The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-04-08
Tho Sealing Patrol Fleets.

Il IL now pretty we'll known what ves-
sells will DO available on the part OF Great
Britain and the United states for protect
Ing the fur seals during the present year.
Most of the work will undoubtedly fall
upon our ships. as during previous sea-
sons. This may sssm strange. since
Great Britain is bound no less than the
United States to carry into practical effect
the decision rendered ct Paris. Besides. a
very large part OF the sealing vessels hail
from British Columbia. and It appears that
they are making an ado about their liability
to be boarded by American war ships.
The best way. therefore. to diminish the
chances OF their being thus visited would
seem TO be the collection Of numer-
Gus British patrol feet. But in reality
the force now available for the purpose on
the British Pacific station Is hardly half Of
that which tho United States will employ:
and yet Great Britain has o vastly larger
navy ct her disposal.
There are half dozen ships on the
British Pacific station. and Of these the
most important. the flagship Royal Arthur.
will not be assigned. It 10 understood. to
Behring Sea duty. That leaves five ves-
sells. OF which the principal one Is the
Champion. Of 2. $50 tons. The others are the
Satellite and Hyacinth. each OF 1.420 tons.
LOO horse power. and eight guns; the
Eymphe Of LAO tons. and the Pheasant OF
765. Most Of these vessels are said to make
10 knots. and one Of them AZ. SO that they
will have speed enough for their purpose.
But II We turn to the American patrol
feet. We find that It will include nearly or
quite Q dozen vessels. The Mohican. Of
1900 tons and ten guns. left San Fran
cisco for Port Townsend moro than .
week ago. The Yorktown. steel gunboat,
Of loo tons and $500 horse power. carrying
six 6-inch rifles. has since Joined her at
Port Townsend. The Yorktown's sister
ships, the Concord and bennington. are
also selected for this work. The former
will 60 north from Chinese waters. where
she now IL. while the latter has reached VAL
paraiso. on her way 10 San Fran
cisco. having been recalled from the
European station for this purpose. The
gunboat Petrol IL also o contribution
from the Asiatio station. The Adams.
Q wooden vessel OF 1878 tons and six
guns will be due ct Sitka, May 1. and
the Alert. an iron craft Of 1.o20 tons
and four guns. will also DO assigned to this
duty. The Ranger. o sister ship Of the
Alert. now on the Mexican coast. will form
still another contribution from the navy.
1t is possible. even. that the Charleston.
q fine protected cruiser OF 4.o40 tons
and Gees horse power. carrying eight
guns. may be added to the fleet. She
left Rio last week for Montevideo. where
che will probably be relieved by the ALI
ance. and then sail for the Pacific. unless
detained by the troubles In Brazil. Add the
revenue cutters Bear. Rush. and Corwln.
long familiar with sealing patrol duty, and
the Fish Commission steamer Albatroes.
and the total. even without the Charleston.
shows how large and efficient a patrol feet
our Government will assemble.
It should be said. however. that Great
Britain can easily reinforce her North
Pacific feet by drawing from her China and
Australian stations. This. indeed. she may
be expected to do. since 1t is not to be sup
posed that she will take away her entire
Pacific squadron. or even all but the flag
ship, for duty In and around Behring Sea.
But - she must be her own judge Of what
good faith requires In this matter. our Navy
Department will take no chances. and will
make up It's programme without reliance on
that cooperation which. TO some extent at
least. may undoubtedly be expected.