The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-18
- - = - 80 ~.
WORK ON THE:PLUNGER.
It Will Be Hoistcd on tho Ways at tho
$500 TriDr Yards

It Will Be Hoisted on tho Ways ut the
Trisg Yards.
The long-awaited P1unger, as stated
IN yesterdays Times. now floats in the
dock at the side of the Trisg ship-yards
at the foot of Seventeenth Street, the
cynosure of many curious eyes. But no
one is allowed to go aboard the lit
tie craft and even to get within short
range of it one has to have a permit
The trip from Baltimore was made in
good time and was uneventful. She left
her moorings at 4 o'clock Tuesday morn
ing. pulling up at Hampton Roads at >
O'Clock in the morning of the next day. i
AT Newport News she laid over few
hours on account Of the storm, but after
that proceeded on her way without in
terruption.
The Plunger is a twin-sister to the IA
nous submarine boat HOLLAND" - and
is a great success. She draws about ten
feet of water, and is painted dark gray.
She has been over good portion of the
bottom Of the PataDsco river and Chess
apeake bay ia
The improvements to be added at the
Triggs yards will greatly advance the
value of the boat The steam machine
ry will al, be removed and electric. en-
gincs will be substituted. This will en-
tail cost Of about $4,000 and will con-
sumo about six or seven months. The
work will be begun as soon as the ma
chinery can be removed and the boat
hoisted on the ways.
THE PLUNGER'S MATE.
1t is interesting to note, in connection
with the arrival of the PlunEer at the
William r. Trigg Company's ship-yard,
the following, Which was taken from the
Baltimore Sun:
The Herald tomorrow will publish the
following dispatch from Washington.
two 6f
Of the House Committee on Naval At
fairs. has received from Admiral Dewey
a copy Of a memorandum prepared BY
that officers aid, Lieutenant II. q. Cald-
we'll, upon the recent tests of the Hol-
land submarine torpedo boat, ana VINO
was aboard the latter craft. Admiral
Dewey. It is understood. endorses the re-
port Of his aid, who expresses the belief
that d determined enemy with q sub
marine boat of the Holland type. could
have made impossible the occupation of
Manila Bay by the AdmiraIs squadron.
The report says in part:
Throughout the performance there
was no accident or hitch or any sort,
and the ease with which either part OF
the mechanism was manipulated was par
tIcularly irnnressing.
Each member of the crew had a
special station. where he remained during
the runs. Although these men were all
highly skilled and showed confidence
due to their long service In the boat
think the duties could be easily performed
by the petty officers OIL lIle navy d. &c.
a short trial. The boat did not roll, and
she only pitched slightly at the time fe Of
after attaining the required depth. The
torpedo was discharged with the greatest
ease Only very slight shock occurred
to the boat when the torpedo was fired
The captain gave orders to the cns1,
neer by the ordinary method of bells, and
to the torpedo men and PUMP men n by ny
the gearing Of the propelling engine at
all times when under way made 1T 5neces,
sary for the word to be passed by several
men; but at no time was there the slight
est confusion or hesitation In obey1ns
orders. When submerged the boat was
Kept at the chosen depth without R.r'ton any
r,IdGer. The evenness Of the immersion
was well shown BY the depth gauges qlasn put tpt
other vessels from the positions OF the
nags. 49,. f,a-o 40
FIRST immersion the water as seen through
the headlights was entirely opaque; ana
black During the nearly three hours ti.o we
, ~,