The San Francisco call., 1897-02-07
THE LNDiANA'S ERRA7Ic CONDUCT
Captain Taylor Makes Detailed Report
and the Navy Department Giyes
Out Statement

Uuf statement.
WASHINGTON, d. c.. Feb. 6.-Captain
Henry c. Taylor's detailed report upon
the performance of the battle ship In
diana in heavy weather off Hatteras,
which caused him To leave Admiral
Bunce's squadron and seek safety in
Hampton Roads, reached the Navy De-
partment late this afternoon.
1t appears that the fcur eight-inch gun
turrets, weighing about $50 tons each,
were found 10 move lateralIy one-eightn
of an inch with the ships motion, and
that the two thirteen-inch gun turrets,
weighing about 500 tons each, moved lat
orally one-quarter of an inch under the
same influences.
One OF the latter turrets. when Captain
("Fighting Bob'O Evans took the shin
INTO storm last fail, revolved bodily
through greater portion of the arc, but
in the breeze of the day before yesterday
they did not get loose from the extra fast
enings that had been applied during the
winters stay at the New York Navy-yard.
The infinitesimal lateral movement, that
the naval officials attribute to the neces-
sary fiexibility CT the vessel, alarmed tn e
ships officers, who signaled Admiral
Bunce and secured his permission TO see k
the nearest haven.
From the character Of the storm encoun-
tered off Hatteras the officials deduce the
opinion that the vessel exhibited stanch-
ness in a remarkable degree and they as.
OF such weight as the Indiana and her
class is possessed by 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 Captain Taylor, with reference
to the behavior of the Indiana, has Just been
received. The officers OF the ship, as appears
from the report, owing 10 the former trouble
with the locking devices of the turrets when
the ship was subjected to heavy rolling, were
exceedingly cautious and observant as to the
action OF the improved devices put on at New
York.
SO far as the report states the new device
did not give way in any part nor develop any
permanent deformity, but when the shir
rolled rather heavily in the trough of the sea
there was slight play in the device obsery.
ant, the whole movement not exceeding q
quarter of an inch, which was confined al.
UtOSI tO the lOTWdrQ l0-lDC1 tuTret
1t is quite probable that had there not been
unfavorabIe experience with the old device
this would not have been observed
This very slight movement of the turrets
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 heavy swell running into
the trough, into which the ship was thrown
owing to her course, and Captain Taylor in.
formed Admiral Bunce by signal OF the fact
that this slight movement OF the turrets was
observant. and that he feared under continu.
Gus rolling it might increase and carry away
the locking device.
After some messages had passed between
them the Indiana was directed to return to
the roads. She had no trouble on the way
back, and, indeed, it is certain that were she
free-handed and not subject to squadron re.
strictions 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 Con
structor Stahl of the Norfolk yard has been
ordered 10 inspect and report on the same.