The morning call., 1893-11-04
: PEXOTO's NEW FLEET.
Gradually Ie 10 Growing Larger ana
Larger.

LdE ger.
:: NEW YORK, Nov. 3.-It is rumored tc-
night that Flint & Co. were negotiating
with the METROPOLITAN Steamship Company
for the purchase of one of the two fine
steamers, Herman Winter and 81. f.
Dimock
=. These two steamers are among the
: ablest sea-going steamers engaged in the
American coast trade and both have been
inspected by the board of United States
naval officers with view to their utiliza-
ton as United States cruisers in time of
war.
Plans for their speedy conversion into
war vessels are now among the files Of the
Navy Department The Winter is single
screw vessel of 262s gross tons. She has 4
length of 2718 feet and beam of 41.6 feet.
g. Her mean draught is 1912 feet, and she was
bullt u 1886.
= The Dmock is a singe-screw steamer
possessing the same general dimensions as
the Winter. and was built in 1884. The
crew. for the new Brazilian warship FL Cid
IS. practically made up, as it was an
ne1nced to-day that $50 American sesmen
had been retained for this vessel. With
hardly an exception every man is under 80
years OF age and is an American.
They are from all walks OF life. but gen.
orally they have seen service in warships
orvessels of the merchant marine. The
crewof El Cid is said to have been selected
from nearly 500 applicants.
a. well posted naval officer, who has had
a-chauce to observe this selection of men,
: said yesterday that were he picking crew
for one of the new ships of the United
States navy it would be difficult to find a
better class of men than those which made
application to be taken on FL Cid.
:: Fl Cid will carry in addition to her cap
:. in. eight division officers. and her bat
tery, it is said, viii be exclusively in
charge of young graduates of the United
States Nava! Academy.
:: Some of these young fellows left the
navy after three or four years service On
=. War.ships in foreign waters. and one or
two Of them are to-day holding remu nera-
tive: position in civil life. The chance for
active service, however. appears to have
been too strong temptation for them to
stand.
"; The crew. it is announced, is to go on
board tomorrow. but it is not known posi-
: lively just when the agents of the Brazil
ian Government propose to put the war
Ship ia commission.
The representatives of Peixoto's govern
ment are evidently determined 10 give
admiral de Mello's men no chance to pre-
vent the FL Cid's departure for Brazilian
waters. and accordingly have placed the
makes hifi warship under guard.
II was Iumored around the docks this
*mpTning that the guards were secured be-
cause It was supposed that an attempt to
pface torpedo under El Cid would be
made: The rumor was to the effect that
tfle diver was discovered shortly after mid
night Just as he was about to leave row.
boat alongside the ship. The report could
mot be verified
:. The trouble over the departure OF the
Destroyer was adjusted today. and it is
taid that bonds having been given for the
value OF the ship. the leasee had with
drawn his objections to her departure.
One OF the three steam yachts will also
be bought by Flint & Co. for use a. Bra
lillian gunboat. The three yachts which
are under consideration are the Atalanta.
Nourmahal and Lady Torpida. The ones
:tion is one OF price, for all of them are
available for the use required.
1t is now probable that two Of the steam-
ships of the defunct Brazil line will he
purchased to act as transports for troops