The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-09-08
u. S. NAVAL NOTES.
by Marine Vegetation.
From the Washington Star. !

bhS Aol OOI Vi 1AO4OAuAu lux OFcI
year, causes no little concern at
the navy department. 1t is repre-
scented that her hull is so badly
fouied by an excessive growth Of
marine vegetation that she will
have great difficulty in getting
back to San Francisco. The trip
is a long one, and in her condition
will necessarily be made at a low
rate of speed. 1t is said that even
at the expense of a large amount
of fuel she will not be able TO make
much better time than a sailing
vessel, roughly estimated at seven
knots an hour. 1t was this rapid
accumulation Of marine growth on
the bottom of the Boston, rather
than any fear Of trouble In the Ha
waiian islands, that induced the
secretary Of the navy to order the
U. S. S. Philadelphia from Callao,
Peru, to Honolulu to relieve the
Boston. The Philadelphia will
start tomorrow, and is expected to
make the trip in about twenty-five
days. As coon as she arrives, the
Boston will leave for San Francisco
for the purpose of receiving thor
ough overhaullng.
The cruiser Olympia is being
rapidly made ready at the ship
yard at San Francisco for her pre-
liminary speed trials, which will
take place shortly. Captain Henry
Glass, now captain of the navy
yard Of Mare Island, will, in all
probability, take command of the
Olympia when she is turned over
TO the government, and it is under
stood that the vessel, when COM
missioned, will be the flagship of
the Pacific squadron.
1t is expected that the cruiser
Baltimore, now fitting out at the
New York navy yard for service on
the Asiatic station, will be ready
to start not later than August %.
Active preparations are being made
on board the vessel for a long
cruise in foreign waters. On arriv-
ing on the China station the Balti-
more will become flagship of the
United States squadron now in
China waters. The present flag
ship is the steam frigate Lancaster.
The Lancaster flies the pennant of
Rear-Admiral John Irwin. The
captain of the Lancaster is Captain
Alexander Mccormick. The Bal
timore will proceed to the China
station by way of Gibraltar, Malta,
Port Said, Suez canal, Alden, CO.
lombo, Singapore and Hongkong.
The cruiser will proceed to the far
east under easy steaming. She
will stop for short periods at the
various ports en- route, so that it is
probable that she will not reach
Hongkong much before the middle
of November. When the Baltimore
sails there will be left in American
waters but one cruiser, the Newark,
destined for foreign service. The
Newark is at the Norfolk navy
ward. She is slated for service on
the South Atlantic station, and Will
probably sail early in September.
Word has been received at the
navy department regarding the
cruisers Charleston and Yorktown,
which recently left these shores for
service on the Pacific station. The
Yorktown left New York July %,
and after making a stop at Barba-
does August 1 arrived at Rio de
Janeiro on the 18th inst. The
Charleston arrived at Barbados
August 90, eight days from Fort
Monroe. The two vessels will coal
and then continue on their cruise
around the Horn.
Orders were telegraphed on Aug
ust 18th, to Captain Barker, com
manding the cruiser Philadelphia
at Callao, Peru, to proceed at once
TO Honolulu to relieve the cruiser
Boston, ordered to San Francisco
for repairs. For some time the ma
w department has known that the
Boston was in a bad condition, and
the delay in ordering her home in
dicates the condition of affairs IN
Hawaii is considered so uncertain
the government deems it wise to
protect American interests there by
the presence of two vessels.
A cable message was received al
the navy department on August u
from Capt. Barker, commanding
the U. S. S. Philadelphia at Cal
lao, Peru, acknowledging the re-
ceipt of departments orders to pro
coed to Honolulu, Hawaii, without
delay and saying that he will starr
ON the 18th instant. Orders have
been sent to Admiral Skerrett
commanding the naval forces a
Honolulu to send the L. 5. 5. Bos
ton to San Francisco immediately
on the arrival of the Philadelphia
and to transfer his flag to the lattel
vessel. He was not charged witt
the assumption of any diplomatic
functions whatever, and it is there
fore assumed that until Ministe
Blount's successor is appointed
Consul-General Severance will b'
the medium of all diplomatic com
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