The New York herald., 1878-12-21
THE RUSSIAN CRUISERS.

THEY LEAVE PHILADELPHIA To-DAY-AvoIDING
CURIOUS PREcUATIoNs-How AMERICAN MEE-
CHANT SHIPS ARE MADE INTO RUSSIAN MEN
oF-wAR.
PHILADELPHIA. Dec. 20, 1873
At about nine o'clock tomorrow morning two Of
the four cruisers built at Crumps ship yard for the
Russian government will leave their moorings and
proceed to sea. Nominally and within the meaning
of the international laws they yet American ships
bearing American names, American registry
owned by AN American citizen and having the right
to carry the American flag One OF these ships
has painted on her stern the name .'State of Cali
fornia. of Philadelphia. and it SOME curious
characters said to be Russian letters. and to repre-
sent the word Europe" The other vessel has also
a double name The one in. English is columbus.
OF Philadephia. and the other another grouping OF
Russian letters, alleged to mean ASIA The Cali
fornia has about three hundred foreign looking men
on board of her and the Columbus about two hun
dred. They will leave here peaceful passengers
and membersAof picnic party to enjoy the Decem-
Der gales OF the Atlantic. The first named ship will
be under ntl,, the command Of Captain shankland.
as master. and the other under the orders
OF Captain Schellinger. of the philadelphia
ware under the American flag. Mr.. Wharton Barker,
the we'll known American banker and agent for the
Russian government as the registered owner of both
ships will go along III charge of the vessels and the
picnickers The five hundred and odd foreign look
ing and peaceful passengers, who go Mr.. Barkers
guests. will remain in that capacity until they
out of American waters and the jurisdiction OF
government. Anywhere outside Of three nautical
miles from shore will probably do.
A CHANGE OF FLAGS.
Then grand transformation scene will take place.
Mr.. Barker. the owner of the ships and con-
. little consultation with Captain Semetdekin,
OF the Imperial Navy OF Russia, who will be among
his guests. few words will be said; the American
fags will be hauled down; the Russian ensign will go
up; the pcnickers will disappear the 500 peaceful
foreign passengers will suddenly become many
Muscovite naval officers and men of warsmen in all
the glory Of uniforms and gold lace; Captains Grip
penburg and Avellan of the Royal Russian Navy will
immediately dispace Captains Shankland and Schel-
linger of Philadelphia. United States Of America and
the State OF California and the Columbus, Of Phila-
delphia American merchant ships will all at
of the Royal Russian Navy two Of the very swiftest
and best cruisers afoat, able to away from any
cumbrous iron clad in the world
THEIR DESTINATION.
The clearance papers of the vessels were taken
out at the Philadelphia Custom House this after
noon. They represent the ships in ballast and
bound for Sitka Alaska. Their papers are regular
and legal, and the vessels nominally American
bottoms bound for American port. The real
destination OF the ships is known to but two
persons in this country, and neither OF them will
rush into print to disclose it, If any newspaper pro-
fesses to announce ut what port these vessels will
next anchor it will be piece OF enterprise that will
be mere guesswork.
The two remaining American" ships (Mr. Wharton
Barker, owner). will leave here in about one
month As have stated one knows where the
California and the Columbus are bound, nor in what
direction, where the transfer will take place but
Mr.. Wharton Barker will not be able return within
six weeks from the point which expects to leave
after he has surrendered his property.