to leave Admiral
Bunco's squadron and seek safety in Hampton
Roads. reached the Navy Department late this
afternoon. 1t shows that tho four eight-inch
gun turrets. weighing about 100 tons each,
under the strain OF the vessels rolling were
found to move laterally one eighth OF an inch
with the ships motion, and that tho two
thirteen-inoh gun turrets. Weighing about
500 tons each. moved laterally one-quarter
Of an inch under the Same influence. One Of the
latter turrets, whom Capt. Bob Evans took tho
ship into . storm last fall. revolvod bodily
through the greater portion OF an arc. but In the
storm Of the day before yesterday they did not
get loose from tho extra fastenings that had
been applied during the winters stay at the
New York Navy Yard. Tho ininitesimal lat
eral movement, which tho naval officials at
tribute to the necessary neIibility OF the vessel,
alarmed the ships officers, who sgnalled Ad-
miral Buncs and secured his permission to seek
the nearest haven.
From the character of the storm encountered
of Hattsras officials are of tho opinion that tho
vessel exhibited stanohness In . remarkable
degree. and they assert that no sitter battle
ship Of such weight as the Indlapa and her class
Is possessed by any navy. Tho Navy Depart
ment has decided to withhold the Official report
from publication. but Assistant Secretary Me-
Adoo gave out tho following statement:
Tho report OF Capt. Taylor with reference
to the behavior OF the Indiana has Just been
received. The officers OF the ship. as appears
sl- ~
with the locking devices OF tho turrets when
the ship was subjected to heavy rolling. wers
exceedingly cautious and observant as to tho
action Of the improved devices put Oh at New
York. SO far as the report states. tho new
device did not give way In any part nor
dovelop any permanent deformity, but when
the ship rolled rather heavily In the trough Of
the sea there was slight play in the device OBJ
servant, the whole movement not exceeding a
quarter Of an inch, which wa, confined almost
entirely to the forward l3.inch turret II is
favorable experienc with the old devices this
would not have been observed. THE very slight
by settling up tho bolts. which are very heavy,
being four inches In diameter and far in excess
OF those formerly used. There Vas heavy
was thrown. owing to her course, ana Capt.
TAYLOR informed admiral Bunco by signal OF
rets was obsrrvant and he feared that, under
| continuous rolling, IL might increase and carry
| away tho locking device.
After some messages had passed between
them tho Indiana was directed TO return TO tn Q
Roads. She had trouble on the way back.
| and, indeed, II 10 certain that were she :ree-
handed and not su bject to squadron restrictions
as to movements she could navigate in any ind
| Of sea or weather. So far "a the report shows
the locking mechanism 10 in good condition, but
Constructor StRhl OF the Norfolk yard has been
ordered to inspect the report on the same"
Capt Henry G. Taylor, commander OF the
| Indiana. had until last month seen no sea SER
vice In six years, his last command having been
the OLD .fasho frigate Alliance. in May. 1891
| Since that time he has been on duty. where his
College. OF which no was President. The eI-
| ecutive officcr of the ship Lieutenant Com
mander John A. Rodgers. was also unused Ia
the Zig top. p.hehvy modern armored vessels. He
has been steel inspector at Bethlehem. Pa, for
long time, and mad not been nhoat since 1894
| IL Ia believed that when tho Indiana. with q
rolling record OF about IS degrees. got into the
long waves on Cane Hatteras. her chief officer.
became concerned about the stability of the
turrets and concluded that the discreet thing &c
do was To return TO the smooth water OF Hamp.
ton Roads. Precautions had been taken by the
department TO provide against Just such an
emergency. In addition TO tho steam turrei
| turning machuery Of the ship. and numerou,
| hAwsers. with windlasses. with which Capt
| Evans. the former commander Of the Indiana
| once hold tho runs in a severe storm, tho do
| by set screws four inches In diameter. which
| bound the turrots and barbottes together. ON
| cials Of the department are confident that ther,
| IL no defect whatever In tho Indiana. and thai
her return to port was simply q manifestation
| OF excessive caution on the part OF her officers.