New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-02
GETTING THE FLEET TOGETHER.
THE VESSELS THAT WILL REALLY COMPOSE 1T
CAPTAIN PHILIP RETURNS TO
THE NEw-YORK.

CAPTAIN PHILIP RETURNS TO
THE NEw-YoRK.
The rumors which have been floating around this
city in reference to the purchases OF arms ana am
munition for the use Of the brazilian Government
have been growing. until yesterday 1t was cur
renty reported that fleet OF ten vessels mad been
purchased and were to be fitted out Immediately
These vessels were said to be El Cid and Ell Rio
of the Morgan Line; the Ericsson Destroyer, the
swift steam yacht Feiseen, an English torpedo
boat and the five vessels OF the extinct United
States and Brazil Steamship Line-the Advance
Finance, Allianca, Seguranca and Vigiancia.
These rumors were much exaggerated. The YES
sells actually purchased, SO far, are only tnree
In number, FL Cid the Destroyer and the Feiseeh.
An attempt was made to purchase FL RIO, put so
far the negotiations have not been cornpieteu Inc
purchase of the other five steamers was never en-
tered upon. A rumor that or two Of them might
be bought tenders was printed for what II was
worth in last Sundays Tribune.
Yesterday George f. Weed, president OF the
Morgan Iron Works, and large stockhoder in the
old United States and Brazil Steamship Line said
positively that the steamers had not been soid
and that no offers had been made for them. Iney
were entirely untitled for any such work as was
contemplated and would have to be practically re-
built before they could be used as warships. Nr
Weed also certain that no more vessels would I
be bought by Brazil. c; p. Huntington also pos
The five were sold under foreclosure last
spring. and purchased by John ID. kockeIelier
and Charles NJ. Pratt. of the Standard on ,i C3m
pany, who had been interested In the steamship
line. They now lying at the Erie Basin. Mt
Pratt said yesterday that he knew nothing of the
reported sale of the vessels to the Brazilian Gov
ernment. An option had been given on them
nounced but Mr.. Pratt said he knew nothing OF the
present state OF the negotiations.
Work on FL Cid proceeded rapidly YESTERDAY,
and the size and extent of her armament sor the
l5nch dynamite gun, one 47-inch. two 4-insn, srs
two 1i-pounder and eight 6-pounder rapid-nre
rife and two 31-mllimetre revolving cannon.
The cargo ports in her sides are to be used fcr
the Gpounders Most OF the other guns are "
preparing their supports is nearly completed.
second coat OF dark green. non-fouling paint was
put on the ship below the water-ne yesterday.
about sixty men being engaged In the WORK 1ne
and towed to the Morgan Iron Works. at Ninth.
ST. and East River, where her guns VIII pc put Pun
i'm place. Although It is certain that most OF the
guns stored somewhere along the wa'eI-
front near Ninth-st., no one has yet managed 70 70
Spring where the finishing touches are being
put upon IT,. 40, ,. No,,vor,,
will be sent to Brazil Is still unanswered NO new
developments in the case were brought iortn yes,
tcrday. The/vesse still lay at her moorings; ana
il was not known board when she wouid 20
away or whether she would go at all In fact captain
T. w Philip had returned from washington .late
on Tuesday but he knew nothing decisive ABOUT
her movements: he had no orders TO 60 ana ne
adj not think any one knew anything settled about
her destination. She would not sail inside OF a
week or ten days. anyway, he Thought, because OF
thc work which has been begun on her AS soon
as th,.iorpedo tubes have been fitted In the New
York she will be not only the largest and finest.
hut in every way the most complete, cruiser now IN
commission In the Navy.