Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-26
OUT OF CD MA1ISSIOS.
Unc'e Sam May shelve the T. xas and
OH VESSEL,
repairs.


been at the Norfolk navy yard for the
past Two weeks undergoing repairs may
be put out of commission in order IL
provide ether ships in the navy yard
with officers and men. The battlesh;p
Indiana. at New York, may also be ut
out OF commission for the same reaS n
Secretary Long is considering the adj
Visibility Of laying up in ordinary some
Of the arnored vessels alta he'd to the
North Atlantic station SO that their of
1icers and crews may be distributed
among the ships Of the great fleet now
in the Philippines.
In two or three months tn. big bat
tleships kearsarge and Kentucky Mill
so in commission and it will be neccs-
sary 70 have Il compliment of 1910 Off
GERS and men for both ships.
This la * Of officers and men for YES
Sells in commission has proved a S.ri-
Gus embarrassment 70 the department
An example is afforded in the case OF
the cruiser Detroit. Which was recently
detailed TO protect american interes, :
in Santo Domingo during the troubles
there in addition - similar duty in
Venezuelan waters.
The department has practically decid :
ell 10 Withdraw The bartleshlp Indiana
from service. ana it is probable that
the batllcship Texas will be laid up
also. This will give nearly I, thousand
enlisted men for service on other YES
sells. Nearly every ship III the Philip
pines is short handed. the commissions
ing tthc Sunhoats captured or plr-
chased from Spain at Manila having
proved 70 serious drain on the person
nell
Capt. Francis w. Dickins has been in
command of the Indiana since October
D only. and it will be necessary 10 assign
him 10 another command if his ship is
laid up. Capt Charles 3. Sigsbee. of
the Texas. has nearly completed the
regular tour Of sea duty, which began
with his assumption of the command Of
the Maine and he Will probably be as
| signed TO shore service il the Texas is
placed out Of commission.
kEARSATaGE S EQUIPMENT.
I There seems 70 be some question
about the place Where the battleship
kearsarge will be equipped and sup
piled with men. The contrac, requires
that she shall be equipped for sea. after
leaving the hands of rhe builders, at
the Norfolk navy yard. Recently dis
patches from: Washington stated thai
he ship would probably be sent to New
York for this work. No information or
q positive nature has been received ut
the shipyard.
The kearsarse's complement will
number go officers and men AS the
SNIP must be thoroughly tested at sea
as soon as she is completed and turned
over 10 the government. it will be nee
essary for the Navy Department 10
supply her With men a, once. Unless
me cnlistments in the navy are more
encouraging in the next few weeks it
may be necessary 10 put another ship
out OF commission in order 70 furnish
the kearsarSc with men. The Rear
Sarge'S. fourteen 5-inch guns arc ex-
pected to arrive here in Il week
PAINTING TINE KENTUCKY.
The work OF painting the battlesnip
Kentucky white has commenced and in
a lew DAYS the big ship will be trans
formed from Il gray to a white monster.
She is ranidy getting into condition
for her builders trial at sea- which will
take place next Tuesday.