The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-09-12
u. s. NAVAL NOTES.
The Boston's Hull Badly FOuIed
by Marine Vegetation.
From the Washington Star. ]

The condition of the L. S. S
Boston, which has been lying il
the harbor of Honolulu for over q
year, causes no little concern a;
the navy department. 1t is repre-.
scented that her hull is so badly
fouled by an excessive growth Of
marine vegetation that she will
have great difficulty in getting
back to San Francisco. The trip
is 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 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 soon as she arrives, the
Boston will leave for San Francisco
for the purpose of receiving a thor
ough overhauling.
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 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
.imore will proceed to the China
station by way of Gibraltar, Malta,
Port Said, Suez canal, Alden, Co.
ombo, Singapore and Hongkong.
The cruiser VIII proceed to the lar
east under easy steaming. She
will stop for short periods at the
various ports en- route, SO that it is
that she will not reach
Hongkong much before the middle
If 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
yard. She is slated for service on
he South Atlantic station, and will
sail early in September.
Orders were telegraphed on Aug |
list 18th, to Captain Barker, COM
handing the cruiser Philadelphia,
It Callao, Peru, to proceed at once
o Honolulu to relieve the cruiser
Boston, ordered to San Francisco
or repairs. For some time the ma
y department has known that the
Boston was in a bad condition, and
he delay in ordering her home in
icates the condition of affairs in
Hawaii is considered so uncertain
he government deems it wise to
,rotect American interests there by
he presence of two vessels.
A cable message was received at
he navy department on August 81
rom Capt. Barker, commanding
he U. S. s. Philadelphia at Cal
40, Peru, acknowledging the re-
eipt of departments orders to pro-
eed to Honolulu, Hawaii. without
clay and saying that he will start
n the 25th instant. Orders have
cen sent to Admiral Skerrett,
ommanding the naval forces at
honolulu to send the U. S. S. Bos-
IN to San Francisco Immediately |
n the arrival of the Philadelphia,
nd to transfer his flag to the latter
essel. He was not charged with
ne assumption of any diplomatic
motions whatever, and it is there
IRE assumed that until Minister
lount's successor is appointed