The times., 1897-04-05
NAVAL BUREAUS NEW CHIEF
Captain CrOwninshield Slated to
Succeed Admiral Ramsay.
"FIGHTING BOB"' BEATEN
Captain Evans Famous Report on
the Weakness of the Dolphin a
PROMINENT Factor Against His
Appointment TO FIJI the Navigation
Bureau Vacancy.

1t is considered probable that the Secre-
tary of the Navy will today Or tomorrow
appoint Capt Crowninshield, of the battle
ship Maine, TO succeed Admiral Ramsay
appointment viii be severe disapp int.
ment to Capt Fighting Bob Evans, who
has made hard and earnest fight 10
secure the position, and has been backed
up by Senator Platt OF New York, Senator
Hanna, Senator Frye and Senator Hale OF
Maine, Senator Mcmillan OF Michigan,
Senator Carter of Montana, and others.
Capt. Evaps has been opposed by Senitor
Chandler Of New Hampshire, and Congress-
man BouteIle, of the House Naval Com
mittee. The history Of the official yacht
Dolphin, and the downfall of John Roach,
the builder of the first cruisers OF the
new Navy, entered prominently into the
contest that has been waged for the last
three weeks over the Navigation Bureau
vacancy, and but for Fighting Bob
Evans famous report on the structural
weakness of the Dolphin. he would with
out question be Admiral Ramsays sue
cessor.
In the past week there developed a
fierce determination on the par6 or Roaeh's
friends TO defeat the candidacy Of 'Fighiing
Bob Evans and their antagOnisTu has been
successful
Capt. Evans, Capt. BeIknap and rum
Der OF other officers composed the famous
board which. ON the trial trip Of the
Dolphin reported that the vessel was
structuraly weak, and would not stand
a cruise at sea OF any extent; and later
the Chicago, Boston and Atlanta, laid
down at about the same time, were e
moved, partially built, 70 the New York
navy yard, where the Government under
took the work cf completing them. That
was twelve years ago. and since then the
Dolphin has cruised around the world
and performed more actual work than any
vessel OF the earlier ships Of the Navy
In explanation Of that report, 1t has
been alleged that at the time Naval Of
ficcrs were unfamiliar with steel ships
and ignorant OF the extent To which vi
bration by powerful machinery could go
without indicating structural weakn"ss
Senator Chandler was at that time Sec
retary Of the Navy, and the report was a
reflection on his administration He saw
an opportunity to get square" with Capt.
Evans when 1t was reported thathe was
an active candidate for Admiral Ram
says place, which became vacant yester-
day. and he opposed his selection.
Two years ago Admiral Ramsay wanted
to resign and be placed in command OF the
Pacific fleet, and Capt Evans was then
a candidate TO succeed him He had the
support Of President Cleveland, but Secre-
tary Herbert opposed Capt. Evans sOfirmly
that the President reluctantly Withdrew
his support and appointed Capt Evans TO
the lighthouse board II was said yester-
day that Capt. Evans had abandoned all
hope OF securing the appointment, and
that Secretary Long had decided 70 ap-
point Capt Crowniushield- who has been
ordered TO this city. II is believed that
the captain will accept the appointment
and that his name win be sent TO the
Senate early in the week. II was said
that he is well qualified for the position
of Chief of the Bureau Of Navigation