New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-20
IA VAL AND ARMY NEWS.

Washington January ~.
TURBINES FOR TORPEDO BOATS Commodore
Melville. Engineer-n-Chief OF the Navy has Sc
cured authority from Secretary Long to conduct
series OF tests AT the New-York Navy Yard 20
determine the suitability OF novel American steam
turbine for torpedo-boat propulsion With his Gus
tomary energy in the direction OF securing the
latest devices produced by Yankee ingenuity and
applying them 10 naval uses Commodore Melville.
who first demonstrated the advantage OF the triple
screw. which is adopted by all foreign navies
for high-cass ships. has discovered a domestic
turbine which is apparently superior In a remark
able degree to that OF the Englishman, Parsons,
which gave such marvellous results In the thirty
fve-knot launch Turbinla and he has secured Sec
rotary Longs cooperation In his efforts deter
mine what notifications II any needed 10 give
the United States the fastest torpedo boats and
destroyers afoat This domestic turbine has two
radical advantages over the Parsons mode. chief
OF which is its ability TO reverse. the other being
limited TO going ahead or stopping. With the Par
speed. it was furthermore necessary to adopt the
expedient OF putting three propelers each shaft
10 take hold OF the water. The American machine
ordinarily at six hundred revolutions which is
fair propeller speed, and great things expected
ing Bureau is also meeting with great success in
is tests Of the Stilletto In New-York Harbor with
used again with coal Among the demonstrated
o q b Oh oyer coal ARE that It rms by
loading that II burns without shovelling. thereby
pTf she WegRt FOR Of wes6 fnf has
given twice the heating power OF coal and it seems
certain that all future torpedo-boats will be built
10 burn petroleum exclusively.
STATE. WAR AND NAVY BrCYCLEs.-Chief
Engineer G. W. Baird Of the Navy, on duty as
superin tendent Of the State War and Navy De-
partment Building. has submitted TO the Secretary
of the Treasury estimate OF 81 es3 for erection
Of hreproof sheds In the courtyards OF that build
ing to protect and shelter two thousand five hun
dred bicycles. During the last year over a thou
sand wheels used by officers and clerks employed
In this building have been accommodated daily in
the corridors when II raned ard in the courts
when the weather was clear. stands being pro-
vded for the support by popular subscription
Recently however. when the Street railway sys.
tenn OF Washington has been paralyzed on some
become & nuisance yet the authorities recognize
them the only possible conveyance for those
oaices chief Engineer Bard Who has 0 nvesti-
gated the matter thoroughly. has found that the
use the wheel altogether in getting 10 work and
home hon agannare the persons who secure leas;
Ing and are the ones from whom the Government
Is getting the highest services. 50 he declares that
Il Will be a great economy 10 offer them every IN
ducement to ride their wheels TO the departments
with the assurance that they will not be ruined or
stolen during Office hours.
NAVAL ORDERs-Captan C. S Cotton ordered
to the Navy Yard. Washington.
Lieutenant Commander G.. B. HARDER detached
from the Bureau OF Equipment January % and or
Lieutenant s. W. B. Dieh detached from the
Office OF Naval Intelligence and ordered to the Blu
OF Equipment
Lleutenan; y. J. K. Patch, on completion Of ex-
animation for promotion, home and wait orders
Chief Engineer A {. Engard, ordered 10 Homo
lulu. authorized 70 delay and take steamer OF Feb
ruary instead Of January o.
Surgeon a. 6. Cabell ordered home on sick leave
OF three months.
Chief Engineer Ford Of Brooklyn has been Or
dered 10 duty feet engineer OF the Asiatic
Squadron in place OF Absolom Kirby. who has
been inyalfded hOms
Chief Engineer Perry has been detached from
the Armor Board and ordered the Brooklyn
MEDALS FOR ARMY SURGEONS-Assistant
Secretary Meikejohn has sent 10 he House OF
Representatives a letter transmitting Joint reso
luton proposing establish a memorial fund for
the late Alexander II. HoT OF the medical de-
partment OF the Army. The proposition is made
by Major John Van r. Hon. surgeon. now on duty
at Vancouver Barracks. II authorizes the Score
the sum OF s. 400 to be known as the Hoff Memorial
Fund The money IS to be deposited in the Treas
ury and il TO draw interest at the rate OF per
The interest accruing from the fund is TO
be expended under the direction OF the chief med
teal officer OF the Army for the purchase OF a
suitable gold medal each year. TO be awarded
the graduate Of the Army Medical School who
maintains the best average OF standing In class
year. a suitable medal is 10 be secured and pre-
senfed the medical officer Of the Army who
during the year shall have performed the most
distinguished medical research Surgeon General
Secretary says that the object in view Is praise
worthy and In the interest Of the service The
Assistant Secretary Endorses this opinion and asks
Congress to consider the resolution favorably.