New-York tribune., 1910-02-04
In ARMY AND NAVY
The Big Drydock De7Cey q
Success.
tFTom The Tribune Bureau-I
va SI1fr, eToy1 T|obrf1a 7


EIGHT CRUISERS DOCKED. - The
naval authorities are much gratifed over
the report from the commander in chief
of the Pacific fleet. describing the docking
of eight armored cruisers which are
part of the naval force in Asiatic waters
This work was performed at the naval
station at Olongapo, P. l.. using the
floating drydock Dewey Each of the
eight big vessels was docked and cleaned.
and received three coats of paint The
hull of each ship represented an acre in
area, so that paint was applied to the
equivalent of twenty-four acres The dock
ing began early on the morning OF Novem-
Der IS. and was completed by the close of
the day on December 3 II required six
days TO do the work, and it was found that
by performing the labor in overtime 1t
would have been possible to have accom-
plished the job in three days.
This Is the first opportunity the naval
authorities have had of testing the value
of the big floating dock equipment
likely to promote fleet efficiency in time
of war. 1t furnishes the strategists with
information. of a positive sort, which can
be used in determining the means of pre-
serving the readiness of ships for battle
The incident has also served to renew in
IcIOSt III IIe HOdIlIlS uOthS CD a ACGSuAO
in maintaining preparedness for battle.
Some naval officers have been urging the
department to recommend another float
ing drydock In place of the new stationary
dock which was recommended yesterday
by Secretary Never for installation at the
Norfolk navy yard. 1t has been pointed
out that a floating drydock can be taken
to any point convenient to a fleet in action,
or ships on blockade or scouting duty.
thereby saving much travel at a time
when every hour counts
Mr. Meyer in his testimony before the
House Naval Committee yesterday, When
the session was devoted to enlarged docks
and new drydock construction. made spe-
cial reference to the value OF the com
paratfvely small floating drydock at the
naval station at Algiers. near New Or
leans The present policy of keeping down
the appropriations for new construction
in the military establishment makes IL i'm
possible for the Navy Department TO com
mend at this session an allotment for ad-
ditional floating drydocks, although the
subject has received the Endorsement Of
the General Board.
ORDERS ISSUED.-The following orders
have been issued:
ARMY.
Captain MARION NJ. WEEKS. 9th Infantry.
found incapacitated. IS retired.
First Lieutenant JULIAN L DODGE, 18TH IN
fantry duty in army transport service,
San Francisco, 4uartermaster OF trans
port Crook. Upon arrival OF transport al
Manila Lieutenant Dodge will join his regl-
ment
First Lieutenant JOHN P. KELLY. medical re-
serve corps. to Fort Ruger. Hawaii Terr1tory. @
FIrst Lieutenant BENJAMIN D. FOCLOlS, sig
nal CORPS from Office chief signal offlcer 10
San Antonio for duty pertaining to aero
nautical work OF signal corps.
First Lieutenant KELTON L. PEPPER, 80
Infantry from General Hospital. PresldIo OF
San Francisco, to Walter Reed Generai HOS
pitaI, District OF Columbia
First Lieutenants JAMES c. HALEY and JAMES
K AsHBURN. medical reserve corps. from
Army Medical School TO their respective
homes.
Leaves of absence: Captain AMOS H MARTIN,
14th Infantry, two months; First Lieutenant
CLIFFORD U. LEONORI. 18th Infantry. one
month
captain L. YOUNG to duty as coTnnandant'
navy yard. Pensacola
captains G. w MELROY and r. s. GRIFFIN.
Commanders C. F. HUGHES and $ 3 RO6-
d GREETHAM and 4. c. kali and Ensign
G. L. SCHUYLER. commissioned iii.
Medical Inspector c. T. H1BBETT. 10 recruiting
station, Baltimore -
surgeon E 0. HUNTINGTON (retired), de-
tached the Lancaster: home ..,.,.
Surgeon G.. L. ANGENY. detacned recruiting
Station, Baltimore: to the Lancaster
As=istant Pavrnasters D. W. ROSE. P A
CLARKE and I. D. COYLE, appointed