The Indianapolis journal., 1893-11-20
ABOARD FOR BRAZIL.
Cruiser NictherOy and Her Torpedo
Boats Leave To-day.


Boats Leave To-day.
NEW YORK, nov. 19.-The Brazilian
minister, Salvador Mendonca, accompanied
by his secretary and a small party of
friends, visited the cruiser Nictheroy to-
day she swung at anchor in the bay.
They went on board in the morning and
stayed the ship several hours. Minister
Mendonca expressed himself tonight as
thoroughly satisfied with everything that
had been done. ITO refit in short time,''
he said, was, l think, wonderful piece
of American enterprise" The party
watched the men at work getting the tor
pedoes and the Yarrow torpedo boat on
board and clearing the decks preparatory
to sailing while the Brazilian minister held
a consultation with the captain. The
captain of the Nictheroy has already re-
ceived his instructions and will sail under
sealed orders. To-day Minister Mendonca
was of the opinion that the new cruiser
would sail before morning.
'She is now almost ready" he said, land
far as L know it is only matter of
suitable tide OF course, there is consider
able confusion the vessel. owing to the
tremendous amount of supplies to be taken
on board. They have supplies enough TO last
six or eight months, in case it may be nee
essary to make a long cruise The Bra
lillian minister was satisfied that the boats
which are going from this country to Bra
zil would reach their port of destination
without trouble. he however Is of the
a p00 that Of o h yesseg neh ss tho 5e
Aquidaban, the little craft will undoubt-
I'VE do not expect any such thing, how
ever" he said, ''for the Nictheroy will do
her Gpest to keep out of the way. She is
not fit to battle with war ship like the
Aouidaban, but ] am sure that she could
def 81
to the insurgent fleet"
The second cruiser of the new Brazilian
fleet, according to Minister Mendonca, will
be ready for sailing some time the latter
part of this week. She will follow directly
in the course Of the Nictheroy and ; until
main in this city looking after the arrange
ments. On Saturday he received dispatch
stating that the situation had not mater
tally changed within the past few weeks.
He did not therefore believe that there is
any truth in the report that Mello has al
ready put out to meet the new cruisers.
''If Mello had taken such course L would
they telegraph me that the situation is the
same 1 am naturally led to believe Mello
is still pursuing his old tactics he said.
The Brazilian minister has already stated
that the cruisers which have recently been
purchased by the Brazilian government
would rendezvous in one of the northern
ports OF Brazil ard that they would be met,
in all probability, by two of the largest
warships there. The Brazilians expect to
reach port in safety, more through their
speed than their lighting power The boats
which go from here are capable of a speed
of eighteen knots while Mello's vessels cam
not steam faster than fourteen or fifteen
knots at least not those which could afford
any practical opposition to the Nictheroy or
the britannia The precautions taken in
supplying the vessels so extensively un-
doubtedly mean that they will stay at sea
rather than face battle with any of Mel
los bigger ships. Minister Mendonca
said tonight that he did not think any ad-
ditional vessels were TO be added to the
fleet He further said that he believed Mel
los force could make no headWay against
the forces the Brazilian government is now
able to put out both in the field and on the
sea The Brazilian minister expects to
leave for Washington some time early next
week The dynamite boat was tested five
or six times with blank charges this after
noon, proving a great success. Captain
Zealinski is much pleased. He will remain
ON hoard until the last moment.