New-York tribune., 1908-11-23
CHANGES At NAVY YARD.
Question of the Flo1da's Engines
Settled-Marines Go Ashore.

Tho nIstho-a nf rear adrirals at the Brooklyn
navy yard will be somewhat relieved when oroefs
issued last week take effect. The first reduction in
the number came on Wednesday, when Rear Ad-
r,ral Arnold sailed on the Dolphin for Portsmouth,
n H where he has transferred his flag to the
Maine leaving Dolphin for use on special duty-
On the same day Rear Admiral Adams was oe
tscned from duty at the yard. to take effect next
MONDAY when he goes on leave for a month AT
the beginning OF the year he will take charge OF
the eth Naval District and the station at Charies-
ton S. G. his place captain Of the yard pelhg
taken by Captain Ten Eyck De Witt Veeder. who
has been detached from the battleshfp Alabama
in reserve.
Captain Nathan ETrick Niles. who goes on the
rear admfrals list six weeks ahead Of time through
the recent death Of Rear Admiral Miller. has been
detached from the receivng ship Hancock, and on
receipt of his commission will so TO the Pnlla-
deiphia Naval Home. succeeding Rear Admiral
Miller. his place the Hancock being taken by
CAPTAIN Samuel ". B. Diehl. lately in command OF
the Idaho.
Minor changes at the yard include the transfer
of Iseutanant p Curtin from the Alabama to the
Maine as ordnance of7cer. and the detachment or
Assistant Naval Constructor G. c. Westervelt from
Constructor Baxters staff. with month leave OF
absence.
The question as 10 who Will succeed Rear Admiral
Goodrich as cornnandant OF the station cn his re-
tirennent early in January IS not yet settled owing
TO recent developments in regard to shore com
nands II IS not thought that he will be kept on
indicated. II is regarded as likely that there viii
be warm contest for the place, as far as the
billet may be contested for. as Il is one OF the
most desirable in the shore service.
There is considerable worriment ar the yard over
the possibility of q ffty-me walking test for the
commissioned officers. and the old joke about
having swimming test instead Of a walking or
riding stunt is 10 the fore again It Is sare
assertion that the spectacle Of rear admTals, cap
tains, commanders. etc shorn Of their uniforms
crl1 1slniy IN fhs
OF the channel or the Whitney Basin would draw
than the usual quota OF visitors: but there IS
serious side to the subject for II is matter or
common knowledge that too small percentage
OF commissioned officers Of high rank in the navy
to-day proficient in the natatorial art In which,
Il would seem. they should he experts. Even with
the walking test, II is regarded as highly probable
that number Of retirements would be hastened If
ability accomplish the walk was made reout-
site for remaining in active service,
Although many Of the shops present almost
deserted appearance and the number Of men en-
ployed is much smaller than II was a month ago.
there signs that there VIII he rush within
short time. II announced in this column last
week that the engines Of the battleship Florida
built the ward shops, and ofncial verf-
hcaticn of the announcement came on Saturday,
although the type Of engine has not yet been Sc
lected. This will mean about s.co00o in material
and labor 70 go through the bureaus hands.
In addition this there Is the ordered change OF
the soIace from a supply 10 hospital ship, which
will work for the constructors. large
amount rehtting and alteration being required
The Alabama which is in reserve, will 60 out
Of commission when the Massachusetts, goes in.
The latter ship. which has been completely over
hauled and is practically q new vessel, has as her
only unco npleted work of importance the building
OF the STYLE Of observation mast OF latticed
steel. The felsework for this is all in position and
il is expected that the mast will be completed and
the ship in readiness late next month. Then the
Alabama will go through the same treatment the
Massachusetts has received her engines and boilers
especially needing attention.
The collier Abarenda has been toved to the yard
from Newport r. /. with her tailstaft broken.
Her propeller. fortunately was caught by the shoe
when the shaft broke and rescued by divers.
She will go into drydock No. while repairs are
being made and will be out Of commission for sonle
time Her big sister ship, the Vestal is almost
ready for commission, only g small amount Of work
remaining be done The Lebanon has also come
10 the yard for little fixing up.
Work is going ahead slowly on drydock No 4. ons