Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-05-22
Thief GETS FLAN
OF new WARSRIP

WASHINGTON, -. c. Special
with suspicion pointing 10 some sort /
OF a SPY a daring theft OF incomplete /
and consequently comparatively I'M /
important drawings showing the cleo I
trical installation on the new battle
ship FennsSlNanla Was ammo uncec
yesterday by Secretary OF the Navy
Daniels. The nrst drawing was taken
between a. clOCk IN the evening on
the night OF March fth and the fol-
lowing morning. IL was linen draw
ing giving uncompleted arrangements
showing the electrical Work on the
new battleshlp. and was removed
from the board OF one Of the
/ draughtsmen la the bureau OF steam
| engineering. This disappearance was
I accounted for by the presence OF "A
large number OF persons IN the de-
/ partmcnt that night 20 witness the
! display OF fireworks Incident 10 the
/ inaugural ceremonies. few days
later similar drawings showing the
decks and hatch arrangement to-
gether with the proposed wiring OF
the new dreadnaught, disappeared
from the same room.
Many Sicuths Seek CieVgs-
After the second theft the depart
ments secret service men We're as
signed 20 locate the person guilty for
the theft They reported that they
We're unable 20 obtain "a cleW-
Special agents OF the Department
TOT Justice. officers OF a natonal ~
known detective agency. and tins
local police were then called IN &c
Investigate. The navy officials are
/, ! alarmed at the occurrence. because j
n discloses the possibility or the thef
4 OF important secret plans. Conse
Quenty extra precautions nave oeei
taken 20 guard against the entry lnt'
the draughung rooms OF anyone Wn'
. does not belong there. and a system
e OF checking and accounting thereatte
Will be riEloly enforced
Mr.. Daniels gave out this StateEneA
on the subject
? Matter StIn Under Investigation.
ION the night OF March 4th, Whe
there was a large number OF person
- in the State. War and Navy building
assembled 10 witness the inaugurs
~ fireworks. there were taken, by per
= sons as yet unknown, from the oFaI'
= ing room OF the bureau OF steam eng
neering uncompleted plans or "
. / electric wiring OF the new battlesh'
- Pennsylvania. These plans shoWe
:, the general arrangement OF the oeci
- and matches. but would be OF no pa
=, ticular value 20 any one wishing
=. obtain naval Information not gene
e. ally made public. A short time ART
- similar plans were missed from q
~ same drafting room. The matter
:, still under investigation
News OF the disappearance OF q
:. drawings was suppressed 20 perm
- the secret service agents 5eihASN
- the case 20 accomplish their wo
~, without any publicity. II was saio
" Mr. Daniels last night that no one
under suspicion. and that no one
20 far been disciplined FOR the loss.
Not Of Very Great Value.
While the drawings relate 10
electric installation OF the new bait
, ~ ship. Il was explained that they W.
= incomplete. and were Of such nntt
III as could be reproduced BY any ell
trlcal engineer familiar with
method OF wiring naval vessels.
highly confidential Information, 81
- as fro control mechanism or tur
ois electrical work. had been divulg
m The information IN the stolen ORA
BOT INKS. u was said. would not be OF gr
20 value 10 any foreign government.
ek. they contained no military secrets