The Indianapolis journal., 1892-01-25
tFron. the Second Edition Of the SundayJournol
UNCLE SANS NAVAL FLEET.

Work on the vesuvius, Biiantonomah, Cush-
ing, Nantucket and Other ships.
NEW YORK. Jan. 23.-The atmosphere in
the navy-yard to-day was almost as hazy
as when the bank of war fog swept over it
ten DAYS ago. Preparations are going
on at the navy-yard here to put the vessels
IN condition to meet an emergency.
The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius is
In the dry dock having her
fighting tower protected with chain
armor. This arrangement will afford an
effective shield to those inside from the
would bound off. although a shot striking
the tower full In the face might pierce the
armor. In this tower are the levers for
discharging the dynamite guns. The
cham which Is being used belongs to the
vessel; IL Is hung around the turret
and will be interlaced. This Is the way the
kearsarge was protected in her fight with
the Alabama in July. 1864. When fitted the
chain will be- taken down to be put up
again III needed. Some time ago the ship
was examined with reference to putting
some. additional plates on the hull TO pro-
tect the vital parts. The report however,
has not been approved as yet. No other
work is being done on the ship. Some
valves for her dynamite guns are being
made. but these could be put in place when
the vessel Is in another part of the world.
But it Is not at all likelyithat the Vesuvius
will be sent to Chill. She is not of con-
to be expected near Cape Horn. nor is it
probable that she could carry coal enough
TO steam the long distance. She would
probably be kept on the home coast for
purposes of defense. and especially, against
the CAPTAIN Pratt. if that vessel should
come here.
The little torpedo-bo Cushing is having
some of her torpedo tubes put In place.
She lies in cove in the Cob dock, and Is
likely to lie there for several weeks. Three
fuhea for lannchlnR rnrpa6AQQ n ha
put on board the vessel. The circles for
them are now being made and fitted, on
which will he placed the mount. and the
launching tube which is 10 60 in the vessels
bow. under water, will be put into place.
The work of fitting the monitor Mianto-
nomah tor sea is being pushed ahead at
present. and it is said that the ship is or
dered TO be ready by Feb. !. The principal
work being done 10 that on the electric
steering gear. Some of the parts of the
machinery for this were ready yesterday.
The decks are being caulked. It is thought
that when the vessel is ready for sea she
may be ordered to sail to Norfolk, and, per-
haps. to 60 further south. even as far as
Brazil.
The single-turreted monitor Nantucket
still lies In the Granite dry-dock where she
Is being made ready for sea. Her bottom
has been cleaned, and is being painted; her
deck Is being repaired. and the parts of the
engines are being connected. The vessel is
not to be put into commission, but is to be
merely made ready for sea. She is not
receiving new guns in place of the old ones
In her turret.
There is now force of about 100 work.
men employed in the navy-ysrd. who are
distributed throughout the different de-
partments- The construction department.
has many, with some at work on the Maine,
Cincinnati, Puritan and Terror vessels In
course of construction. besides the other
vessels being repaired. The steam en-
cheering department., the department. of
yards and docks. and several others, keep
the rest of the men emplOyei
The orders to Rear Admiral Gberardi. the
commandant of the North Atlantic SQUAD
ron, 10 go with the flag ship PHILADELPHIA
and the gun-boat Concord TO Montevideo is
looked upon by the officers as anticipating
the PIesidents message to Congress- and the
probable action upon it. The two vessels
have sailed from Barbados and are now on
their way TO America. The orders to these
vessels may be interpreted as meaning that
they shall continue on TO Chilli. Acting
Rear Admiral Walker has also been or
tered to go from Montevideo to Valpa-
raison s ith the Chicago. Atlanta and Ben
nington. When Admiral Gherardi reaches
Chilli be will be the senior officer present.
hence he Will be in command of all the
forces there. The fleet will then consist of
the Philadelphia. Chicago. Charleston. Bal
timore. San Francisco. Boston, Atlanta,
Yorktown. Concord and Bennin gton. fleet
of total tonnage of 35.O25. and
AuuuhNhS hlAOo ldA 70 Dfc6cn-lOUQl0R
rifles as main battery and 1874 rapid firing
Hotchkiss and Gatling guns as secondary
battery. IL the Newark should be ordered
TO Valparaiso she would add twelve large
breech-loading rifles and seventeen guns
in the secondary battery. and all of these
vessels of the new navy would make o for
midable fleet against the Chihans. The
run from Bar BADGES to Montevideo is about
4.600 miles. and as the Philadelphia will
steam at an economical rate she will prob
ah uo In Annf4vIden yvifh0nr
The Concord will probably stop ut Bahaia,
which is 2. 500 miles from Barbados.