The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-10

MAY GO IN
PLUNGER

New York, Aug. 10.-1The officers about
the Brooklyn Navy Yard are greatly In
terested just at present In the rather un-
usual orders that have been received by
Lieutenant Charles Nelson, in command
OF the submarine boat Plunger. The or
ders came from the secretary OF the navy
and read:
''You are to proceed as soon as possi-
ole TO oyster Bay. and report 10 the
president"
The general impression is that Mr..
Roosevelt would like very much TO take
a trip In a submarine. II he were not
president and wants 10 see, anyway
what this crack boat can do.
Three years ago he went 10 Annapolis,
fully expecting 10 go down In the Hol-
land. but was persuaded not 10 do so by
certain members of the cabinet who had
accompanied him. On this particular oc-
casion the president is reported 20 have
turned on his heel rather sharply and
remarked that some day he would have
a chance.
When the orders came for the Plunger
to hurry TO oyster Bay the boat was in
dry dock being overhauled. She was
yanked out and is now lying in the water
way that runs through the centre OF
the navy yard.
A large force OF expert engineers and
mechanics is working night and day, get
ting the little craft into up-top shape
An entire set OF new and heavily insu-
lated electric light wires is being put
In her and the gasoline engine is under
going a complete revamping. Every bolt
and rivet is being subjected 10 athorough
resoldering and the torpedo tube gets
testing often.
II will be five days before the Plunger
will be in condition 10 make the run 10
Oyster Bay. Lieutenant Nelson, who
commands here. is considered one OF the
best experts in handling submarines that
the navy department could select.
He has picked n crew OF ten men from
the various submarines and every man is
being thoroughly drilled at his particular
post. The present plan is for Lieutenant
Shapley OF the Porpoise 10 accompany
Nelson on the trip. He has also a repu-
tation for handling submarines.
HOPE PRESIDENT WILL.
Both Nelson and shapley would be glad
IL the president would make the dive. but
they fear that IL is a case OF mo such
luck" Anyhow, they hope to show him
a few stunts.
Three torpedoes are ready 10 be placed
in the craft. and a sample Of target prac-
tice with these will be given. The tor
pedoes will not be exploded. because that
would be rather expensive sport. Instead.
two flags will be a placed ships length
apart on the surface of the water, and the
officers say they will shoot the three
missiles between the marks with ease
Owing 10 the narrow channel and shall
low water, IL is out OF the question to
dive in Oyster Bay. Instead the plunge
will be made outside in the Sound. Lieu
tenant Nelson knows these waters WELL
having experimental along there before
Just beyond the entrance TO the bay
there is a range OF from seven 10 IL
fathoms of water. and the stretch is con-
sidered an ideal one by the men in charge
OF the submarine. Furthermore. there is
mud IN Oyster Bay.
One officer stationed at the navy yard
In speaking of the Plunger's orders. said:
II wish the president would go down.
II would be a great experience for him
and one he would never forget In the
as safe as in hammock on Sycamore
Hill.
why, there would be nothing 10 pre-
vent him from trying his hand at torpedo
shooting. and wouldn't " be a great BOOM
for the submarines"
The Plunger is considered the finest
type OF our submarine boats She was
launched in 1902 and is fitted UP with
every Improvement that has been de-
vised up 10 date She is 65 feet long and
has beam OF IL feet inches
The present activity aboard her I'm the
way of repairs is not due 10 bad condition.
Ordinarily she could put out tomorrow
and make a plunge. but II she is 10 per-
form for the president she must be in
double extra top-notch condition.