New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-03
TORPEDO IN HARD LUCK.
FOUR OUT OF THE SEVEN so FAR BUILT
DISABLED


DISABLED
Washington. Feb (SpeciaD The energetic meas
ures adopted by Assistant Secretary Roosevelt to
determine the value Of torpedo-boats have proved
effectual beyond all expectations. OF the six in
commission three disabled and will not he
available for duty again this month 1t was an
nounced by the aggressive Assistant Secretary two
months ago. when orders prepared for the
cruise of the torpedo fotila. that Leutenant-Com-
mander Kmball 20 take the little vessels as
far from navy yards and repair stations as he
could get them that he was to give them the
actual OF hard service and by developing
their weakness II they had any, convince the De-
partment what reliance could be placed on those
already built and teach designers what changes
might be advisable in future craft OF their class
The most recent report OF the results OF actual
service came by telegraph from Mobile. announcing
that docking the Dupont her port propeller strut
was discovered be broken. and until repairs were
made the boat could not Join Admiral Sicard's
squadron OF evolution In the open Gulf although
she might be used temporarily in calm haroors
under one engine The strut is the bracket outside
the hull TO sthen the propeller-shaft near the
propeller.
The Ericsson. which time gave the naval
experts no end OF trouble, and the little Cushing
which before acceptance behaved outrageousiy
were locked Mobile last week to have their hulls
painted and were found to be in excellent con-
dition. The flagship Of the fotilla. the Porter
was also locked for the purpose. but her
starboard propeller strut found cracked be
yond repair and she was therefore taken out or
dock and the Dupont put in. in order that the latter
might accompany the Ericsson and the Cushing ana
Join the big White Squadron for drills and tactical
exercises. II then that the Dupont was also
found be disa bled.
The Navy Department promptly ordered the
Herreshoffs who built these boats and who pos
sessed the patterns. cast new struts at once
making them little heavier than formerly. and 10
ship them by express 10 Mobile as soon as they
could be completed This is. however. expected
to consume from three to six weeks and II Is I'M
probable that either the Dupont the Porter Will
be Of any naval use until some uncertain date In
March
The experience OF the Foote which LEFT Norfolk
two weeks ago 10 join the fleet at Dry Tortugas.
was even more disheartening When she arrived
AT Port Royal her starboard shaft was FOUND
hanging idly asern. having broken off short where
II entered the hull When she was put in the dry
dock propeller was ruined, both were oadIy
bent ana the struts on pom sts bi he Foote
to come north TO the Norfolk Navy Yard, where
Of couple Of months. by which time the squadron
Ycrr nav '1'''@
no one knows what caused the damage to either
Of these vessels and It is remarkable that the IN.
iures were not Immediately discovered. The nrst
intimatlon that any one had OF the Gripping OF
the Dupont and the Porter was al, after tney mac ibe
Foote it suspected that something was wrong
when she entered Port Royal Harbor az CLOCK
in the morning. but it was past noon just as she
backed stop, when the propeller rell aster
and the extent OF her dangerous condition was
realized II the accidents had occurred in the
open ocean these vessels might never have oeen
heard from again. - -,
Tn Winslow which arrived at Norfolk to-day az
ter weathering tremendous gales on her run from
Newport during which she rescued TWO men
from derelict scow off New York and was eyentu-
aIlv cornpeied 10 seek shelter for one night az
Delaware Breakwater. may may not have tract
ured struts and they will be examined before she
proceeds furt her south. II is known that she mas
a bent nose caused by running into dock as
she was leaving New York few weeks ago. but
no opportunity has yet occurred 10 look into the
extent Of this trouble 49,, - tn.
The sole remaining torpedo-boat which was oullt
for the Navy is the Rodgers. now at baltimore 70
receive new engines in place OF those when were
demolished during her trial trip in Chesapeake
Raw last fall Her repairs may be completed as
carly a. next July and in the mean time her name
IS omitted from the naval lists.
The nl-iuck Of torpedo-boats has come 10 be
nroverbal in foreign naves and the experience
~ the United States is not exceptional but with
n torpedo fleet consisting OF seven vessels none OF
very high speed and four Of them disabled on the
frsi active tour OF duty. II is evident that they
are not altogether worthy Of the dependence placed
on them in emergency OF actual warfare