The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-08-01
DRY DOCK DEWEY'S TRIP
Valuable Information Gathered
From Voyage to Manila.
USE OF OIL IN STORMS NOTED
Beneficial Results Reported From
Various Vessels Of the Convoy.
Greatest Distance Made In One Day
Was Little over One Hundred and
Fifty-two Nautical Miles-Picture of
Historical Value Secured.

Ftfty-twO Nautical Miles-Picture of
Historical Value Secured.
The floating dry dock Dewey a few
days ago was scheduled to leave Singa-
pore on the last leg Of the famous
cruise which is expected to end at Ma
Mia BY the middle Of July, says a
Washington dispatch to the New York
Tribune. The dock and its consorts,
the Glacier, the Caesar, the Brutus and
the Potomac, all under the command
of Commander H. II. Hosley, U. s. NJ,
reached Singapore the other day after
an uneventful voyage across the In
dian ocean, the greatest days run hav-
ing been 152 nautical miles.
Few naval movements in recent
years have attracted so much attention
as the voyage Of the floating dry dock
from Chesapeake bay to it's probable
station at Olongapo or Cavite, in the
Philippines. In the first place, the
towing Of such huge body so great a
distance was something of a problem
in navigation in itself. Then there was
the danger Of storms, especially In the
Indian ocean, and the officials awaited
with keen interest the news that Com
mander Hosley and his vessels with
the dry dock had reached a port of
safety.
The navy department has received a
series Of reports from Commander Hos
ley in regard to the use of oil during
storms and rough weather encountered
by the dock towing expedition, which
will be published for the benefit Of the
service. When the convoy was fitting
out last winter large quantity of oil,
some seventy barrels, was placed on
board the ships, and 1t has been freely
used by them during the cruise as &C.
casion arose.
On the Glacier 1t was observed that
large oily patches aste-n resulted, but
the oil did not spread out entirely into
the wide ''slick" that one would expect
to see after becoming familiar with the
literature on the subject. Some benefi-
cial results were reported from the Gla-
cier from the use Of oil. Observers on
the dock said that oil distributed from
a hose running over the bow reduced
the amount Of water coming on board
by about one-half, but otherwise there
was no appreciable difference in the
general comfort on the dock. A report
from the Brutus says that the oil re.
duced the crest of the waves almost
entirely, while with the Potomac the
use OF the oil had good effect, but
had to be discontinued. owing to the
fact that 1t came back on deck over
the low scuppers and freeing ports and
made footing difficult and dangerous.
The transfer OF the Dewey from
Chesapeake bay to the Philippines Is
a practical demonstration of the mobil.
fty OF such structure. The value Of
the type as an auxiliary of the feet on
the firing line Is no longer questioned.
1t furnishes what may be called
floating navy yard, since it is capable
OF lifting a disabled ship out Of the
water, permitting repairs to be made
without the delay Of taking the vessel
In crippled condition a long distance
to shore plant. Then. too, the floating
dock may be used as an adjunct Of the
navy yard itself. A vessel returning
from battle badly damaged with its
draft increased would not only not be