The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-04-11
GREAT STEAMERS FOR CRUISERS.
The Oregon, Eruria and Umbria Prob
nbIv 20 be SO Used


ably 10 be Used.
NEW YORK, April 10 .-Rumors of the purchas-
ing and chartering of transatlantic steamships for
war purposes both by the British and Russian gov
ernments were freely circulated yesterday. Wheth-
er the British government will take possession of
more than the Oregon, Umbria and Etruria of the
Cunard line; the Arizona of the Guion, and the
America of the National Line remains uncertain.
There are many circumstances connected with the
reports relative to the three vessels of the Cunard
Line which go far to confirm the runner that the
British government has purchased them outright.
but II this be the case, the agents here say that
they are ignorant Of it.
1t is now stated that the British government has
also taken the Etruria which finished highly sat
isfactory trial trip around the west coast of Ireland
on March ~ and was getting ready to sail for New
York on April 20. The Cunard schedule OF saili ng
has been again changed and the Gallia will sail in
place of the Etruria, and the Pavonia in place of
the Galla. The lengths Of these three vessels TAX
en- from the Cunard Line. are: Oregon, 500 feet,
and Etruria and Umbria, $40 feet each. Their
age speed is about 1874 knots or II A statute miles
an hour.
In purchasing the Oregon, the Cunard line is said
to have given mortgage for the amount not paid
upon her. The other two vessels were purchased
upon the issue of debenture bonds authorized by
the board of directors last fall This actually left
the builders creditors to the company for the YES
sian government recently approached John Elder &
Co. for the purchase OF these three vessels and the
British government was informed of the negotia-
tons Fearing that, unless forestalled, Russia
would get three of the fastest vessels afoat which
If used for privateering purposes would play sad
havoc with the British mercantile marine, the
British government is said to have at once closed
bargain to secure them upon charter, with the
privilege of purchase. The report yesterday was
that they had been purchased, and would be con
yerted into war vessels at once.
rumor was current in shipping circles that
representatives of the Russian government were in
regotiation with Peter Wright & Sons for the four
vessels of che "American Line" plying between
Philadelphia and Liverpool. These four steamships
the Philadelphia, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois,
and sold last fall to the International Navga-
ton Company, better known as the Red Star Line.
They rank among the finest ships crossing the
ocean, The agents in this city stated that they did
not know of any negotiations for their purchase but
if anybody wanted TO buy them and would pay the
price at which they are valued they might be sold.
The Illinois is the vessel upon which Gen. Grant
went from this country to Liverpool when he start
ed on his tour around the world To convert them
into war vessels would require extensive altera-
tons, but as they possess great speed they would
make line cruisers. They are still running in the
Philadelphia and Liverpool service in connection
with five English vessels.