St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-12-24
REALLY WAR SHIPS.
Text OF the Report TO the Treas
ury on the New Canadian
Revenue Vessels.
One of the Vessels More Than
Match for the Three United
States Vessels Combined.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.--The full text
of the reports Oh the Canadian lake
question, which were briefly summar-
lied in these dispatches two days ago.
is now accessible. The question Of
maintaining war ships on the great
lakes in contravention OF treaty stIp-
ulation has engaged the atten-
ton of this administration since 1891,
In that year Lieut.. g. l.. Garden, of the
United States revenue marine service,
was directed to investigate the subject.
He made quite visit to Canada, and.
under date of January, 1892, submitted
report to Secretary Foster, of the
treasury department, giving the dimen-
Sions of the so-styled new Canadian
cruiser Constance" which was reve-
nue. cutter in name, but in reality war
ship. This report was transmitted to
Secretary Tracy, who, commenting on
it in letter to the seer etary of the
treasury under date OF Jan. l., 1892,
says:
"Revenue cutters would not appear to
come within the limitations OF the treaty
Of 1917, for the United States maintains
four revenue steamers on the great
lakes, varying in tonnage from 419 to
400 tons each, and each carrying two or
three guns. The treaty provides that
neither party shall maintain on the
lakes greater number of vessels than
as follows: On Lake Ontario one vessel
not exceeding 100 tons. armed with one
eighteen FOUNDER cannon; OH the upper
lakes two vessels Of the same descrip
ton; on Lake Champlaln one vessel of
the same description; and that no other
vessel of war shall be built or armed on
these lakes"
The treasury department during the
past summer and fall have kept fully
advised of the continued activity OF the
Canadian authorities i'll building armed
cutters Oh the lakes. Under date Of
Dec 8, 1892. Lieut.. Garden, who spent
much of his time in Canada collecting
information OH the subject, made a sec
ond report to the secretary of the treas
ury. He finds that the hull designs Of
three vessels recently constructed or
now on tho docks the Constance, Cur
lew and Petrol, show sufficient strength
to permit of The mounting Of 14-pounder
rapid fire Maxim Nordenfeldt guns"
The Nordenteldt gun is the type of gun,
he says, which will enter into the arma-
ments of these revenue cutters.
Zine gun positions, Continues the re-
port, "permit of the placing of two
guns, one on each bow, for an almost
direct ahead fire. A. third gun position
in the after portion of each ship gives
an arc OF fire. from sharp onone bow,
roundethe stern to sharp on the oppo-
site bow. The rails amidship will per-
nit of the placing in broadside OF small
caliber rapid-tre and machine guns.
The Nordenfeldt battery mentioned for
the Petrol and her sisters is more than
a match for the combined batteries Of
the three United States revenue cut
ters on the lakes-the Perry, johnson
and Fessenden."
Discussing the fighting quality Of
these vessels. Lieut.. Garden says that
"the hull dimensions OF the Petrol, Con-
stance and Curlew will enable them to
maneuver with ease in the Welland
canal, and in the event of any possible
contingency maintain an effective COIL
troll of that canal, at least for three OF
four days, until additional gunboatS can
break from the st. Lawrence river across
Lake Ontario to the mouth of the Wei
land. Ordinary field batteries are not
sufficient to stop these ships. whereas
the rapid fire guns OF the new craft will
be expected to keep hostile forces clear
of the Welland locks until sufficient
number of British gunb0ats have en-
tered Lake Erie to permit OF menacing
the cities of the Northwest.
In concluding his report Lieut.. Car
den. speaking of the United States rev
enue cutters now on the lakes, says
they must needs be replaced by craft
having their vitals protected, and be
given rapid fire batteries, embracing at
least one four-inch rifle for each ship
supplemented by siX-pounder rapid
firing batteries. The present exposed
machinery of the johnson and Fessen-
den courts immediate destruction"
This report of Lieut.. Garden has &C.
casioned much comment in the treasury
department as emphasizing the need
for new revenue cutters of modern
type upon the lakes, capable of coping
if need be, with those now being con-
siructed by Canada.