New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-01
DIXIE'S GUN TEST SUCCESSFUL
THE VESSEL MAY FOLLOW THE YOSEMITE
TO GEA-NOTHING HEARD OF THE
NICTHEROY.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rnrBuxs.l


fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUxEl
Newport News. Va. May S1.-The auxiliary
cruiser Dixie returned to Old Point Comfort this
afternoon. after being ct thirty hours. A
soon as his ship dropped anchor. off ysrtrss,
Monroe Commander Davis sent an officer
ashore with a dispatch. which was forwarded
TO Washington. This was probably the COM
manders report on the series OF gun tests en-
gagged in by the Di:.!e while ovss!cs TIE Viz.
glnia CaDes.
No o1lcial statement oE to the reEalt OF the
cruisers behavior at sea can be obtained. a
the officers who have been ashore maintained
str,ct reticence and made outward sign On
be,ng asked about the cruise other than to wear
q broad smile, which gee-..ed TO indicate CON-
p!ete satisfaction.
II Is learned from outside sources that can
no deoended upon that the Dixie behaved sp!en.
didlv while at sea- and her tests and target
nractice were not marked by the slightest mis-
han The c-inch guns worked satisfactorily, and
The Gnounders of course, did all that was ex-
pocted of them The chief anxiety among the
officers aboard the ship was about the strength
of the steel plates which were placed pro-
lection on the gun deck
When the Yosemite sister ship to the Dixie
returned from her trial trip 1t was learned that
her decks were torn UP by the reco Of her
5-:nch guns This unexpected mishap led the
NAVY Department TO order the Dixies deck pro-
tected with steel plates within the full range
OF each Of the guns the work being done after
the ship WAS practically completed at the ship
yard.
The Dixle's decks from what can be learned
withetood the shock OF the firing and LEFT
no trace of the strain which followed. This
was the first opportunity the Maryland Naval
Reserves had 10 handle the heavy guns on q
warship. and they acquitted themselves with
credit.
Just where the Dixie will 60 next Is not
known. but it is quite likely that she will fol.
low the Yosemite TO Cuban waters The To-
semitic Commander Emory did not sail from
Hampton Roads until late last night. II is said
that she conveyed the converted gunboat Ar
meria. loaded with shells and ammunition for
the warshps OF the DockadinS squadron
Work or the Newark is being hurried night
and day. but, as previously stated by The Tr5-
une. sire will be unable TO get away from the
Nay Yard before the latter part Of this week
II then. The general impression at the yard
seems 70 point to = delay OF a week or possibly
ten days.
The tugs Reliance and Roanoke. from the
Navy Yard, are again busy in Hampton Roads,
strengthening the cables attached TO the sub
marine mines ard extending the area Of mined
territory. Eight additional drums Of 1A-inch
cable have arrived at old Point Comfort from
the manufacturers and it is understood that
this is TO be used in extending the work, al
though the engineer officers reticent about
It's use.
Nothing has been heard at the shpyard in
regard 20 the dynamite cruiser Buffalo former
y the Nictheroy which due here several
days age. to be overhauled and strengthened by
the addition OF battery OF 6-inch guns. AS
the Buffalo and Marietta have not been reported
since parting company with the Oregon. some
apprehension is being felt by naval attaches at
the shipyard for the safety OF the two warshlps
Not having heavy armament II is possible
that the two ships took what is known the
middle course In coming up. and when oppo-
site Cape Hatteras will circle into Hampton
Roads. thus clearing any Spanish ships that
may be prowlng along the Southern coast.