New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-01
ARMY AND NAVY NOTES
Dancer an Nezc Battleship Ammun'-
ton HOisfs.
rFrons The Tribune Bureau

Washington, July 81
CRITICISM OF CLOSED HOISTS.-There may
he some sensational developments OF dlsquietlhs
sort az result of an investigation being con-
Quoted by the naval board OF Inspection ana SUI
vev which, as its title implies. has the task OF
examining vessels Of war 10 ascertain their heeoS
to determine their defects and report on the means
and cost Of alterations necessary Lately the at
tentior Of the board has been directed 70 the new
tyne of ammunition hoist installed on some or the
batteships Of the Atlantic feet and adopted ror th7
vessels of that type now under CONSTRUCTION MS
hoist is q departure from what was known as rhe
open ammunition hoist, which one Of the sub
ects OF attack by critics within and without the
naval service. who pronounced the United states
warshps inferior 70 foreign ships. The criticism
in official reports, in magazine articles and IN the
hearings before the Senate Naval Committee in
cIuded attacks the open ammunition hoist and
II was insinuated that the installation OF that type
OF hoist connecting the powder magazines with the
turrets OF battleshIs placed in peril the lives u
those engaged IN handling the shells and powder
and those who operated the guns The charges,
which were freely made. led TO the design OF new
hoist which should be closed in order that par
ticles of burning powder could find their way from
the turret after bareback. for instance. into the
compartment below, from which II was likely to
reach the ma gazne and blow up the ship.
II will surprise none of those who have observed
the tendency TO criticise naval design. equipment
and construction TO know that complaints have now
been made against the closed ammunition hoist,
o
extent this type of hoist is in reality protection
10 the lives of those on board the ship that the
naval board OF inspection and survey is giving
its consideration to the feature. IL is said IN
some quarters that. while the closed ammunition
hoist would exclude ignted particles of powder 10
4 greater degree than the so-called open hoist, IN
the case Of such an accident occurred on the |
Missouri the disaster would not be confined 10 the
death Of those in the handling or turret- One
observer. prominent naval officer or considerable
service on batteships. has gone far TO say 1
that were the Missouri accident to be repeated the
ship would be up with the great loss OF life
which such calamity entails.
The situation is which naval officers generally
do not care to discuss. and the conservative officer
is inclined to withhold his judgment until the board
of inspection and survey makes report
ORDERS IssUED-The following orders have
been issued:
errors Island Tor duty pertaining TO nlsncsuvres
Captain FRED c: DoYIE Paymaster. to Denver report
First lieutenant ROY W. AsBRooK 18th Infantry TO
general hospital Preside OF San Francisco. for
FIRST sHf iIs1sa9nt f2I P5PESf0 B1cHsBA1N
Dena seaa 2ia' % a2P 6% San
SiseS 70 vancouver barracks vice Dental Surgeon
Leaves q absence: Lieutenant Colonel GEORGE F.
ss 2GrN 09s PaRhs aPa
paniss and D. corps engineers az san francisco
NAVY.
Lieutenant F 3 FREYER. detached Concord 20 the
supply
Ensig signs F; R. KING. 5; B. MKINNEY and P H
MCRARf. detached the Supply. the Concord.
Assistant Naval Constructor A j. CHANTRY detached
navy yard Boston. August 8. home. leave until Sep
MOVEMENTS OF WARSHIPS-The following |
movements or vessels have been reported 70 the !
Navy Department:
ARRIVED.
July 5O-The Wilmington. Shanghai. att
Guam the Hartford and the Olympia. Boston; the |
Wh!pple. the Hull. the Truxtun. the Perry. HOP
kirs and the Paul JONES' Sirka: at
lambert Point. the Maryland. san Francisco; the