Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-06
AND NOW THE INDIANA.
She Returns from the Cruise-Tur-
rets Agnin Give Trouble.

WASHINGTON, February 5.-What
may be reported TO foreign governments
as an ignominous failure OF one of
the crack vessels of the new navy, re-
ceives an explanation which navy Off
GERS Of experience regard as satsfac-
tory. The return of the battleship In
diana TO Hampton Roads to-day, after
having been at sea with Admiral Bunces
squadron scarcely twenty-four hours
was due to the same turrets which got
loose in a storm last fall. when Cap
tain Evans commanded the ship. in
evolutions off Long Island On that
occasion the big guns projecting from
the turrets swung back and forth across
the decks as the ship heeled over on
her beam ends in the sea, and the
gravest fears were felt that the magni-
ficent vessel would turn turtle" as the
sailors express II, and go down with
all hands. Captain Evans brought her
to and lashed the guns temporarily
which enabled him to reach port, and
then several months were spent at the
navy-yard in trying TO remedy the de-
feet.
Captain Evans was succeeded in COM
mand by Captain Taylor. formerly Of
the War College and yesterday was
Captain Taylor's first experience for
some time I'm an armored ship that
has earned a reputation for wallowing,
and il is understood that the long roll
ers following the recent heavy gale
made themselves felt in the ship when
the fleet got off Hatteras. If she had
not been restricted TO squadron forma-
ton. Captain Taylor might have head
ed his course into the seas, but as the
New York with her high free-board
and notable stability, was setting the
course. and as the Indiana could not
safely stay with the fleet, she was per-
mitted to return. IL her turrets had
broken loose off Hatteras the ship
might have been lost.
The Navy Department gave out the
following statement regarding the mat
ter this afternoon:
"The Indiana returned to-day TO
Hampton Roads. having made a run
with the squadron. When she went out
this time she had with her n new lock-
ing device for her turrets, lately put on
at New York, and which was intended
to remedy the trouble she had the last
time she put 10 sea I'm heavy weather.
This present device has three times the
strength OF the former one. Very pro-
| perry. tha officers OF the ship have been
cautious and observant as TO its work
lEgS. and Snt TtluIlltu W lht iNOdto lOi
a further inspection Of it and possible
readiustment. Her former trouble was
occasioned to some extent by her roll
ing in the very heavy sea which she
then encountered and it is possible she
again met unusually rough seas. When
the Indiana and Massachusetts, were de-
signed. they had on, as is absolutely
necessary for them. bige keels, but,
very unfortunately, all the docks up to
the one just completed at New York,
were not of sufficient capacity to dock
any of these ships with bilge-keels. but
anticipating the construction and finish
ing of the dock at New York, the de-
partment some time ago ordered bllge-
keels to be ready for all of these ships,
and such keels will be placed In position
as soon ae possible. Great Britain had
similar experience with her battleships
before such keels were put on. The case
| of the Resolution is well known 10 the
profession all over the world
"The department expects to have the
| Indiana again at sea in a few days"