The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-01-19
WORK ON THE MONITORS.
Tho Montauk Being Overhauled, and I
Nshsnt and Jason May BE.

Tho Montauk Being Overhauled, and the
Nshant and Jason May BE.
PHILADELPHIA. Jan. 16-The work of
pumping out tho great dry dock recently
built at the League-island navy-yard. pre-
paratory to an examination of the bottom
of the monitor Montauk. was begun this
morning. This will consume two or three
days. ALI day Saturday kilograms were
passing between League Island and Wash
ington and. as q result to-day q force of
men. sufficient to equip the vessel for sea
in less than three weeks. was put to work.
Six months ago the monitors Nahant and
Jason were dry-docked and thor bottoms
scraped. The orders from the Navy Depart
mentrequlre that the Montauk's engines be
tried after she has been thoroughly over
hauled. Captain Coughlin, acting CON-
mandsnt at League Island. says the monitor
cessity required it. In an interview here he
said the Montauk has not been out Of
the water for eighteen years. She is a ves-
sci with only ner engines and guns aboard.
That is to say she Is dismantled, as there
was no occasion during o long period of
idleness to have her equipped. She 10 pre-
served as well as it is possible for any boat
to be. In order to preserve the engines it
was necessary to separate many Of tho
parts. and it is almost like building a new
engine to put them together. The guns
have always been kept in order. She has
two of them. They are rified guns and
throw fifteen-inch shell. 1t would take
one week to put twenty-five or thirty tons
received six months ago to get the Nahant
and Jason ready for service. but no trial of
engines was ordered. The Monrauk il
1915 tons displacement The Nshant and
Jason could be got ready for service In q
week. The omplement of each ship is
from 160 to $50. officers and men.
Army Officers Studying Maps OF Chill
CHICAGO. Jan. 1S.-What may be regarded
a. q significant incident was the receipt at
army headquarters here. yesterday, of q
large number of maps from the War De-
partment of the fortified ports of Chill.
The MAPS which were taken from surveys
made in 1887. are said to show the position
of every fortified port along the Chilian
coast, the largest map showing the city
front of Valparaiso and the exact location
of every fortified spot in the city. There
are four large-sized forts commanding the
harbor and eight or ten heavy batteries be-
tween the north and south limits of the
city. The number of guns in use in these
fortified spots 10 problematlcal. but army
officers estimate that there are not less than
one hundred.
General Miles declines to discuss the
Chiian affair OF the receipt of the maps.
preferrlDg that all news be given out at
Washington. His aid. Gen. NJ. J.. Maus.
said the maps sent from Washington gave
q clear idea of the strength of the Chilians
in the m after of harbor defense. Valpa-
raiso is well fortified, but the heavy guns
OF ear biggest war ships could silence her
batteries in q short time, In my opinion.
General Maus SAYS the maps were sent
merely that the officers might become
acquainted with the situation. Army Of
ficers all over the country were brushing
up their knowledge of the military strength
of Chilli and there WAS no doubt q areat de-
mand for maps such as had been sent to
headquarters here.
The Charleston VIII Leave San Diego.
SAN DIEGO. Jan. ls.-The cruiser Charles
ton will leave here tomorrow. Tuesday.
morning. The vessels destination is un-
known. but it is supposed she will 20 to
San Francisco to dock and have her bot
ton cleaned.