The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-02-06
SIZE HAD TO PUT BACK
The Indiana Gould Not Face the Heavy
Seas Off Cape Haitaras.
she IS NOW LYING IN HAMPTON ROADS
There - No SERIOUS Trouble-rle New
Device sor Preventing Her Far.
rcts From Getting Loose Seems Not
to Answer :s1D Purpose VIII Prob.
ably be Rcmctlicd In Il Few Days.

Washington, d. c., Feb. 5.-What may
De reported to foreign Governments as
an lsnominfous failure Of one of the
crack vessels Of the new navy, receives
an explanation which navy officers of
experience regard as satisfactory
The return of the hattleship Indiana
TO Hampton Roads to-day, after having
been at sea with Admiral Bunce's
SQUADRON scarcely twcntyfour hours.
was due to the same turrets which got
loose in 4 storm last fail. when Captain
Evans commanded the ship in eYoIu,;ons
off Long Island.
ABOUT TO TURN TURTLE."
On that occasion the hig guns project
lns from the turrsis swung back and
1orth across he decks as the shep lleeled
orer ,S On nsr ntan' ends In the sea. and
Inc graveSt fears were felt that the mag
nillcent vessel would turn turtle" as
the sailors express 1t. and go down with
all hands. Captain Evans hove her to
ana iashed the gums temporarily. which
enabled him to reach port and then
several months were spent at the navy
yard trying to remedy the defect
captain Evans was succeeded in com
mand by Captain Taylor, formerly or
the war college, and yesterday was
Captain Taylor's first experience for
some time in an armored ship that has
earned reputa tion for wallowing, and
1t Is understood that the long rollers fol-
lowing the recent heavy gale made
themselves felt on the ship when the
fleet got off Hatteras.
HAD TO TURN BACK.
If he had not been restricted to
squadron formation Captain Taylor
might have headed his course into the
seas. but as the New York, with her high
free beard and notable stability, was
setting the course, anI az the Indiana
could not safely stay with the fleet, she
was permitted to return. If her tur-
hrnlSan off lot Z tfn,., (,
snip might have been lost
i The Navy Department gave out the
following statement regarding the mat
ter this afternoons
me Indiana returned to-day TO
Hampton Roads. having made run
with the squadron. When she went out
this time she had with her new lock-
ink device for her t,lrrets lately put
on at New York and which was intended
10 remedy the trouble she had the last
Time she Put to sea in heavy weather.
This present service has three times the
strength OF the former one. Very pro.
perly the officers OF the ship have been
cautious and ObScrVant as 10 its work
mSs. and she has returned 10 the Roads
for Il further inspection OF il, and pos
sible reimbursement.
NEEDED HER BILGE KEELS.
Her former trouble was occasioned
to some extent by her rolling in the Very
heavy sea which she then encount cred
and it is possible she again met unusual
lyrouGh sea. When the Indiana and
Massachusetts We're designed they had
on, as is absolutely necessary for them
blge keels, but very unfortunately ali
the docks up TO The one just completes
at New York We're not OF sufficient capa-
city TO dock any OF these ships with
hlse keels, but anticipating the con
Struction and finishing Of the dock at
New York tho department some time
ago ordered bilse kceis 10 be ready for
all Of these ships. and such keels will be
placed in position as soon as possible.
Great Britain had a similar expe-
rience with her battlcshins before such
keels We're put on. The case Of the Re
solution IS well known to the profession
All over the world.
The department expects to have the
Indiana again at sea in few days"