Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-24
yESUvIUS'S VALUE.
OPINIONS DIFFER AS TO HER Sue
cess FOR COAST DEFENCE.
six Months Training Of Men and Oficers
Nceded--An Experiment with shad--
Trial OF Lieutenant II. M. Roach.

lCorreBp1ndence OF tho Richmond Dspatch.1
OH Pomr CoMFoRr. Va. May 23.-There
has been good deal Of interest manifest
ed in the trial of the vesuviuss guns in army
circles, aud opinions are somewhat di-
vided as TO her value as part OF our sea-
coast defence. There was one fact. how
ever, clearly demonstrated--viz.. that IL
would require special course of training
similar to that adapted to torpedo service
to ct the crew and officers of the vessel
for their work. IL is novel experience
to have guns built into q vessel as these are,
and as they had never been fired before and
tho officers had no experience whatever in
handling them. the only wonder Is that
the practice was no worse.
PAIR TRIAL
The difficulty can no doubt be over
come, and il would be unjust both to
those who designed the vessel and the off,
GERS who man her TO condemn her on such
q hasty trial as she has had. II six months
course of training, as is required for tor
pedo service, should make the officers
famil' ar with all the details. and If then
satisfactory results cannot be obtained, the
guns can be removed, and with slight
alterations the vessel can be turned into
hrst-ciass torpedo-boat, second only in
speed to the Cushing.
sHAD FOR SALT LAKE.
An interesting experiment is now being
made by the United States Fish Commits
sioner in connection with the attempts TO
stock the less saline portion of the waters
Of Great Salt Lake with shad. II is pro-
bable that no species OF fish could ever
become adapted to life in Salt Lake pro-
per, as its waters are almost double the
density of the strongest sea waters. In
the Jordan river and other tributaries of
the lake, however, and perhaps also where
the fresh waters of the rivers and from
rainfall are mingled with the waters of the
lake, there are probably great areas well
adapted to many species of fish In 1888
several millions of young shad were de-
posted in the Jordan river, and they are
apparently thriving. as numbers of them
have been caught from time to time. They
are now mature and should spawn this
year.
TIE FOOD SUPPLY.
The question Of food supply for the fry
is one OF the greatest Importance as affect
ing their growth and increase. Doubts
having arisen as to whether the waters in
question will afford the minute vegetable
and animal organisms which are the food
of the shad in both the salt and fresh
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans
and their tributaries. the Commissioner
has decided to transport thereto from the
Atlantic coast all such forms of life. A
shipment of shad-trv IS now on ITS way to
Salt Lake, which will shortly be followed
by a collection of marine algue, spores of
marine plants, and numerous animal forms,
such as prawns, cspepods, DC. Mr.. Will
liam y. Seal, of the commission. is now
here making this collection, for which pur-
pose he uses q surface towing-net made of
very fine bathing-cloth. If this expert
ment is successful and our Mormon friends
come anyways near reproducing the
speckled beauties of the Chesapeake, it
WIN be a revelation that will surpass any of
the late Brigham Young's efforts.
GENERAL coURT-MARTIAL.
The general court-martlal convened here
last week for the trial of Lieutenant III. NJ.
Roach, First infantry, completed its labors
and adjourned on Monday. The pro-
ceedings have been forwarded to Wash
ington for the Presidents action.
Congressman w. G. p. Breckenridge, of
Kentucky, and Mrs. Breckenridge arrived
here from Washington last week and after
few days rest left for the Bluegrass
State.
General Samuel Breck, assistant adju-
| tant-general, and wife arrived here yester-
| day from Washington on a short visit.
General l.. II. Graham, retired, and wife
arrived at the Hygeia Monday from Wash
| ington.
Colonel Charles Bird, quartermaster, and
| Mrs. Bird returned this evening from a
pleasant visit of three days TO Richmond.
| Colonel Bird was wounded at Seven Pines
and was anxious TO 60 over the old grounds.
CAPTAIN CozIARo NOW.
Lieutenant Louis G. CoZiarc. Second
artillery, who has been the efficient and
| obligiug post adjutant for the past four
.Ns.1t fa fafY
| day by the retirement of General Gibson.
| Captain Cozlarc is one Of the best adlu-
| tants the school has ever had, and while
| his friends rejoice in his promotion they
regret exceedingly to sever the pleasant
relations which have existed so long. His
promotion carries him to Battery q, now
| located at Newport. X. l., for which he
leaves early next week.
SOCIAL NOTES AND MOVEMENTS.
Mrs. Bodell has gone to Washington on
| a visit TO her brother, Mr.. William 5. Yeat-
man, disbursing clerk of the War Depart
Mr. N. Pike, the genial manager of
| the Hygeia, is in the Green mountains Oh
| Vermont on visit TO his old home.
Mrs. Captain Story and daughter, who
| have been spending a month in Washing
| ton with friends, returned to the post
| Sunday morning. Captain Story's mother
accompanied them.
Mrs. Lieutenant Danes, Miss Fannie
Davis, and Miss Carrie Vose returned
home on Saturday from weeks visit to
| Mrs. Captain Brown, at Jamestown Island.
Mr.. Harry b. Bird, Of Washington, Is the
guest of bis cousin. MIR. L. Bowman Bro,
of the garrison.
The German schoolship Nike came down
from Norfolk yesterday and will remain IN
| the Roads two or three weeks for target
The trainingshIp jamestown sailed for
New York Yesterday. She will be followed
by the Portsmouth on Monday
KNIGHTS TRMPLAR OFFICERS
Hampton Commandery, No. II, Knights
Templar. held their annual election OF OH
GERS on Thursday evening with the follow
| ing result: o. 4. Woodfn, eminent COM
mander; w. ]. Bodell, generalissimo 4;
Charles Candy. captain-general; Rev. j. D..
| Gravatt. prelete; q. w. Belts, senior war
| den. Joseph Kohn, junior warden; John w.
| Royenton, treasurer; j. Robert Con, re-
corder; C. w. Merrill, standard bearer; &.
r. Holtzclaw, sword-bearer; q. ". Tucker.
warden. and James ID. Whine, captain or
the guard. Four applications for Knight
| hood were filed, and the commandery looks
| forward to prosperous year under the
| able direction of Governor Woodtn.
The Secretary of War hasauthorized the
| construction Of two double set OF officers
quarters, which will be commenced about
| June lst.
Major William II. Yerby, chief clerk OF
the Hyeeia, and wife are enjoying q short
vacation visiting friends in Baltimore.
RICHMOND VISITORS.
The following Richmonders have regis
tered at the Hygeia Hotel during the week ;
Judge L. L. Lewis, Judge w. X. Staples
Mr.. John A. Coke, William III. Campbell,
L. r. Warren, Edward II. Bissell, Miss
Winston Mr.. and Mrs. A. =. Dlcklns1 on
Rock. Miss Brock, DR.. l.. NJ. Cowardin Is.
r. Jallison. III. Canston and wife, Charles
d. Williams, II. b. Owen, L. o. Barbour
| A. Leslie Blair.