Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-09-15
FoRRIoA aAvIHs.


LONDON, Sept. 1.-THE British cruisers
Forth and Themes, which have just been
paid OF at Devonport, are to be supplied
| vi three pounter quick-fring guns. in
leu Of their one-inch Nordenfrld,s. This
alteration will necs ssila some stru otufai
sltefations, and the W ssels will probably
be placed IN the second class reserve until
the alterations are completed. The one
inch Nordenield,ss 10 now entirely cut Of
date in the British navy, and there have
been 80 many aec,dsn with this type of
m schins gun, due to hang-fres in the
cartridges, that the admiralty has directed
that the II naming guns are not to be re-
paired il rendered unservicesble, while no
more ammunition for tht m is 10 be manu-
fActund.
The permanent complement Of the Brit
ish roy 81 naval barracks at Sheernets, which
is TO be converted into = guDnery school, ls
TO consist Of l74 lfiieers aud men, being q
reduction of l0in the complement xllosed
during the period the establishment WAS =
depot for supernumeraries. The services
Of commander two lieutenants, a surgeon
and six petty officers and men are to be
dispensed with. Gunnery classes are TO be
formed shortly at ,he establish neht for the
instruction of sesmsn Of the Pembroke.
who have hitherto had to be sent 10 Ports
mouth or Plymouth for their training.
Flag Captain Leicester c Keppel is TO have
ch ,rge Of the propose gunnefy school.
Tuesday week the offiGi6l ,fisl took place
on the Thames Of 4 first class torpedo boat
for the Victorian government, built by
Messrs. Ysrrow & Co. The dimensions Of
the vessels are as follows; Length, 100
feet; beam, l3 feet inches, with dis
placement Tn trial Of about 50 tons. She
is fitted with triple expansion engines Of
about 100 horse power, and, in fact, is
almost exactly identical With the last six
first class boats nstructed for the British
admiralty. This speed obtained during
three hours run wss 2.d knots in very
boisterous weather, with load on oArd
re pre-, enting the whole armament and
equipment required for service in ac,u.l
var. Gen. Stewart was present Cd behalf
Of the Victorian government, Circles were
turned in 75 Sec nds.
Uader the regulations of the new mobili-
zuion scheme for the British navy retired
off ers who have been selected for further
St rsice are 10 be Ieisined on the list uDnl
they arrive 1T the age Of 60 years, and are
required to send letter annually on jan. l
that they are fit and willing to serve. This
is 10 be forwarded TO the commanding
c Ger Of the ship tn which they are mob
iuz ed, and change of address Is also To be
communicated at once to the same officer.
II called upon to serve by letter from the
c Jmmanding officer, or by an order issued
by ,ha admirably, ard published in the
papers. they are to proceed forthwith and
re port themst Ives to the conn anding officer
OF lhe thip in bich they have been selected
for service.
The vlsitors Of the British Royal Navy
Exhibition have nov ,eeded a million
and q half, amounting up to the end Of lsst
week ir exact figures to l,505,095 The
blut .t ke,s Of the Cambridge, who have
been given dsily representations Of cu1ass
and field gun drl for the past six weeks,
went through ihfir last performance on
Saturday ailerroon The Dlut jackets have
been succeeded by the Ma i,s Cyclist
Corps. Thirty five marines are In the
corps.
The second class British cruiser Shah
has been placed upon the list of vessels for
hxrbor service. The admiralty has directed d
her machinery to be moved aud the vessel
to be prepare d for service as hulk at Ber-
muda. The Shah has been unemploy ed at
AVi haiy f"S
haviog cancelled an order previously given
for her repair.
According to the Befliaer Tsgliche Rund
schxu the 3Austro Hungarian Minister of
Marine has ordered = nes fast torpedo
cruiser to be built at the Scbichau Works
at Elbing. This new cruiser vi ieh is to be
of 1000 horse power and to be capable Ct
.teaming 81 knots, is to be ready for deliv-
cry in the Autumn Of next year
An explosion Of gun cotton hss occurred
on board the torpedo vessel Otssr, at Kiei,
whereby an artifcer was killed and Capt
Seye and Commander Stem were severely
wounded The cause Of the explosion is
unknown.
The second-tlass British cruiser Sirius,
built by Armstrong & Co, leaves the Tyne
this we'll to be f,te d for active service.
1t is said that KING Humbert, With sn
Italian squadron, will visit English waers
in the spring
Prince George Of Wa'es, who has just
been promoted to be commander, is now in
Copper hagen.