The Washington times., 1905-12-29
DRyDOCK DEWEY
] NOW ON HIGH SEAS
Departure of Craft a Mas
terly Stroke.
FIRST STOP AT PORT SAID
Fleet Will Keep in Touch With the
World by Means of Wire
less System.
FIRST STOP AT PORT SAID

Oficers of <ie United States Navy are
interested I'm the cruise of the NAM
moth steel floating drydock Dewey.
which is now on its way across the At
lantic by way of the Suez canal to the
Philippines where it will be stationed
at Cavite Under command of Com
mander r. II. Hosley who has seen
forty years of sea service and been
through the Suez a dozen times or more,
the expedition. consisting of the cum
bersome dock. three towing vessels and
a dispatch tug, got away yesterday
afternoon without accident The start
was made from Solomons Island. in the
mouth of the Patuxent river, in the low
er Chesapeake. where it was taken after
being turned over to the Government
by tn Maryland Steel Company.
Mastery Seamanship.
The departure of the dock without
hitch of any kind is considered py naval
officials IN Washington as both a mas
terly stroke of seamanship and an exem-
plification Of the amazing capacity of
the Drum Point harbor. The mere feat
of getting the monster craft once in
motion itself is considered worthy of
notice. In getting out OF the harbor into
the bsy a huge loop was made by the
four towing vessels This required sew
eral hours and the attention of several
hundred men. Commander Hosley Anal-
" started out with the hope that such
another difficulty would not be necessary
before reaching Subig Bay. the destina-
ton, more than half way round the
globe
Early yesterday morning, after Com
mander Hosley and his crews had work
ed day and night nearly all week, the
imposing arrangements for the start had
been completed, and nothing held the
dock in position but one ponderous 5000
pound anchor Then came the splendid
manipulation of strong ships and giant
gear. Alter all arrangements had been
completed. and the masters and crews
of all the vessels had been drilled in
the parts they were to take. it required
constant watchfulness and work TO get
the dock properly under way. and more
than 400 skilled men were employed. 1t
the loop alone.
Giant Tow Line.
The giant tow line, a mile long, was
first taken up a quarter of a mile from
the dock by the Brutus, the Caesar be-
ing another quarter mile ahead and
the giant government tug Potomac in
the lead. As the expedition passed out
into the bay the Glazier. Commander
Hosley's flagship. was in the. rear, and
following Il was the StringhaITl The
Lebanon and Mohawk accompanied the
dock, one on either side. TO keep it
level in the bay The extra ships all
cropped out at nightfall. and when the
expedition is well out at sea the Glacier
wifi take the place of the Potomac.
The Brutus and Caesar are auxiliary
L.
ship. The Potomac is taken along to
be used In towing in an emergency and
to convey Commander Hosley about
from one ship TO another and TO the
dock. 1t Will also carry supplies TO the
dock
Each of the five vessels OF tie expe-
ditioa are fitted out with Wireless mes
sage apparatus, and during most Of The
FIVE six months -euu'red for the
trip Commander Hosley expects to be
in communication with wireless sta
tions and ocean liners. The only stop
scheduled is at Port Said, the entrance
TO the SueZ, but IL is expected that
Commander Hosley and his men will be
able to keep posted on the principal
events Of the day through means of
wireless messages. Bulletins of news
events will be displayed on each vessel
as received.
Although the trip will be a long and
tedious one, the men are well provided
for in the way of entertainment. All
such games as cards, checkers, and
chess have been provided, and each YES
sci, including the dock, is fitted out
with an elaborate library and all the
latest American. European, and French
magazines The auxiliary colliers are
heavily laden with coal, while the GIa-
eier is loaded with provisions sufficient
for six months. On the dock is an ex-
ira towing line. giant anchors and num-
erous appliances for any possible ener-
gency.
Slow Progress.
Up to last midnight the dock had been
conveyed at the rate Of only about two
miles an hour. 1t is expected that the
average speed Will be about four miles
an hour or 100 miles day
Heinrich Hansen. Of the Maryland
steel Company, was engaged at the last
moment to accompany the dock. Mr.
Jansen, who is a constructing engineer
or the company, is the designer of the
Dewey.
Will Pay Heavy Toll
This mammoth floating steel dock