The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-02-06
INDIANA UNSEAWORTHY.
Failure of the Big Battleship Is EX-
planned in q Manner Satisfactory
TO Naval Officers.

Washington, Feb. 5.-What may be
presented to foreign governments as
all ignominious failure of one of the
crack vessels of the new navy received
an explanation which navy officers of
experience regard as satisfactory the
return of the battleship Indiana to
Hampton Roads today after having
been at sea with Admiral Bunces
squadron, scarcely twenty-four hours
was due to the same turrets which got
loose in storm last fall when Captain
Evans commanded the ship in evolu-
tons off Long Island. On that occasion
the big guns projecting from the tur-
rets swung back and forth across the
decks as the ship heeled over on her
beam ends in the sea and the gravest
fears were felt that the magnificent
vessel would turn turtle as the sailors
express it, and go down with all hands.
Captain Evans hove her to, and lashed
the guns temporarily which enabled him
to reach port and then several months
We're spent at the navy yard in trying
to remedy the defect. Captain Evans
was succeeded in command by Captain
Taylor and yesterday was the first ex-
perienCe for some time in an armored
ship that has earned a reputation for
wallOWing and it is understood that the
long rollers following the recent heavy
gale made themselves felt on the ship
when the fleet got off Hatteras. If she
had not been restricted to squadron for
nation Captain Taylor might have
headed his course into the seas but as
the New York, with her high free board
ana notable stability was setting the
course and as the Indiana could not
safely stay with the fleet she was per-
mitted to return. If her turrets had
broken loose off Hatteras the ship might
have been lost. The navy department
gave out the following statement re-
eardng the matter this afternoon:
The Indiana returned today to Hamp-
ton Roads, having made run with the
squadron. When she went out this time
she had new locking device for her tur-
rets lately put on at New York and which
was intended to remedy the trouble she
had the last time she went out to sea in
heavy weather. This present device
has three times the strength of the
former one. Every officer of the ship has
been cautious and observant as to its
workings, and she has returned to the
Roads for further inspection of it ana
possible adjustment Her former trou-
Bile was oCCasOned to some extent by her
rolling in the very heavy sea which she
encountered and it is possible she again
met an unusually rough sea. When the
Indiana and Massachusetts were designed
they had on, as absolutely necessary for
them, bilge keels, but very unfortunately,
all the docks up to those just completed,
were not of sufficient capacity to
dock any of these ships with bilge
keels, but anticipating the construction
and finishing of the dock at New York,
the department some time ago ordered
blge keels to be made ready for all OF
these ships, and such keels will be placed
in position as soon as possible. Great
Britain had similar experience with her
battleships before such keels Were put
on. The department expects to have the
Indiana again at sea in a few days.