Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-06-13
Pumps Keep Monitor Af|oat
After Torpedo Strikes.
TEST is SATISFACTORY
Warship Not vitality Damaged and
Still in Fighting Trim.
CABINET OFFICERS PRESENT
Target Vessel to Be Toved to Nor.
folk Navy Yard and Dry Docked
Immediately.

FORTRESS MONROE. Va. June 49,
Early today in Hampton Roads. the mon
itor Florida, fortified with a water-tight
hulkhead specially constructed and de-
signed to represent actual war condt-
tons, was fired into with an American
Whitehead torpedo.
The test was satisfactory. The Florida
was seriously but not vitality damaged.
and the injury done Is said to be largely
localized. Further tests are unnecessary.
The test took place on schedule time.
Naval officials declare the damage done
is largely localized. and If the Florida
were a battleship she would be in con-
dition to keep in the fight.
Guarded by Trolley Wire.
The scene was most spectacular. As
the torpedo hit the vessel just about mid
ships and four feet below the water line
a great column OF water, estimated at
two hundred feet in height and one hun
dred feet in width. rising into the air.
The torpedo. guided by trolley. struck
squarely at the point marked and pene-
trated the double bottom and the coal
bunker forming part Of the compartment
attacked. Pumps Immediately were set at
work and preparations made to tow the
vessel to the navy yard for dry docking
The Florida listed about sixteen inches
on the starboard and aft, but vigorous
work at the pumps kept her from touch
ing bottom.
The crew Of about thirty men and Ad-
miral Mason and other officials of the
ordnance bureau boarded the monitor on
reaching the place where the test was
to be held and remained there when the
torpedo tore into the hull. The effect OF
the contact and explosion was practically
the same as when a shell was fired at the
monitors turret several weeks ago.
Impact Shakes Vessel.
Onicials saw the torpedo about as it
emerged from the gun and followed its
course by the ripping OF the water. The
torpedo gathered speed as it progressed
along It's course and struck home. shak-
ing the vessel as though there had been
a collision with another craft.
A thorough inspection Of the lower por-
tions of the vessel was at once begun by
ordnance and other officials.
Secretaries Metcalf and Taft and Post
master General Meyer also went aboard
the Florida in the launch Wahneta and
joined with others in looking at the 'nc:-
dental damage on the fittings about the
deck Of the ship caused by the shock.
After spending half an hour aboard tn,
Florida they returned % the Maynower IN
the middle OF the stream, which later left
for Washington.
The Mayfiower was engaged for some
time in wireless telegraph communication.
presumably with the navy yard and White
House at Washington.
Secretary Taft evidently was greatly in
terested in what he had seen and frankly
confessed that the damage from the ex-
plosion was not as great as he had ex-
pected it would be. The inspection Of the
engine room and fire rooms showed them
to be perfectly dry and that the snip had
| not heop injured in her VitalS,
Purpose Of Test.
The object sought in the test was to de-
termine whether this special form Of bulk
head with which. If formidable. all
modern American ships OF war probably
will be provided can successfully with
stand the force of the explosive contained
in the torpedo, or In default Of that
whether the effect Of the charge will be to
scatter destruction far and VIDE ana possl-
Today's test with the Florida was the
first experiment of the kind in the Ameri-
can navy
ment will be a guide for construction
officials in building water-tight compart-
ment bulkheads Of the new Dreadnaughts,
North Dakota and Delaware, now partial
Utah, authorized at the last session Of
Congress.
Witnesses the Test.
Secretary Metcalf left Washington last
night aboard the Presidents yacht May
flower to observe the tests. and had as
his guests Secretary Taft, Postmaster
General Meyer and several other officials.
The Mayfower arrived here at half past
6 O'Clock thin morning.
After a hasty breakfast the party trans
ferred to tug so as to be able to get
nearer to the Florida than they could In
the Mayflower. The weather was beau
tiful and the party enjoyed the trip
greatly.
A dozen naval and army officials came
down on the Norfolk boat to witness the
| test. including Admiral Mason. Com
mander Smith and Lieut.. Brady Of the
ordnance bureau. Chief Constructor
Caps. Capt Fletcher of the general
board, Lieut. Commander Zenn. in charge
of the torpedo station at Newport; Gen.
Arthur Murray. chief Of artillery, and
Lieut.. Col. Porter. assistant judge advo-
| cate general.