Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-09-20
INDIANA SUSTAINED ONLY SLIGHT
DAMAGE IN HALIFAX DOCK,
IN SHAPE FOR ACTIVE SERVICE.
SENSATIONAL REPORTS HAVE BEEN
SHOWN TO BE FALSE.
Some HucklinE Occurred in Double
Bottoms Under Forward Turret
She Subsequently Mnncu-
Nercd satisfactorily in
The Squadron.

Washington. Sept. 19-Acting Secretary
Roosevelt. in answer 10 recently published
reports that the battleship Indiana was
injured while in the Halifax dry dock. has
made public the following report received
from Captain Henry Taylor. commanding
the vessel, made shortly after the docking:
II respectfully report that the Indiana
got under way yesterday morning at 6:l1.
and proceeded up the harbor 10 the Hall
fax craving dock. and entered the slip at
noon. L ordered an inspection of the double
bottom in order 10 determine the strain rs
the blocks took the weight. The dock was
dry. and no evidence of strain Vas discov-
cred. At $50 il was observed that some
buckling had occurred in the double hot
toms under the forward 1S-inch turret anu
adjacent thereto. The additional snoring
which was being placed in position was
placed forward and the double bottoms
watched closely TO discover if this bucklinS
increased. Careful measurement was made
for this purpose under the direction OF
Naval Constructor Bowles. and continued
during the night. No increase being dis
covered decided. after consultation with
MIR. Bowies, that il was not necessary 10
let water in TO float the ship.
The principal reason assigned for the
strain is the fact that some of the keel
blocks are upon rock foundation and 9th
ers are not thus causing a sliSnt lneguiii-
ity of support. MIR. BowleS informed ME
that he does not ailtlclpate any present re-
pairs being necessary on account OF the
huckling. The buckling is confined to the
floor space adjacent to the vertical keel
The maximum of l. occurs at frame %. de
creasing forward to frame D. where II
ceases. and aft of frame IS. where il ceases
again. Three of the frames abaft of frame
% show very slight defect.
In connection with the report. Mr.. Roose-
Welt states that the slight buckling of the
lndiana's bottom was OF no consequence,
as was indicated by the fact that the snip
took her place in the squadron Immediate
ly after leaving dock and maneuvered AS
satisfactorily as could he desired. Mr..
Roosevelt has just received this letter from
an officer:
.I have just been on board the Indiana
and asked about the reports that she was
damaged at Halifax. When the Columbia
was docked about Hampton and cry was
raised. British naval officers not only
laughed but thought her captain hardly
treated because of the inquiry made. and
called what happened to the Columbia II
common occurrence with them. And they
said to me: When you have had the eN-
perience of docking more modern vessels
you will find the same condition of affairs.
As for the Indiana. no strain of any kind
is observed. and neither the speed nor eff
ficiency of the ship has been affected in
the slightest degree. In the same way about
. the great gun. / find that what has hap
pened is merely what the bGreau of ord
nance has been anticipating-a slight hit
ting. due 10 the character and quantity of
explosive used. and the gun has not been
injured in the slightest degree