The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1906-09-05
SHIPS AT ANCHOR
IN LEAST DANGER
Hints of Why Naval Review
Was Not Held Under
Motion.
TOO MANY COLLISIONS
Reports of Numerous Accidents to War
Vessels Disturb Department
Officials.

Officials OF the Bureau of Navigation
OF the Navy Department are up in the
air over reports that ships of the dit
ferent fleets We're being run aground
and their safety menaced. They are
particularly upset by these reports, eom-
ing as they did, even while the great
Atlantic fleet in all its glory, was being
reviewed by the President and Secre-
Jary of the Navy.
It has been limited in different quar-
tiers that the fleet was reviewed mt
anchor Monday 20 prevent any possible
collision, as the Mayaower could steam
In and out among them with all safety,
whereas. If they formed procession ia
oyster Bay there was a possibility Of
clash. On former reviews the ships
have passed before the President, and
the reversing OF the order was tried
this time as an innovation. The sue
cess has proved gratifying 20 every Of
fetal who has had TO DO with H.
Collisions All Too Common.
The navy has been particularly unfor-
tunate the past six months in the
handling Of the larger ships, Early in
January "a number of battIeships. while
leaving New York harbor for the winter
maneuveTs on Cuba. Clashed together
and two were laid up for repairs. while
others had narrow escapes from being
sunk. Two torpedo boats came together
later at Norfolk and one barely escaped
being sunk other batueshlps had a mix
up in Hampton Roads scarcely more
than month ago, and the Rhode Island
has had so much difficulty lodging bars
and other ships that for awhile IL was
feared she would gain the reputation Of
succeeding the Texas as the hoodoo
ship or the navy.
Saturday and Sunday nearly nifty
fighting vessels and other ships of the
Atlantic fleet We're mOblHzing al oyster
bay. there being a continuous move
mvnt Tor nearly tnlFty-siN hours But
the movement was like clock work. as
though each vessel was Ou "a railroad
track Without spurs and during the
action ia taking position for anchor
ana Ia getting away yesterday, not "a
single nixon ur miSIIp OF any kind
has been reported 90 the Navy De-
pdrLu-euJ. IL was great success, 50
Igr as L1r navy was concerned and
tac satisfaction of the President at the
appearance u- tho ships makes il. Of
course. q croWning success iu the eyes
OF tLc navy officials.
Des MOines Report Denied.
Scarcely had the review been con-
cluded when the report was spread that
she Des Nojnes, which carried the
Senators. Representatives. and foreign
naval officers 20 oyster Bay, had run
aground and it required some time 10
get her OF This report was given
Tie black eve by Com. A Z. Culver.
I'm command Of the vessel. who wired
10 the Bureau of Navigation that there
was no truth IN IL whatever stating
that there had been no accident OF any
kind. and that the ship had carried
the guests out 70 Oyster Bay and re-
turned them to New York without an
untOWard incident.
Boston Accident Exaggerated.
While Secretary Bonaparte stood by
the President admiring the ships Of his
Atlantic fleet reports were being flash
ed over the wires from Tacoma that
the cruiser Boston. of the Pacific fleet
had run on the rocks of Anacortes.
Wash. and was sinking Ohiciai dis
patches which have come later relieved
tho Washington officials. however, for
they showed the report 20 have been
greatly exaggerated.