The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-09
THE FIGHTING ENGINEERS.
An Editorial Response to Captain
ChadWicI1's Reply to Warren.

The Engineering Magazine, in it's next
issue, will contain the following editorial
comment upon Mr.. Warren's article THE
Fighting Engineers at Santiago, and Capt.
Chadwicks reply thereto"
The thanks of the Engineering Magazine
are due, and are most cordially extended
to Captain Chadwick for his attention
to Mp Warrens article in January
issue. 1t is a matter for further satsfac-
ton that his comment has the Endorsement
of Admiral Sampson" The essential thing
is that the truth be made clear, by resort
to the fixed facts and the highest author
tiles. and the Engineering Magazine well
comes correction, where it is needed, as
warmly as it does Endorsement.
If the distance from the MORO to the
Colon be forty-nine miles, instead of forty
five. as Mr.. Warren stated, it is right the
fact should be brought out; but Captain
Chadwick himself suggests a doubt as to
the accuracy of the chart on which all the
measurements are based. Mr.. Warren's pur-
pose, however, was not to establish any
geographical details, but to serve the nation
and the navy, in all it's branches-the bridge
as fully as the engine room-by drawing
seryiceable lessons from the first actual
test Of the existing order under fighting con-
ditions.
1t is here that Captain Chadwicks con-
tribution is most valuable. He strongly con-
firms Mr.. Warren's argument-exactly in
some points, generally in others-in which
different basis of measurement makes a
close comparison impossible Mr. Warren
states both times and speeds between start
and finish; Captain Chadwick takes inter-
mediate points. Thus he gives the New
YorkS time until she slowed down as she
neared the Colon" he states the respective
speeds OF the New York and Brooklyn as
being IA and 1872 knots (Mr. Warren gave
1l.06 and l3O6)-but Captain ChadwickS fig
ures are between points of departure taken
after the chase was well begun while Mr..
warren considers the whole time OF run
ming, including the slow getting under way
due to the unpreparedness which is his
principal theme.
Mr.. Warren strongly-even picturesuuey-
describes the tremendous Efforts made to
remedy the original appropriateness of the
fleet. He says that ''at the end of the bat
tie, all the BrOoklyns boilers were steam
ing at maximum pressure, and that three
hours after the New York started on her
westward chase she had steam in all her
boilers
The fact that this was not so at the start
is undisputed. Taking the speed, as Capt:
basn t6e te s gi1Se WaS Me
knots when she is rated at twenty-one, and
the Brooklyn thirteen and two-tenths, when
she is rated at twenty-five.
Mr.. Warren says the forward engines of
the New York were disconnected; Captain
Chadwick confirms 1t, and the same thing
applies to the Brooklyn. Indeed it is so
stated in Admiral Simpsons official report.
Mr.. Warren says of the New York, There
were boilers disconnected, empty and, Of
course, fireless." Captain Chadwick agrees
that there were-tWo disconnected and fire
less, one of them empty. He says nothing
about the steam pressure in the four which
Captain Chadwick says no salt water was
put into the New York's boilers. Mr.. War
rem did not assert that there was. He does
Gov hot Iad
with sea water after the chase began, and
he knows his facts. That it was true of
more than one ship, in spite of the circular
order of Admiral Sampson of May g."
which covered this matter in great detail"
is established by authority of Engineer-in-
chief Melville, who says: There was
trouble on several ships with collapsed fur
naces due to the formation of scale in conse-
Quence of the forced use of salt water for
extra feed" 1t is freely indicated in Com
modore Melville's official report and OIL
cially admitted as regards the Texas
1t is evident that, with this possible excep-
ton. there Is no real controversy in matters
of fact between Captain Chadwick and Mr..
Warren Indeed, they must confirm each
other for the captain speaks with the
ship. while Mr.. Warren's information comes
from sources above suspicion or cavil.
Much of it may be found in Admiral Samp-
sons official report already published.
The significant part of Captain ChadwicI's
statement IS his extenuation of the facts.
THE New York was using forty-five tons
Of coal a day on the blockade as it was"
and coal economy he thinks, was more i'm
portant than readiness to use full power at
any moment. Mr.. Warren gives the idea
that the bridge officers did not realize when
they imposed these conditions of economy,
how hard ii would be TO rise to the always
imminent emergency when it should finally
come. In this connection his paper has its
immediate value. II makes clear the diff
Guilty which will be necessary and perma-
nent so long as the ordering of the move
ment Of the ship and the management IF her
motive power are in the hands of different
neither of whom understands the
work or the difficulties of the other
From the nature Of the case the source Of
the information IN Ar. Warren's article can
not be disclosed. The Engineering Magazine
assures its readers that the Information Is
beyond all question. With this reafEirma-
ton of the accuracy of every essential par
ticular, the Engineering Magazine desires
to couple a most earnest statement of its
position. II desires 70 create no sensation
10 excite no controversy. TO make no