The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-06
TROUBLE WITH HER TURRETS.
THE INDIANA PUTS BACK TO
HAMPTON ROADS.

She started for Charleston with Adj
mirnl BUnce's squadron, Bat Her
oaicers We're Afraid TO Continue
on in the Heavy Sea-simiIar
Trouble on = Previous Voyage
Caused Fears That She Would
Founder
Fort Monroe. Va, Feb. 5.--The battle-
ship Indiana, which sailed yesterday with
Admiral Bunce's squadron for Charleston,
> c., returned to Hampton Roads this aft
ernoon at 1 o'clock to await orders
Washington, Feb. 5.-What may be rep
rensented TO foreign governments as ig-
nomious failure of one of the crack YES
sells of the new navy has received an ex-
PLANTATION which navy officers of expert
ence regard as satisfactory. The return
of tho batteship Indiana to Hampton
Roads to-day after having been at sea
with Admiral Bunce's squadron scarcely
tWenty-four hours. was due to the same
turrets which got loose in a storm last
iall, when Capt. Evans commanded the
ship in evolutions off Long Island. On
that occasion the big guns projecting from
lhe Jurrets swung back ana forth across
the decks as the ship healed over on her
peam ends IN the sea, and the gravest
fears were felt that the magnificent vessel
would turn turtle" as the sailors express
u, and 20 down with all hands. Capt.
Evans move her to and dashed the guns
temporarily, which enabled him to reach
port, and then several months were spent
defect.
Capt Evans was succeeded in command
by capt Taylor, formerly of the war col
lege, and yesterday was Capt Taylor's
hfst experience for some time in an arm
ored ship that has earned reputation for
wallowlng, and it is understood that the
rollers following
gale made themselves felt on the ship
when the fleet got off Hatteras. If she
had not been restricted to squadron form
alton Capt Taylor might have headed his
course into the seas but the New York,
with her high freeboard and notable sta
blty was setting the course, and as the
Indiana could not safely stay with the
ieet she was permitted TO return. If her
turrets had broken loose off Hatteras the
ship might have been lost
The navy department gave out the fol-
lowing statement regarding the matter
this afternoon. The Indiana returned to-
day 70 Hampton Roads, having made
run with the squadron When She went
ont this time she had with her a new
locking device for her turrets. lately put
on at New York. and which was intended
TO remedy the trouble she had the last
time she put 90 sea In heavy weather. This
present device has three times the strength
OF the former one. Very properly the OF
icers OF the ship have been cautious and
ohserVant as to It's workings, and she has
returned 70 the roads for a further inspec-
| ton of II and possible re-adjustmcnt Her
! former trouble was occasioned TO some
! extent by her rolling IN the very heavy
sea which She then encountered, and it Is
| possible She again met IA unusually rough
sea. When the Indiana and Massachu-
sets were designed, they had on,
as is absolutely necessary Tor them, bilge
keels but very unfortunately all the
docks up to the one just completed al
New York, were not of sufficient caDac-
ity to dock any OF these ships with bilge
keels bat anticipating the construction
and finishing of the dock at New York,
the department some time ago ordered
blge keels to he 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 case of the Resolution
being well known to the profession all
over the world.
'',rhe department expects to have the
Indiana again at sea i'm a few days"