New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-29
THE TEXAS NOT BADLY INJURED.
NAVY YARD SHOPS TO RUN DAY AND NIGHT
rN1JsTMFNTS FOR ONE YEAR.
MOVEMENTS.

Instead Of calling the Texas unlucky her crew
are now speaking Of her as THE Lucky Texas.
They say that few vessels could have come through
the accident that happened to the IeXas III the
southeast channel OF the Dry Tortugas ana escape
with as little damage she did The mlshap oc-
Cured eleven days ago at 10 o'clock In the morn
ing The Texas had been ordered 10 Hampton
Roads and was following the Iowa out or the
channel when she struck an uncharted coral reef
on the port side and careened far TO the opposite
SIDE She soon rghted herself. however.
There is now considerable conflict OF statement
as 10 the exact extent OF the injury 20 'he BOAT
whether 10 protect the reputation OF the boat or
hocousa 4, ia the unmodifed TRUTH the officers OF
the Texas stoutly insist that the damage IS con-
fined to dent and crack Of an outer steer plalo
under the port turret. Their statement II CON-
tradcted by high authority of the Navy lhIu'
who said in confidential way yesterday that Inc
machinery OF the pneumatic ammunition MOIST ana
the port turret had been wrenched so as 10 heeu
considerable repairing and adjusting
r. IS certain that both the hoist ana the turret are
being repaired and 1t is also apparently true mat
II had been planned for some time to make changes
in them The turre,s OF the Texas nave been con-
sdered faulty because the Pinch guns could he
loaded at only two angles After each shot II was
necessary TO bring the guns to one OF these TWO
positions load again. The vessel was brought TO
the Brooklyn Navy Yard. as Naval constructor
Bowes constructed the Texas and has her plans
New parts have been made Tor the ammunition
hoist. and have been awaiting the return OF the
Texas TO this navy yard for some time. The work
OF putting them in place was pushed hard yester-
day a diver sent down TO examine the dam
age to the bottom OF the vessel As soon ar the
tde IS high enough. possibly to-day, the Texas VIII
be put In Drydock No 2. Captain Philip said the
vessel had not been injured enough To prevent her
going to again at once If necessary.
New orders from Washington have brought about
a marked change IN the matter OF recruiting new
men. Sixty were taken into the service yester-
day the largest number for any day since the
Civil War Forty-seven men were recruited on Sat
uriay Late yesterday afternoon an order reached
the Navy Yard that was considered TO be highly sig
nifcant. The Secretary OF the Navy directed that
be enlisted for one year. instead OF the regular
three years. and In addition to this IT was ordered
that applicants be Informed that they would be at
liberty 10 leave the service in less than year If il
be decided that all possibility OF trouble has passed
The order likewise directed that men be enlisted
chief machiniss and petty officers. The usual prac-
tce Is simply TO enlist seamen and machin!sts and
give them chance for promotion when they in
the sevlce.
Three Of the newly bought tugs the Atlas the
$500 LnGEels ASh IL 5e \. 1il.r ~ .-.i.c .'..o
the Navy Iard Yesterday. The Winthrop
DO iSr. IRON, 'h@ - PIE cgi ''or- pdr,'. nm
10 De ono OF the best going tugs in world.
IL u OF so tcns burden. and with picked coal can
make sixteen knots. 1t Is nearly as lafge the
gunboat Petrol.
The report OF Naval Constructor Bowles regard
ms the Gokcy floating drydock has been forwarded