Need To Be Docked

Washington, March 31.- Some of our larger and more formidable battleships are sadly ir. need of being docked. Such at least is Ihe murmur of complaint that is heard about the navy departmení, although it is not regarded as a gerious condition by anybody in official life, outsidc of the navy officers who are technical in their demands. But it is insisted by the latter that the speed of several of the battle ships has been lefsened by the seagrowth on their submerged sections. The Massachusetts hes a recognized speed of Blxteen knots and could when in good condition, and under forced circumstances make eighteen knots. Now she is capable of only eleven knots. The effect of this on a squadron saillng in haste to make a point where an emergen cy existed might prove serious. The Iowa, which will soon pass to the comniand of "Fighting Bob" Evans, is another battle ship that is said to l)e hampered by growths. Some of the officers assert she could not of the offleers assert she could not make more tlian fourteen knots. The Texas, now in a dry dock at New York has suftered some damage from contact with rocks in the vicinity of the Dry Tortugas. The cruisers were nearly all docked fcetore going south and aro in fairly good condition.