The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-07
INDIANA's sHAKY rURRErs.
Capt TayIOr'S Detailed Report
Reaches the Navy Department.

washington, Feb 6.-Capt. Henry C.
TayIor's detailed report upon the perform
ance of the battleship Indiana in heavy
weather off I1atteras which caused him
to leave Admiral Bunce's squadron and
seek safety in Hampton Roads. reached
the navy department late this afternoon
1t appears that the four eight-inch gun
turrets, weighing about 80 tons each, I'M
der the strain of the vessels rolling. We're
found to move laterally one-eighth OF an
inch with the ships motion. and that the
two 1S-inch gun turrets. Weighing about
500 tons each, moved laterslly one-quarter
of an inch under the same Influences.
One OF the latter turrets when Capt
"Fighting Bob Evans took the ship into
a storm last fall. revoiVed bodily through
a greater portion of an arc, but in the
breeze of the day before yesterday they
did not get loose from the extra fastenings
that had been applied during the
winters stay at the New York navy yard.
The infintesimal lateral movement, which
the naval officials attribute to the neces-
sary tieXibility of the vessel alarmed the
ships officers, who sisualled Admiral
Bunce and secured his permission to seek
the nearest haven.
From tho character of the storm en-.
countered off Hatteras, officials deduce
the opinion that the vessel exhibited
staunchness in a remarkable degree, ana
they assert that no sitter battleship Of
such weight as the Indiana and her class
is possessed in any navy.
The navy department has decided to
withhold the official report from publica-
ton, but Assistant Secretary MCAdoo gave
out the following statement: The report
of Capt. Taylor with reference to the be-
havior of the Indiana has just been re-
ceived. The officers of the ship, as an
pears from the report, owing to the for
mer trouble with the locking devices of
the turrets when the ship was subjected
to heavy rolling, were exceedingly eau
tious and obserVant as to the action of tho
improved devices put on at New York
So far as the report states the new de-
develop any permanent deformity, but
when the ship rolled rather heavily in the
trough of the sea, there was q slight
play in the device obserVant. the whole
inch, which was confined almost entirely
to the forward 13-inch turrets.
1t is probable that had there not been
any unfaVorable experience with the old
devices this would not have been observ-
cd This very slight movement of the tur-
rets was readily checked by setting up the
bolts, which are very heavy, being four
inches in diameter and far in excess of
those formerly used. There was a heavy
swell running, into the trough of which
the ship was thrown, owing to her course
and Capt. Taylor informed Admiral Bunce
by signal of the fact that this slight move
ment of the turrets was observant and
that he feared under the continuous roll
locking devices. After some messages had
passed between them the Indiana was di-
rected to return to the roads. She had no
trouble on the way back. and indeed ii is
certain that were she free handed and not
subject to squadron restrictions as to
movements, she could navigate in any kind
of sea or weather. So far as the report
shows, the locking mechanism is in good
condition, but Constructor Stahl of the
Norfolk yard has been ordered to inspect
and report on the same.'