Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 August 1887 — THE NEW CRUISERS. [ARTICLE]

THE NEW CRUISERS.

The Atlanta, Boston and Chicago Pronounced Worthless for War Purposes. —Summary of the Defects—A Lost Sheep or. Two. The board appointed by Secretary Whitney, on Friday last, to inspect the Atlanta and take command of her until his orders have been fully carried out, met on board the vessel Monday. The board was busy that day and the next examining the armament of the Atlanta. The result will be communicated to Secretary Whitney in a few days, when the board completes its labor, not as it was outlined in the order of Secretary Whitney naming the members of the board and the duties they were expected to perform, but the result of the inspection Of the ship and her armament as presented to the board during the short time it has walked the deck of the Atlanta. The results of the labor of the board, summarized, are as follows: “The ship is at present practically useless. Her structure appears to be strong and free from weakness, but her armament is hors du combat. The injury to the eight-inch gun carriages is such that they can not again be used until completely repaired. The damage to the clip-circle and clips in such that if repaired the board would not be warranted in firing the guns, a repetition of the injury to them being inevitable. The board does not think that this portion of the fittings of the vessel was eve r in tended to retard the recoil of guns, and the damage done is in excess of what is reasonable. The deck of the vessel is found to be intact. The uncertain behavior of the eight-inch guns makes it inexpedient to again subject the vessel to firing tests. It is manifest from the location of the six--inch guns that if the eight-inch guns were in perfect order the six-inch guns would be idle, as it would be impossible to work both guns at the same time. The smaller secondary battery is also useless while either the eight or sixinch guns are firing. The result is that the Atlanta, lor a vessel of war as the I armament is now arranged, is absolutely worthless. The discharge of heavypower guns-is likely to be "followed by injury to the vessel. The three bat-

teries, which ought to be so arranged as to be fired, if necess&ry.simultaneously, are inoperative for a single fire.” The board will further report that until the repairs are made which the present condition of the boat really demands, it is out of the question to think of making any thorough teats of any part of her battery. What is true ol the Atlanta is also true of the Boston, and probably of the Chicago. ' . Captain Bunce, commanding the Atlanta, prudently tested the effect of the discharge of the eight-inch guns before exposing the men. The first sheep put next the gun was blown—nobody knows where. The second sheep was tied around the body with a small rope, and slack enough given to allow freedom of movement. The animal was tossed high into the air and drawn back by the rope a dead creature. Other objects were placed near the six-inch guns and in every instance the warning was to keep away from the guns when discharged. The board will probably finish its labors and adjourn this week, jt be ing out of the range of probability that the tests laid down by Secretary Whitney will ever be executed.