The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-10
ABOUT TIE SHIPS.
Comparisons Between the olga md
the Nipsic-NavaI Talk.

WASHINGTON, March 0.-Therc is still
dearth Of news from Samoa in the State
and Navy Departments.
In the State Department the fact that
they have not been officially adyisedoi the
blowing up Of the Nipsc, is regarded as
sufficient evidence that no such thing has
happened. They have not telegraphed
the acting consul for the reason that il is
not supposed that he has neglected his
duty and failed 10 inform his Government
Of an event Of such Importance. In an
swer to the suggestion that the Germans
would control every avenue by which the
news could reach the United States, II is
said that they could not prevent the infor-
nation from reaching England through
some OF the English vessels at Samoa, even
supposing that the. reported engagement
had been followed up by a declaration OF
war which might have resulted In cutting
of Consul Blackjack from the cable mt
Auckland. Naval officers here, without
exception, also discredit the story, although
they admit that the Nipsic would have
been overmatched by the Olga in a
sea fight. They are rather IN
clined TO accept the view taken by
certain OF the English papers that the
publication In the German newspapers was
thrown out as fccler 20 learn how an at
tempt 10 chastisc the Mataaia forces for
the killing OF the the German scamen
would be received In Germany aud Amer
lea.
The Nipsic has been at A pia four months
relieving the Adams. She was put in
commission October TO- 1857, at New
York. and sailed from that port
for the Pacific January Is, 1883,
arriving ut Apia on November Z. In
the naval register the Nipsic Is described
as n second rate vessel Of the cruiser type,
having a wooden hull, bark riggcd. She
carries six guns, mostly smooth bore, In
her main battery, and has n displacement
OF 1875 tons
The Trenton and Vandalia, which. Il Is
believed, have already reached Apia,
though second rate ships. ars larger than
the Nipsic. The Trenton Is a ship-riggcd
wooden cruiser Of ten guns OF 5000 tons
displacement.
The Yandaim Is also bark-rigged
wooden cruiser OF ?, 100 tons, with main
battery Of eight guns, mostly smooth bore.
As far ~ known the Olga Is the most
formidable Of the German vessels at Apia.
She is AN unarmorcd aud unprotected
single decker cruiser OF 200 displace-
mcnt, and was built In 1880. Her princi-
pal battery consists Of eight slx-nch krupp
rifles aud q number OF llotchkiss revolving
cannon. IL Is thought ut the Navy De-
partmeni that she carries about a half
dozen Schwartzkof torpcdocs, which are
similar 10 the Whitehead torpcdocs in that
they are projected from tubes beneath the
water line.
Tie speed Of the Olga Il somewhat supe-
rior 10 that Of the Nandalia, her maxi.
mum trial speed having been II. The
Germans also have in Samoan waters
the Adler and the Ebcr which arc not as
strong or as large as tho Olga-tho Adler
carrying four and the Ebcr three Krupp
rifles. The great strength OF the German
fleet lies In It's possession OF torpcdocs. In
tho United States navy there Is not tor
podo except few OF the variety known as
spar torpedoes," which are regarded By
naval experts ~ practically useless.
The German navy consists Of about
sevonty.iiyo vessels, while twenty-five
moro arc In course Of construction. These
are all vessels Of the most formidable type.
heavily armored. many OF them armed
plate, and carrying superior torpedo out
fits. About twenty-five ancient vessels
and few modern cruisers not ready for
service represent tho American naval
strength. They are generally armed with
smooth bores, are slow, and widely dis
tributod over the surface OF tho globe.
Tho monitors are incomplete. In the
event OF war they must form our chief
reliance, but Il would take many months
TO put on their turots and mako their