New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-21
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD.
NUMEROUS CHANGES THAT WERE MADE
IN THE WEEK.
MARINES CALLED IN IN ORDER TO HAVE THE
NEW DRYDoCK oPENED-THE NEW
YoRK's NEW cAPrAIN-TEsTING
TORPEDO-BOAT FUEL

YoRK's NEW cAPTAIN-TEsTING
ToRPEDo-BoA FUEL
Changes at the Navy Yard have been numerous
this week, and the end is not yet. The most
important was that in the number of drydocks
available for service. The opening OF dock No.
and the excellent manner in which il stood
the test OF the weight OF the monitor Puritan are
affairs over which all the officers concerned are
greatly elated. When the big monitor was
moved to the lower end OF the dock and the
water was pumped out levels were run by Civil
Engineer Peary with the result Of showing that
the total average DETECTION in the floor OF the
dock was less than seven-sxteenths of an inch.
and the greater part Of this small amount was
due TO the compression OF the wooden flooring,
the yielding Of the cement being inappreciabe.
II was unfortunate that the opening Of the dock
could not take place without a disturbance. but
at the last moment yesterday afternoon just be-
fore the time came TO begin the filing Of the dock
to float the Puritan there was a clash between
the contractors foreman, who was removing
some mud which had settled between the grooves
Of the dock and the naval constructor. Mr..
Bowles. whom devolved the duty of floating
the ship. 1t was not settled until the forces OF
the Government in the shape Of a squad OF
marines had been called on to uphold the author
the dock, by which the mud was being hoisted.
removed The next task for the contractor
will be the removal Of the mud which has been
dumped on the south wall of the dock right al
the line OF the gate.
REPORTS AND CHANGES
The report OF the Drydock Board will be sent to
Washington some time this week. and the meet
ings Of the court OF inquiry which is investi-
tha
being held in secret but will probably be ended
within few days All the officers and mel
interested in the engines have been summoned
as witnesses. including the shop people and It
was said at the yard yesterday that there was
strong chance OF the blame for the unfortunate
occurrence being fastened in a large measure
on the shoulders of Chief Engineer Cowie, Of the
monitor. The Iowa, which Will be the next vessel
put into the dock. will be taken out Of water
April l.
The other changes are the departure Of Captain
W 8. Schley from the quarterback Of the New
York. the assumption Of his duties captain
OF the flagship by Captain Silas Casey, and the
coming Of Captain Merrill Miller. late Of the
Raleigh. to the receiving ship Vermont, as cap
tain Captain Schley takes with him the best
wishes OF all the officers and men Of the flagship,
and there is a strong hope expressed that he VIII
be chosen to the Craftsmanship Of the Lighthouse
Board when he goes on duty in Washington
THE NETWORKS NEW CAPTAIN.
Captain snas Casey, the new commander OF
the flagship wa. born in Rhode Island in 1S41
He was appointed acting midshipman from New
York in 1853 In 1860 he was appointed midship-
man. assigned 10 the Niagara, and in 1s6l was
made master taking part in the engagements
with the batteries at Pensacola; in July, lSbZ
he was made lieutenant, and was executive Of
hcer Of the gunboat Wissahickon, taking part
in the first attack on Charleston, under AdmlraI
Dunont: at the attack on Fort Fisher ne Was
executive officer Of the Quaker City: IN 1S6o-'6'
he was navigator Of the Wnooski and was COM
missioned lieutenant-comnander In 1855; IN the
Corean expedition. in 1872, he was executive Of
dcer Of the Colorado the flagship, and command
ed a battalion Of sailors in the assault on Fort
Mckee. Service Of various kinds kept him busy
until June, 1854 when he was commissioned COM
mander, and after fifteen years Of duty In that
grade, in which time he commanded the Wyo-
ming. the Qunnebaug and the Receiving Ship
Dale he was made captain IN 1889. His first
experience with the vessels OF the new Navy
was in connection with the fitting out Of the
Newark and he was IN command Of that vessel
from February. 1901, 70 May, 1899 when he re
ceived leave of absence and was detached. HIS
next duty was as captain Of the Receiving Ship
Vermont. at the Brooklyn yard. and there he has
remained until his recent orders TO the New
York.
Cantatn Casey is one OF the most popular on.
GERS in the service, and with his family, has
done much to promote the social side OF life al