New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-22
STEEL DECKS FOR CRUISERS.
ACCIDENT TO YOSEMITE SHOWS THE
NEED OF THEM.
THE CONVERTED coAsTwIsE STEAMSHIPS
REQUIRE STRENGTHENING MORE DE-
FENCES AT FORT MONROE
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBCNE.1


FENCES AT FORT MONROE
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Newport News. Va, May 2l.-The mishap 20
the Yosemite while at Thursday morning
may be the means Of calling in all Of the auxiliary
cruisers in the Navy. to be fitted out with steel
decks covering the range OF their guns. The
st. Paul Is the only auxiliary warship In the
Navy carrying steel decks. hence it will be seen
that the lesson found in the Yosemites mis-
fortune may be prohted by to such an extent
that all Of the converted cruisers may have to
undergo further alterations and additions.
The damage wrought by the after 5-inch guns
on the Yosemite was brought about under pc
cuar and most trying circumstances. While
the target practice was IN progress the ship as
sumed a raking position on the quarter OF an
imaginary enemy. and In swinging one OF the
after guns Of the main battery, shot driven
by a full charge OF powder was fred across
the deck 10 see what effect the blast would have
on the light deck. The result was startling.
Several square feet Of planking were torn up
and scattered about the deck.
STEEL DECKS FOR CRUISERS
The Yosemite is still at Old Point tonight,
but II is stated that she will come back to the
shipyard tomorrow or Monday 10 have all OF
the woodwork In the rangs Of the guns torn out
and replaced with steel plating. Just as soon
as the Yosemite returned from her practice
cruise. Commander Emery informed the Navy
Department Of the casualty and within TWO
hours the shipyard authorities received instruc-
tons TO plate the decks OF the Dixie.
This was dlscouraglng news for Commander
Davis and his 400 Maryland Naval Reserves
but they realized that It would be folly for the
Dixie. with 6-inch guns to 60 out without pro-
tected decks when her sister ship. with 5-inch
rifles suffered so much damnge
1t is understood that the Yankee and PRAIRIE
neither Of which have protected decks as wen
as other auxiiaries. will return TO the shipyards
and Navy yards 10 receive this necessary
STRENGTHENING material The Dixie will remain
at the shpyard until Monday. and possibly
later In the week The Kearsarge received the
last Of her boilers to-day. and on Monday the
work Of hosting boilers aboard the Kentucky
will begin.
SUSPECTED STRANGERS.
Unofficial information comes from Old Point
Comfort 10 the effect that two foreigners were
arrested on the Beach Boulevard Just outside
the fort this afternoon. a short distance from
the residence OF Mrs r. d. Evans. wife OF
Fighting Bob" Evans OF the battle-ship Iowa
1t Is reported that the two strangers arrested
managed to procure passes on the pretence mat
thew wanted 70 see residences inside the lines.
and, on the presentation OF proper credentials
the guard at the gate. which is directly In the
rear OF the Hygeia Hotel. STOPPED the strangers
examined their passes and allowed them 10 pro-
coed But II is rumored that the two men began
10 show too much interest in the progress Of
the work on both the rapdnre and disappear
Ing gun batteries. and were promptly placed
% re corr
One man. IL is said. had papers and plans Of
Importance In his possession. This man was
held but the other. who carried nothing 10 show
that he is a spy. Is said 10 have been LIBERATED
Information about the arrest IL meagre. and
the story which is given by parties regarded
as trustworthy must yet he officially con-
frmei.
Government engineer who has been con
Quoting the work Of blowing up the wreck q
the old Dominion steamship Wyanoke. the last
vest!ge o. which vas removed n, noon to-day
informed The Tribune correspondent tonight
that the engineers detailed here have received
instructions TO remain for the purpose Of laying
out the empacements al Point Breeze. where
he said an irlprovised fort Will be erected just
as soon the necessary material can be sent
TO that point
NEW DEFENcEs AT FORT MONROE.
The battery Will consist OF six 6-inch rapid
fire guns The PENNSYLVANIA artillerymen sta
toned at the shipyard will man the stronghold.
which will be built simply Of concrete, clay and
sand
Ten Greeks came over from Liverpool on one
OF the foreign steamers this morning 70 enlist
In the United States Navy II their services will
be accepted by the Government Some Of the
men are engineers. and the others are oilers
They have seen service in the Greek navy. and
are willing % enlist as ordinary seanen.
The United States collier Lebanon sailed out
Of Hampton Roads this morning for Key West
carrying $500 tons OF coal and quantity Of
supplies for the warships IN Cuban waters The
torpedo boat Mckee. which is awaiting sailing
orders at the Navy Yard. will. II Is stated. take
the inside route through the Albemarle and
Chesapeake Canal. II ordered South. The voyage
down through the canal IS attended with less
danger. as the vessel can avoid Cape Hatteras.
Colonel Marye has gone TO Washington on or
ders and Lieutenant Colonel Hasbrouck is now
In temporary command OF Fort Monroe. II is
immediate vicinity OF the Virginia Capes.
merchantmen coming in at this port report havs
ing sighted no naval vessels whatever. There
has been no vessel in from Southern ports, how
ever
CADETS TO SEE REAL WAR.
Annapolis. Md May 2l.-superntendcnt Cooper
OF tho Navay Academy announced to-day that
the Navy Department had ordered that tho second
class O. cadets be sent TO the regular war
r,tc In ha ~