The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-11-01
VESSELS FITTING FOR CHILE.
The Warspite Sails Nov. 11-Large Fleets
at Brooklyn and Mare Island.


at Brooklyn and Mare Island.
VICTORIA, Oct. 5L-Lspecial.l III NJ fAgship
Warspite sails for Chilean waters on November
IL.
SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 3l-The wooden feet
now at Mare island navy yard consists OF six
vessels: The Mohcan, Thetls, Ranger, Adams
Omaha and Swatara. Repairs are now in
progress on the first Jour- and they could go TO
sea in a very snort time. The Omaha anu
Swatara are out of commission and would take
longer TO prepare. The single-turreted monitor
Comanche, with two smooth bore guns, now at
the island, could 20 10 sea in few days. The
double-turreted Monadnock, a companion ship
OF the Miantonoman, has no armor
yet, and cannot be completed
under six months. The coast de-
fense vessel Monterey, now under construc-
tion at the Union Iron WORKS, has no armor as
yet, but could go into action without 1t if neces-
sary Irving Scott, one OF the proprietors of the
works, says she could be ready for sea
within SIX weeks. Her guns are
now at the Washington City navy yard,
completed, or nearly so and could be shipp ed
and put aboard by the expiration of that time.
The Monterey will be very powerful vessel
even without armor, as she will have primary
battery OF TWO twelve and two ten-inch guns.
Naval officers at Mare island consider the
United States in good trim for brush with
Chile, if necessary. Admiral irwin command
ant of the navy yard expressed the opinion
that the United States has vessels enough
to handle Chile, and believes that
Valparaiso, the key of Chilean strength, could
be easily taken. He would also take IquiQue
and not be satisfied with simply blockading it.
The nitrate deposits would remunerate the
United States for the cost of war.
NEW YORK, Oct. 31.-The Chilean trouble
shows its effect at the Brooklyn navy yard in
the renewed activity being dis splayed in fitting
nUf 81 No M Iynf nj
men engaged upon the monitor Miantonomah
has been increased, and from a conversation
with her officers it is learned she could be
got ready for sea within ten days II oc-
casion should require it, She is elassed by
all the officers as the most formidable ship in
the navy, and ii necessary she could be in
Chilean waters wi hin two months. Rumors
got abroad yesterday that an order had been
sent from Secretary Tracy to the Brooklyn navy
yard to have three ships sail as soon as possible
for Chile, but Captain Efbeu, commander OF
the navy yard, denies that he had received
such orders. 1t is learned that three
ships-the Philadelphia, Concord and Kearsarge
-are being prepared 10 leave on Tuesday Tor the
West Indies. ship going from New York to
Chile generally makes her first stop at st.
Thomas, so it is possible that there may be
some connection between the rumored orders
from Washington City and the departure OF
these three ships
The Herald says: 1t Is now known that the
Newark is booked for Chilean waters. Orders
have been sent to Boston to have her fitted out
with years supply of provisions and to COM
plete her crew with two-year service men. OH
GERS have also been sent on from Washington
City to expedite the work on her
electric light plant and especially her
search lights, which are the chief
cause OF delay. When the Newark sent to
the Boston navy yard it was estimated that
Siy aES ha ~, ,-pi n Z her
Tor service as the flagship of the south Atlantic
station, for which duty she was then intended,
but late developments have caused the depart
ment to postpone some changes contem plated
so that she might be made ready at
an early date for service in Chilean
waters. With these omissions and the extra
force of men who have been put to work on her
1t is now believed she can be got under way
inside OF ten days. She Will steam direct TO
Chile. Admiral BenhaIn, who was TO go out
in her to command the South Atlantic
station. win, it is thought, be given
another vessel, as his flagship will not get away
for several weeks yet There have also been
developments which indicate that the Phi.adei
phia will get under way for Chile at ABOUT the
same time, or perhaps a few days earlier than
the Newark. and the Atlanta Will follow as
soon as she is ready. This trio
of vessels, with the Boston and Yorktown, now
en- route, and the Baltimore and san Francisco,
already in the Pacific, would form fleet OF
seven OF the best vessels now available, and
would make quite a respectable show
ing for whatever ordinary purpose might
be int nded. One object in the selection
OF the Philcdelp phia for service il Chile, ii IS
understood. is to place Admiral Gherardi in
command of the forces in these waters. He is
known TO be anxious for duty, and II is said
both President Harrison and Secretary Blaine
look favorably u on his detail Tor this service.