Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-15
ASSIGNMENT OF SHIPS.
Du'~ to Be Given tn Several of the Naval
Cruisers.


Cruisers.
Preparations are now being made at the Navy
Department to put the new armored cruiser New
York in commission carly in July. The details
to the New York are practically complete, there
being but one line lieutenant yet TO be assigned
to her. The cruiser is now ut Philadelphia re-
ceiving her finishing touches preparatory to
her formal transfer to the government. 1t is
the desire Of the department that this final
work Of preparation shall be carried on under
the supervision of her officers. There remains
about three months construction work on the
vessel This Includes the various contrivances
for the perfect operation of her batteries and
her machinery. 1t will not delay her much in
going into commission, as most of it can be
completed by her regular crew. In an
emergency the ship could be sent to sea while
the work is in progress.
November is the date set for the New York
to take up active cruising work. The new ship
will at the outset be assigned to flagship duty
on the North Atlantic station She will relieve
the cruiser San Francisco The San Francisco.
II Ia said. will then be sent to the European Sta
ton. and will probably relieve the Chicago as
flagship of that station.
The CHICAGO.
The Chicago, it is declared. will remain on
the European station for a short period after
being relieved by the San Francisco She will
then, IN all probability. return to the United
States and go out OF commission, for the pur-
pose Of receiving new triple-expansion engines
Under the designed improvements it is calcu-
lated that the Chicago will be made a sixteen
knot ship, an increase OF nearly two knots above
her present capacity with engines of old type.
The Chicago and Philadelphia. at the New
York navy yard. are about ready for foreign
duty. and il Is expected both will sail early next
week, the former for the European station and
the latter for the Pacific coast. Before the
Philadelphia sails she will be provided with
practically a new detail of men. who will be en-
listed for three years cruise. al! the short
service men being detached and sent to ships
on the home station or else to duty at the navy
yards.
REPAIRS TO TIE BENNINGTON.
The Bennington, which it is believed will
BE one OF the smaller vessels attached to the
European station, will require nearlysiI weeks
repair. and consequently will not be ready to
accompany the Chicago ON her cruise. The
gunboat Concord, at Norfolk. viii go to the
Asiatic station with the Baltimore and the
Yorktown will probably accompany the Charles
ton to the Pacific station. Both of tho latter
vessels will be ready to sail by the 10th of the
month and it nav be that the departure of the
Philadelphia will be delayed until then. so that
all three may proceed around the Horn together
The SAN Francisco.
The San Francisco, flagship Of the home sta
ton. IL about ready for active service again.
She has been undergoing some minor repairs
at the New York navy yard and will leave there
in "a few 6ays. No definite program has been
mapped out by the department. yet for the ma
neuyers Of the fleet this summer. but 1t is prob
able the usual custom of visit up the New
Engi-ld coast to Bar Harbor will be followed.
and later the fleet will be given target practice
for some weeks The Baltimore is likely to be
DELAYED longer in getting off for China than
wa expected. There is much to be done to her
machinery. and n new ice machine Is to be in
stalled before she can sail. 1t will take at least
two months to put her in thorough condition
for her long cruise. so that it will be we'll into
August before she leaves for her new station
via the Mediterranean and S1ez canal.