The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-12-21
WAR SHIPS ON THE LAKES
Official Report That Shows Canada Has
Built Three Formidable Boats.
Though Called Revenue Cutters They Will
Have the Armaments of War Vessels and
Would Be "Terrors" in Case of Trouble.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-The construction
of revenue cutters on the great lakes by
the Canadian authorities has received re-
newed consideration by the officials of the
Treasury Department within the past few
days, since the receipt of n report made by
one of the lieutenants in the service 10
Chaplain Shepard of the revenue marine
service. In this report the lieutenant
writes ut considerable length of the new
vessels which have been built by Canada
within the past year or so. and which are
now about ready for service. There are
three of them-the Constance, the Curlew
and the Petrol. The first two were
built at Owen sound and the Petrol
has just been launched at Hamilton. De-
signs of the ships have been secured and
accompany the report. They show that in
all essential features the boats are wi
vessels. They have steam-protected decks.
ram, bores are fitted for the reception of
torpedo Tubes. have fittings for the mount
Ing of four one-inch HOtchkissr apid-tring
guns. and carry three guns. one an ELLEN
Dor, and one at the stern. of the Maxim
N~Ordenfeldt type-very effective weapons.
The designs for the boats were furnished
from the British Admiralty; the construc-
ton was superintended by officers from
the Admiralty. and the officers of the ves-
sells, II is understood. will come from the
British navy. The Constance is already in
commission. and the Curlew nearly ready
for service.
The building of these vessels affected the
s~hip-yards of the American side OF the
lakes. Mechanics employed in them were
induced TO go to Canada and work on them,
the foreman of the Wheeler establishments
at Bay City being one of them. Now that
the work is finished. these men are seeking
accomplishment at their old place. The re-
port states that English and Canadian
officers and citizens explained that these
vessels were built with @ view TO protect
ing the Welland canal from destruction in
case of attack. And in this connec-
tion the statement was made that
there are fifty vessels In the British
navy that can be introduced into the great
lakes via the St Lawrence and canal
route. The contracts have been let for en-
Montreal, which Is the s~hallowest and con.
tanning the smallest locks. so that when
completed. vessels 230 feet long and draw
ing twelve to fourteen feet can be trans
ported through the canals with practically
DO loss of time. The Constance. the Curlew
and the Petrol can 90 through the Welland
canal at about full speed, 14l2 knots an
hour.
The report does not excite any apprehen-
sion OF alarm at the Treasury Department.
hS8lbtauB CcCIot6TJ CU6UiuluQ say nc Aao
no fear that England will at any time en-
deavor to rush q fleet of fifty vessels
through the ST. Lawrence to the lakes. nor
that the British vessels now on the lakes
VIII ever seriously menace eltEer the COM
merce of the inland seas or the great cities
that lie on the borders thereof. Owing TO
the absence from the city of Captain Shep-
ard the report has not yet been officially
communicated TO the officials of the treas
ury, and hence its contents have not been
transmitted to the Department OF State.
Secretary John W. Foster stated to-day
that no information of the building of ves-
sells on the lakes by Canada had been re-
ceived by his department. since the date of
his recent report to the President. upon the
treaty of 1912. regulating the force of armed
vessels to be maintained on the lokes,
which was transmitted to Congress week
before last.
lis il the policy of the United States to
meet any increas of force on the lakes by
Canada by n similar increase OF our arma-
ments" was asked.
Speaking only for the State Depart
mont" was the reply. II should say the
cutters on the lakes unless it needs them.
That is O question for the Treasury De-
partment to determine. When additional
ships are necessary in the current business
of the country they will be constructed,
and not before. The treaty of 1917. as con-
strued by beth the United States and Grear
Britain, places no restriction on the force
of revenue vessels that may be maintained
on the lakes by either party. But the doc
ument should be amended IN some inn
portant particulars to make il conform to
Is ont of date, and some of its requirements
ara rUunral nv mnfual cnnsanYD