The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-16

They Are Badly Wanted on the Pacific, the
Lakes. and tho Atlnntie Senhonrd.

Lakes, aud tho Atlantic Seabonrd.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 15.-The House Com.
mittee on Interstate and Foreign Com
merce has ordered favorable report upon the
bill appropriating $4,000 for u revenue cut
ter on the New England coast. That however
is only one OF several needed revenue vessels.
The Pacific coast Is particularly in want OF at
least two now cutters. while the lakes should
also have two. Indeed. projects for such vcs-
sells were introduced into the last Congress Mt
tho urgent solicitation OF the Treasury Depart.
mont. and Senator Mtchelrs bill for two vrs.
sells on the Pacific Is now pending.
Nothing could better show the pressing no.
cessities OF the Puget Sound region than the re.
cent orders to send thither tho Grant and the
Perry. The Inter is used on Lake Erie aud axe
Ontario. and the Grant from the eastern end OF
Long Island to Delaware Bay. The Perry
must first go TO New York by way OF the st.
Lawrence, and then both vessels must take
the long journey around to PUGET Sound Tho
vessels are OF about the same dimensions
feet long by 20 beam and rather more thnu II
feet draught. They carry each a Com element
ofabout fifty officers and men
Tho purpose OF ordering these cutters to tho
Pacific Is Tor usn in checking the smuggling Of
opium and Cinnamon or a. rcrnfogrements for
an orce for the aio nnrE rS Is
sufficiently shown 10y tho frequent landing of
Ghina,nHn brought into the c4umtry in viola
ury Department which show that tho greater
rart of tho opium used N. this country is
been said however. that the specific necd Of
the Puget Sound region may lie less that
launches fitted to 20 among the narrow ' pas
saGcs and shoal waters OF that region. but
there is no doubt that extra cutters will 10
bly, the Grant and the Perry can. with proper
preparation. perform duties like those now as
signed to the Rush. the Bear and the Corwn.
but they are not specially suited to the task.
Congress ought last winter TO have author
coast. They could have been built there this
year. and the expense Of sending the Grant all
the way from New n1rk and the Perry all the
avoided. 1t Is sheer loss. because in the mean
time they are performing no revenue service
Quire more repairs and reiltt ings. The
SUMPTION Is that such q transfer of vessels.
tho result Of more imperative needs on the
pacilic eariy next ynar. ana before other
Sssses soa o Ss Sq duty to nt
eeeP greatly EXTENDED under the decision
whether any legislation can be had before next
that extra duties may be required Of it next
spring. In making t,is nreparation., Yet it
%ou prns the
Ing OF two new cutters on the Pacific. and then
It would have been possible to rely on the navy
Not only would the entire cost Of the voyage
OF the Gran, and the Perry have been saved as.
the Paci 10 eoast. but they would have r GH
NAMED available for duty in Atlantic and lake
ate be 5se OF tic Is
OF the voyages to Offset it.
One reinforcement. however. for tho revenue
is the Window, building for. Chesapeake Bav
service at DUBUQUE. by the lowe IrSn Works.
land OF very light draueht. and her
engines. which are OF the vertical. inverted
SssTnsd 1T hs NaEy
her IA knots per hour. She will have u com
plement Of about forty-aye officers and men,
BE- taken down Tie MississipSi and Delivered
The Iowa Iron Works are building the torpedo
boat Ericsson. and members OF Congress from
shops for furnishing both the revenue cutters
and the lighter craft Of the navy.
or course new vessels from time to time are
the Winona and the Galveston two years ago:
early last year The fines and conilscatons for
ve TO on te pynS
prepared in factory costs a great deal less than
on d the sss se0h can oF the
smuegler an enormous profit, even fine unde,- |
btHs Inc ldMluHS uTuH. a Single
vessel. the Halcyon. was rumored to have |
landed $3.50. 900 worth OF smugglcd opium at |
various points In one voyage: and of course |
the small boats and the secreted packages on |
regular steamers ring in great quantities. |
while much Is carried eastward by rail
One suggestion in regard to tho building OF
new revenue cutters is worth noting It is
hat they should be, constructed with view
to possible war service by giving them high
speed and sufficient strength for carrying good
batteries. Speed Is necessary even for their
reace service. in view, of the employment of
last yassels in SmupglinU in ot In Illicit
nc like sealing in prohibited waters. 1t is also OF
great value in going to the aid Of vessels in
distress. which is a service constantly eXacted
IF the revenue marine. In all our wars the
revenue cutters have taken an active rart and
t is possible that the service may be regularly
transferred to the Navy Department. But.
however that may be. it could furnish force
u nearly forty small vessels. for scouting or
he harassing OF an enemy's commerce.
rhe six-pounders which are now mounted on
he best of them have range of several
niles. and can be fired many times n minute
t is we'll to keep In mind the possible war
ervice Of these vessels in constructing the
lew ones imperative!y needed.