Iron County register., 1894-08-16
UNCLE SANS NAvEE.

VhAJ a fOrtfOn OF 1t Available Tor Cruising
Duty, or to Watch Our Interests Abroad.
Owing to the Limitation Placed Upon the
Working Force and Other Considers.
tions In Which Money Cuts a big Figure.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-It is said in
naval circles that the enthusiastic ad-
vocateS of a warlike demonstration BY
the United States naval forces in Ash
attic waters, which would necessitate
voyages of over 5000 miles from San
francisco and nearly 5000 from New
fork-these ports being the basis of
American naval operations-give little
or no intelligent consideration to the
problem constantly vexing the officials
OF the government who are charged
with caring for our interests in various
parts of the world. Practically the en-
the navy of the United States to-day
IS IN HOME WATERS,
the only fleet abroad worthy of the
name consisting of the Baltimore and
Monocacy in Corean waters and the
Concord and Petrol, now steaming to
reinforce them from their summer in
Behring sea, $500 miles from Yoko-
hama. With four vessels already near
the scene of hostilities. the United
States has prorortionately greater
protection for the interests of its citi-
zens in China. Japan and Corea than
elsewhere in the world. Notwithstand-
ing
THE LARGE INTERESTS OF THIS GOVERN
MENT
in South America there isn't a single
vessel on that coast, the wooden cruiser
4antic, which has not left the Rio De
La Plata for many years. The flagship
OF the South Atlantic station is on her
way to Capetown to be docked voryag
ing $500 miles from Montevideo for
that purpose. When she is again ready
for sea she will be 5000 miles from
China, and in case of emergency could
not reach Shanghai before the end of
September.
THE CHICAGO is THE ONLY VESSEL
on the European station, and she is in
need of such extensive repairs as will
necessitate her return to this country
in few months. OF the ships on the
home station, the Philadelphia is bring
ing Admiral Walker home from Homo
lulu, and is to be repaired at Mare
Island; the Monterey is exclusively for
coast defense; the Mohican. Yorktown,
Ranger, Adams and Alert are guard
ing the seals at Pribylloff islands: the
bennington is hOmeward bound from
Salvador with a disabled engine that
will
CONSUME MONTH IN REPAIRs;
the Marion is in the dry dock, where
she will remain for seventy-five days
more; the Boston requires fifty-four
days work to make her ready for sea,
and the new flyer. Olympia, when COM
missioned, must stay near San Francisco
for six months to get her in cruising
shape. The Charleston alone is avaiia-
BILE for immediate duty, and she must
be relied upon to take care of Ameri-
can interests from Behring sea to Pata-
gonia.
IF AN EMERGENCY SHOULD ARISE
anywhere on that 10. 900 miles of coast
line she could be rushed across the
Pacific to Yokohama in twenty days,
but with exceedingly doubtful proprie-
attic squadron are considered impera-
tive, the Yorktown. which is now but
$500 miles away, could. in the opinion
OF naval officers. best be spared. She
is $500 miles nearer to China than any
other American warship, and she is
specially adapted, by her small size,
and comparative economy, for the serv-
ice.
FOUR-FIFTHs OF THE EFFECTIVE NAVY
is on the Atlantic coast. distant about
$4,000 miles from China. The New
York must remain near New York
it cost several hundred thousand dol
lars to send her to Rio, and she is the
most expensive vessel to move about in
the whole navy. The Miantonomoh,
Vesuvius, Dolphin and the Maine when
the latter Is completed), are not intend
ed to leave the home coast. The Column
bia and Marblehead are at Bluefields.
The Marblehead might be
STARTED on A TWO MONTHS VOYAGE
to the east if relieved by the Montgom-
cry. The latter vessel must remain
near Norfolk for six months, awaiting
the high-pressure cylinder to replace
the one destroyed on her recent trial
trip. The Atlanta is III good condition,
and might reach China in 100 days. The
Minneapolis must stay at home five
months longer. The San Francisco has
just gone to the Brooklyn navy yard
for forty days repairs. and the Detroit
will not be ready to leave Norfolk for
the same time.
THE NEW GOvERNMENT-BUIIT RALEIGH
and Cincinnati are to be retained at
home, and the only two vessels about
which there is no question as to future
duty are the Machias and Castine,
which were designed especially for
such service as is required in Asiatic
ports. These vessels were recently cut
in half and heightened. and it is ex-
pected they will be ready to leave tl%
Brooklyn yard in thirty days, which
would enable them to join the Balti-
more late in November.
ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEMS
which confronts the administration in
sending naval vessels abroad is the i'm
possibility of furnishing them with the
necessary complement of men to ham
die the ships. The law allows but Q, 900
Ienisted men in the navy, which is the
same number as that allowed when the
| navy was half its present fighting
strength. 1t takes $4,000 men to keep
all the present ships in commission on
| a strictly peace footing.
AN ENTIRE BLOCK