Waterbury Democrat., 1901-06-21
PASSED THROUGH HE'LL GATE.
Battleship Massachusetts Piloted
 Through Yesterday.

odtlicSuip MdSSdSAuSCtS AiAoCCo
 Through Yesterday.
 New York, June Without asking the assistance of pilot, and to demon strate that a frst-class battleship could be navigated through Hell Gate successfully, Captain Henry M. Man ney took the big bAttleship Massachu; sctts through the tortuous, whirling, rock-bottor1ed Narrows yesterday. It was the first time in the history of the navy that any commander ever dared attempt the feat, and river craft and shores were filled yesterday to witness the trip Of the Massachusetts. A thou sand pairs of field glasses were on her as she turned first north, then east, then north again and turned again to avoid the ledge upon which many smart ship has been wrecked while going through Hell Gate.
 We'll as Captain MAnney knows the channel of Hell Gate, having taken smaller vessels through before this, his undertaking WAS characterized by Ad- miral Barker, the commandant of the navy yard, as s'a most foolhardy ven ture.''
 The passing of the mammoth lighting machine through the dangerous wa ters of Hell Gate successfully proves conclusively that in case of hostilities with foreign power a battfeship of the same draught as the Massachu- sets, If she passed the notifications of Wlilets Point and Fort Schuyler. could repeat the performance of the Massa- chusetts.
 Although Hell Gate was not mined during the Spanish American war. it was admitted at the navy yard last nlght that, if war now should occur, Hell Gate would have to be mined, as It Is no longer a question whether a snip of the size of the Massachusetts could successfully make the passage. That the Massachusetts did not take this dangerous course merely to adjust her compass or save four hours on her trip to Newburyport, practically was admitted last night. A four-million- dollar battleship hardly would be risked for these simple things.
 some excuse had to be given, so Captain Manney said he did 1t to save coal and four hours time.
 It was said by an officer last night that no commander in the navy on his own responsibility would attempt the passage of Hell Gate. Failure would mean more than dismissal from the navy.
 The Massachusetts was six minutes
 
 heaved every minute
 In her trip through Hell Gate the Massachusetts was preceded by the old-style man-of-war New Hampshire. As she approached the channel the big Warship slowed down and then went ahead at a slow rate of speed.
 The Massachusetts made a com pound curve in going through the gate. When she left Astoria she was 169 feet from the shore. She pointed to- ward Wards Island and then steered toward the Long Island shore She kept on that course until Negger's Point was reached. After that it was clear sailing.
 Although it is not believed that SO careful . man as Captain Manney gate on his own responsibility, and while 1t is believed the real cause was to test the usefulneGs of Hell Gate channel. the Washington authorities assume to be surprised, as the follow. ing from Washington would show:
 Washington, June 20.-The navy de- pertinent has taken cognixance of the action of the commander of the battle ship Massachusetts in going through Hell Gate to-day on his way from New York to Newburyport. This course is regarded QS extremely dangerous for a ship of the dimensions of the Massa-, chusetts, and as result Secretary Long issued stringent order tonight that hereafter no b2ttleship shall go through Hell Gate except under condi- tions of exceptional emergency
 Of course, it Is not now necessary to send another big battleship through, as the required knowledge has been ob- tained.. Admiral Barker in the Brook lyn navy yard professed to be sur prised.
 T cannot understand why" said Ad- miral Barker, Captain Manney should take that channel when he can just as well go out through the Narrows, and I regard it as fOolhardy undertaking. However, he has the authority to take the course he pleases. In case of a mishap he will wish he had gone the other way"
 A navy official who ought to know said the real object in sending the Massachusetts through the Narrows of the East river was to learn whether it would be practicable to send fleet of warships through the Sound, instead of through the outer harbor, should an emergency call for such action n