The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-16
Both Divisions Are Drawing
Near to Their Rem
devious.
COULD REACH PORT
BY NEXT SATURDAY
Two Daps Will Be Devoted to
Maneuvers With Com
bined Fleet.

il is believed at the Navy Depart
ment that the Homecoming fleet and
the third squadron bound out 70 meet
ft win meet today instead Of tomOr-
row. as per schedule. According to.
the dispatches received last night
both divisions were nearing the meet
ing place, the intersection Of the 35th
parallel of latitude and the 55th
meridian OF longitude Unless they
deliberately maneuver they are bound
to come together some time today If
they keep up their cruising speed Of
from ten To twelve knots.
The battIeship fleet itself Is within
an easy four days distance of Hamp-
ton Roads. and could make that port
by Saturday If it desired. Admiral
SpeTry viii use the two extra days,
however, for fleet maueuve.s with the
entire combined feet, so that the new
Iy added squadron, commanded by Ad-
mlraI Arnold. can maintain itself in
feet manauvers with the Other yes
sells that have had more than a years
practice.
Weather Fine.
The fleet. according to department
reports, has had exceptionally good
February g, and has been steaming
slowly, consuming time in battle drill
and general fleet exercises
When the sixteen world-circling bat
tleships arrive at their home" navy
yards t0- repairs and Overhauling
many important changes viii be
made in them. Their construction
Will not be radically altered, but.
the cruise will have its effect upon bat
IlesHip construction in the navy Of the
United States in the future
Not one of the sixteen ships, accord
ing 90 the reports To the naval officials,
has developed a defect. serious or other
wise. But iu practically every one of
them the possibility Of some decided i'm
provemeut has been brought out.
Changes Decided On.
Probably the most important change
iH construction already decided upon is
the transfer of the steering station TO
a position below decks. u has been
found that the present station, located
amid a perfect network Of electric wiz
ing, all carrying varying currents, up
set the compass. and makes 10 uusatis-
factory in AN respects.
When the change IS made, the regular
battle steering station Will probably be
line. This new position. I'm addition 10
IFS other advantages. i'm much better
protected from the possible effects OF
6uHNFe In Haliie-
Another change in construction, which
IS regarded as necessary, provides for
the proper cooling OF magazines. So
needed results. Deep study has been
given this question by naval c0nstruc-
tors ana several tentative propositions
have been advanced.
Electrical Gear.
Most of these propositions provide for
an electrical gear. which would do
away with the steam pipes connected
with the present gear II Is believed
that this would correct the magazine
trouble, but IT is hard TO reconcile
electric gear and the usual problems
Of weights.
Other changes. besides the general
ovgrhaullnE, viii be mat1 10 the fire
control system. and I'm Jaa turret ar
rangement. following the recommenda.-
tions Of the so-caIied turret board. in
the removal from turrets O. all fix
lures in the electrical mechanism which
hv any possibility contribute to the
danger of fire. Certain cha lges will be
made iu the ordnance Cutit, such Is
putting larger CaliHer guns in the sec
ondarv batteries, and ash electors or
eXpeIleTs viii be installed. This mech
au.su viii force the ashes from the
engine and fire TgGmr az any time the
vessel is under steam.
May Be Removed.
The department has under cousldera-
ton the recommendations Of several
captains ON board vessels Of the fleet,
that the davitsi which interfere with
the training of the turreta in prac, 'ce
he removed They propose TO stow the