New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-09
ORDERED TO SEA AGAIN.
THE DATTLE-SHTP INDIANA FOUND IN
GOOD CONDITION.
REPORTS DETRIMENTAL TO AMERICAN SHIP
BUILDING INTERESTS PRONOUNCED IN
FOuNDED-wIIY THE SHIP Returned
TO HAMPTON ROADS.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuNEl
Washington. Feb S.-The battie-ship ind!ana
course I'm LEI, ing Admiral Bunces fleet and returning
port formed the subject OF brief but serious con-
ference to-day between Secretary Herbert and his
bureau ADVISER As result Of the consultation the
Indiana's commander. Captain Tay.or. was pcremp-
torily ordered 10 proceed TO join Bunce." A pos
sble result OF the talk between the Secretary and
his bureau chiefs will be court OF inquiry 20 de-
termine whether there good cause Cor the ves-
sci leaving tho squadron. and II not who 10 to blame
There Is serious aspect OF the which has not
attracted the attention Of the Naval authorities, but
which has appealed to members Of Congress and 10
the shp-buiders OF the country Published reports
have gone broadcast that an American batte-ship
had TO leave the and go into port because her
turrets were not secure. Should impression Of this
Kind get abroad foreign countries might conclude
that vessels built in the United States not thor
oughly seaworthy. and no contracts for ships 10 go
abroad would be awarded to American companies.
orders from both China and Japan are expected by
domestic companies In the near future Official In
specton Of the fndanas ,irrets shows that they
strong and safe. II II Is found that
naval officers were over-cautous and slightly tmid.
domestic material and labor will not be harshly cr
csed. ana the responsibility for the Indiana seeking
refuge In harbor VIII be fixed upon an error Of
personal Judgment court of inquiry would bring
ont all the facts and place the blame If there IL
blame. where 1t belongs A number OF naval OH
dered
Secretary Herbert expects the Indiana 10 go 10
sea tonight. and proceed with dispatch 70 Charles
ton. where other vessels Of Admiral Bunces fleet
arrived to-day after encounterng some extremely
severe weather The Massachusetts, sister ship OF
the indiana was also directed 90 to Charleston
and report to Admiral Bunce. This vessel
at New-York She is expected 10 sail at once.
Her turrets are like those OF the Indiana and are
similarly secured by bolts and clips. Her
perience will be watched with much interest by
the naval authorities.
The true story OF the Indianas return 10 harbor.
free from explanation or apology was told by an
official Of the Navy Department today From
this It would appear that certain division officers
on the battle-ship. remembering a former occasion
when the turrets worked somewhat seriously. be-
came slightly alarmed and IN reporting 10 Captain
Taylor exaggerated the danger Il would also
seem that at the time the turrets were found 20
be working n little. the ship was In tho trough
Of the sea, and that n Admiral Bunco had ordered
her course changed hor rolling would have been
mu,h less and her turrets would have remained
firm. II criticism Is iustlhablo previous 10 q
formal inquiry by n court Captain Taylor lu hl9
messages 70 Admiral Bunco either sought 70 get
from that officer an order 20 have IN" vessels
changed. owing 20 representations OF -
division officer. he was ovsrcautiouS about the
safety OF tho vessel As for Admiral ounces
action there may be- blame FOR his not ordering
that m" fleet change direction so that me SHIPS
The official referred 10 said This afternoon that
anxiety on tn indiana was hrst 9ccasloned ny
Lieutenant Henderson, In charge oi me DOW " llO
guns. reporting that the turrct WAS moving slight
ly. This )nicer vas on me Indiana when s2lnr
somewhat ngerou-ly Since then pc turreis have
been mad thoroughly secure by additional heavier
bolts. Lieutenant Henderson seems 10 have fcH.d
that tho tur-ets would gather momentum "a we
get adrlfi Al thls time the ship vas rolling about
p degrees. no has no hllgo ke"ls although those
lao rgN and he inc D
her bottom Tho extent OF The motion " the iur-
r''s was only ohs-qniri"r-inch inc i1cis "'I' ~,
Tork,ne SLIGHTLY AID oarni9r hat on The previous
alarm or board. he sigualled the facts 20 Admiral
~S Van ma. Ad.-rai rmnce would change rs course
Of The ship an head her into the waves But tho
authorized me Indiana TO IAN ou' q column ana
pS@Sd S 9'T nsgi ss %Srs '5y 6c frS az
ceased. This TACT was communicated 10 Aimiral
Bunce but No mobilization Of orders was stgnalicd.
Accordingly Copan Taylor proceeded 10 Hampton
ot nv i,r ~G on ~ - VIZ ~
speot the Indiana. returned 10 me Navy Depart
so, ,Sc n,r ~ hr In GOOD ror,lor and ln nod
" no repairs The slight rolling Of her turrots
Causcd no damage Mr. Taylor pronounced hcr
turrct bolts 20 he strong and nrm. ample 10 hold
the turrots 200 any Kind ~ weather
Charlie Cramp. a member of no Philadelphia
firm which built the Indiana. reached Washington
this morning tie came here 10 impress upon tho
authorities the Injury that would ho done t0 Amer
team shiphIiliine Interests n th" impression got
alroad thai domestic labor and material wore not
t,p 20 tho highest standard Mr. CrHmp spd that
tho Indiara was constructed ON modern plans and
that her material and workmanship were mo best
obf,frahle There absolutely mo- danger ~
rnishat 20 her turro.a. secured ns they are nov.
and 10 was necessary 10 mo shiphuildlng industry
OF rho country that this fact should b" known 10
foreigner Mr. Cramp had q conference with SEQ
rotary Herbert this point to-day shortly pror-
wa.d the orders were issued for the Indiana 10 80
10