New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-17
NAVY YARD NOTES.


Captain John A Rodgers is chairman, has been
for several weeks conducting a series OF interest
ing competitive tests OF the various systems OF
wireless telegraph between the station at Navesiuh
Highlands end the the New-York Navy
Yard Last week the board tested the Rochefort
Il made some tests between the station at the High
lands and the cruiser Topeka al sea. the vessel be-
ing thoroughly equipped for both experiments and
make some tests with the Telefunken system which
is said 20 be a modification OF the Slaby-Arco
system
The torpedo boat oBrien has been Ave differ
ent times to make official speed trial and each
time part OF the machinery has broken down.
In four Instances. two Of which occurred Fri
days, the vessel broke down before the trial could
be concluded. but on Monday last she made
cessful one hours run, required by the Navy
Department. and broke down after the trial
ended She made the run up Long Island Sound
over a measured course. and after concluding the
hours series OF runs and was on her way back 70
the navy yard. her air pump became deranged and
some parts nae nsd 10 be renewed: Easly TINS
ceptance trial. which will be conducted by Lieu
tenant Commander Emil Thesis.
An examination OF the records OF all the torpedo
boats made under The direction OF the Navy De-
partment shows that only OF the entire number
in the navy has escaped breaking down at some
period. These breakdowns pertain mostly to the
machinery. and though none have been OF de-
cidedly serious nature, the naval inspection board
has been induced 10 recommend heavier construc-
ton of machinery. should the change involve
a loss Of speed In other words, twenty i've knot
thought to be more desirable than one OF thirty
unable TO cope with ordinary weather conditions.
The Navy Department has also ordered that fire.
quent inspections be made of the boilers OF all OF
the torpedo boats especially after they have been
chased water tube boilers. with bent tubes where
sheet hence the expansion of the ends slight
10 insure that the tube Will not draw out under
that n az such boilers the tube end must go
steam drum. and then be sweled to tight Joint
with the proper Tools
The old ,rfgate Constellation out OF the dry
dock on Tuesday and was towed around TO Whit
nev Basin The discontinuance of work on her
caused some surprise. but Il is explained that there
| being so much 10 do at the navy yard here with
| Chattanooga and six torpedo boats. II would be
| hest TO send the Constellation Boston to have
| her re1sirs com pleted. and she will be towed 10
| that navy yard In re" oays
The cruiser Dixie which arrived from the West
Indies a couple of weeks ago and has been up
| c-ae,.d 90 take the Naval Militia Of New-York
state for a practice cruise OF nine days. She will
| h.g,n The cr,,s. on Saturday next. taking
board the LIST Battalion 2. 81 pss,ajs. ~ p-oah
| ivn and the separate division or hochester Inc
cruise will be to Bu5zard Rhad me- .hs hav nd
Massachusetts win Join in target practice; thence
| 10 Bedford and along tie Te"-Hasiaho coast
~ .,,n,sx shin Glacier. which returned from
| so,,,e-,, waters a few days ago. went to Boston
| an Friday and viii undergo extensive repairs
a. that navy yard. For a long time the boilers
of the vessel been IN , Daa cqnoi.ion sno y
nergb new boilers would have been put into her.
but this well a. so5e na az
ma me Is 70 be put out OF comrnh aim