New-York tribune., 1908-12-01
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Docks for Biggest Battleships Are
Needed.
From III. Trib-in- B'Iresul ]


DOCKS TIGHT FITS-In making designs for
drydocks for the navy hereafter the experts will
be governed by the constant Increase in tonnage
and dimensions OF battleships. Those in charge
OF this important matter have been impressed with
the necessity of this by their experience with the
drydock under construction the Brook
Iyn navy yard. After that dock designed. but
before the structure well advanced there was
decided change in the design Of battleshipe- The
dock designed would Just take ship OF the
Delaware class with an allowance Of two and one
half feet clearance at each end based est
mated overhang OF twelve feet for the caisson II
was considered that the dock should be designed
TO have clearance Of i've feet at each end OF the
ship. not only for in docking, but 70 allow
for any minor inaccuracies or changes in the
struction of the dock the ship. II has been
decided in the construction Of future docks TO take
advantage Of all possible space and TO design the
docks in such a way that they may be easily
heightened to meet the demands hereafter made on
their facilities BY ships increasing displacement
In the Of the New York dock the site per
ritted a maximum length Sufficient TO take ship
$50 feet all, with hve feet clearance ~
each end. This contemplstes the accommodation
Of vessel some forty-one feet longer than the
Delaware class
OUR ARMY GUN BETTER THAN GERMAN.
The navy ordnan-e bureau has under considera-
ton the award OF contract amounting to than
$4,000 to Dusseldorf, Germany, firm for 80 field
guns of S-inch caIibre for IN connection with
the navy. principally armament for landing
parties. This type of ordnance can be easily
handled in connection with the small boats when
1t is necessary leave the ships and engage in
action shore. The army ordnance officers how
ever claim that they have 4 gun which Is better
adapted for naval purposes in the 3-nch mountain
howitzer, which is a part of the army field
artillery material This gun tried I'm compe
titon with others of similar class at the army
proving ground at Sandy Hook. and the record
made in firing the 15-pound projectle ten
seconds for the 13-pound projectiIe of the German
gun. according to the trial at Indian Head.
GREEN UNIFORMS FOR TROPICs-The army
officers who have to do with military apparel may
take up the question CT changing the color Of the
uniforms which by troops in the summer
and while duty at tropical stations. Samples Of
the cotton material employed in these uniforms
have been received at the War Department and
are being examined. The shades vary from the
present khaki color Of the uniforms to that of the
deepest green If the experts decide that it is
worth taking up the question seriously, they will
have the cloth made into uniforms and the condi-
tiOns observed in practical way IN the field It
is necessary, of course, to take into account the
effect of the new color under different surround
ings with view to rendering the wearer in
conspicuous possible. This is a feature which
has been carefully observed as a means OF adding
to the security Of the soldier against attack The
RifOrn must also be considered in connection with
ne other articles OF the apparel 1t being desired
to have as little contrast as possible betweeH the
uniform proper and such articles leggins gloves
and hats.
ORDERS IssUED.-Ths following orders have
been issued:
ARMY
Captain FREDERIC H P0MRoY. eornmissary. from
New York City TO Manila via The Fitzpatrick Feb
ruary 5, 1909:
First Lieutenant THOMAS 1. COLES coast artillery
from 81 o S6th company December Is
Leave absence: First Lieutenant GOODWIN COMP
TON. 18th Infantry month from December Is.
MOVEMENTS OF WARSRIPs.-The following
movements Of vessels have been reported the
Navy Department;
ARRIVED.
Nov 2s1The Glacier, at Sydney.
Nov 2e-The Charleston Cavite the Tacoma Port
au-Prince.
SAILED.
Nov 2s+The Dolphin from washington for Guantanamo:
MacdonouEh and Wilkes. Norfolk for
Charleston: the Sterling. for Bradford
r 1. the Potomac, from Guantanamo for Santf-
ago Panther and the Culgoa. from CSvtk
Colombo; the Yankton from Cavite for Singapore