New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-08
AFFAIRS AT THE NAVY YARD
WORK BEING RUSHED WHILE BIG SHIPS
ARE AWAY.
THE TEXAS NEARLY READY FOR sEA-To CHANGE
THE DErRoIr's BATTERY-MORE DELAY ON
THE BIG DRYDOCK-FLEET AND Tof-


THE pErRoIrs BArTERY-MORE DELAY ON
THE BIG DRYDocK-FLEET AND TOR
PEpo-BoAr MANoEUvREs.
LITTLE difference has been made at the yard
nv the absence OF the big vessels Of the North
Atlantic Squadron its trip to the eastward
and all the departments except that OF YARDS
and Docks are going ahead at full speed on the
ships which are undergoing repairs. The battle
shin Texas is scheduled to leave the yard on
Wednesday next and catch UP with the Meet
nc soon as possible, but she will return to the
ward later In the month for visit TO the Dry
dock Changes have been made in the hydraulic
system governing the movements of her turrets'
and telescope sights have been fixed to her Dig
guns On the Cincinnati, which is in the Dry
dock. changes are being made which VIII re-
oura at least three weeks more time. DUN
bow and stern torpedo are being removed
and her sea-valves have been thoroughly over
hauled The Annapolis is being ntted lor sea-
but will not be ready for couple or weeks Oh
the Detroit there are TO be several changes III
battery arrangements, and the o-lnch guns she
NOW carr,es will be removed Her original de-
signs called for a battery of ten 5-inch guns.
but when she went into commission only eight
~ that calibre were available, and two OF an
inch greater diameter were used This aHected
the stability of the ship, and now that there are
5-inch guns 10 be had, the original designs Will
be carried out.
Steam engineering people have their hands full
of business as every vessel in the yard down to
tho Tugs Is in need OF some tinkerng in the en-
oine-room. Chief Engineer Farmer is away on
leave Of absence his place being filled by Chief
Engineer Albert F. Dixon Chief Engineer Ralph
ACTON who has been on special duty at the Con-
tinentaI Iron Works, has been ordered to the
Cincinnati and will go out with the ship as fleet
engineer Of the South Atlantic Station Passed
Assistant Engineer Clarence A. Carr, OF the
office force is to inspect the construction or
tornedo catcher by the Gas Engine and Power
Company. at Morris Heights. and between
changes and Jobs things are booming in the big
shops near the east gate. One OF the larger
nieces OF work recently turned out by the foun-
dry is a. set Of spare propellers for the torpedo
boat Porter. which the workmen are now en-
gagged in finishing.
Chief Naval Constructor Bowles is at halhaA'
Y 6 looking after the doctoring or the lhuiaiia
and his chief assistant, F. w. Hbbs, Is IN charse
OF the Department. Work on the FOUNDATIONS
for the engines OF the Chicago VIII be star'eu 'iis
week and when that Is finished the snip VIII
no rushed ahead to completion. She Will "e
noated before the boilers and engines are put
ON hoard as the travelling crane mas ho' ei'ous"
roach TO lift the big masses OF metal o'e' '''e
sides The Atlanta has been hauieu over "
the main seawall. and gang OF men mas oeen
etarted IN the work Of removing her engines ana
boilers preparatory to placing her III 'he ur'-
dock when the Chicago comes out
Tbere is considerable comment in the bureau
hat hn
r. u Davis on the result of his Investigations
into the conduct Of affairs In the bureau oy
chief Constructor Bowles has not been maze
nuhrc II is understood that the decision OF the
corrapder was that the charges OF favorltism
ord general malfeasance in office were I'M
founded hut as the beginning Of the invetsiga-
,ion was not kept secret 1t is held TO be only
Justice to the accused officer that the innings
NJ the investigator be given to the public.
II has been practically decided that captain
John W. Philip. now in charge OF the Boston
Navy Yard. is to succeed Captain w. I. wise
as captain OF the Texas. and that captain A. H.
Mccormick who has been mentioned IN tha'
connecticut will be assigned to duty III con-
necton with the new Armor Factory BOARD
Captain Philip Is well known In Brooklyn anu
New-York. and he made many friends here
while I'm command OF the cruiser New-fork.
WAITING FOR MATERIAL
More delay IL the rule In the anairs or the
big drydock, and yesterday ten wharf builders
were laid off for ten days, owing to the fact
that there was no material for them to work
on in connection with the Golfer dam. Some OF
the large timbcrs for the guide piles have ar
rived at the yard. but much Of the stun has TO
come from the South, and II Is not expected mere
for a fortnight 4 di, er was al work yesterday