The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-21
NEWS or the NAVY.
Three Rear Adrirnl- to he Rstired-Th.
Top-hervy Gunbonts.

Three Rear Adruirnls to he Retired-Th.
Top-hervy Gunbont-.
WARRINGTON Jan. &c. Rear Admiral George
T. Belknap will be 81 years old on Monday,
and will be placed on the retired list from that
date on account Of age. He closed his career
In the active service to-day. Admiral Belknap
was appointed to the navy from New Hamp-
shire as a midshlpman In 1916 The vacancy
created by his retirement will be filled by the
promotion Of Com modore John G.. Walker. who
succeeded Admiral Belknap on Monday last
as President OF the Naval Board OF Inspection
and Survey.
Two moro Rear Admirals will retire in April.
The retirement OF Admiral Benham will pro-
mote Commodore 7. NJ. Ramsay. and the re-
tirement OF Admiral Irwin will promote Com
modore Joseph $. Skerrett When Commodore
Ramsay is promoted he will probably be as
signed to tho command OF the North Atlantic
station. Commodore Skerrett will remain
In command OF the Asiatic station. Commo-
dore Richard W. Meade will soon be assign cd
to a command. lie would prefer nm assign
ment to tho North Atlantic station. having a
desire to develop the naval reserves. but the
exiKencies OF tho service are likely to assign
Irwin
SO far on the report OF the Naval stability
Board, recommending that the gurhoats
Iachias ana taSt,ne each be heightened four
teen feet, to make them stable aud scaworthy.
1t il learned that the p!an Of the Hoard con-
templated the, utilization OF the additional
coal. and it is estimated "e that eir5ty!nre
tons additional TO the regular coal capacity
viii be given. The Board in its report says
this addition to the coal bunkers has the two
fold object OF providing for more coal and
weight to overcome the tendency to tor. heavi-
ness caused by the heavy guns and masts. It
is not claimed by the Board that the mere ad-
hn Qbi atril a
with the instability. and the very natural in
curry as to what insurance Of safety is given
has been met by the Board with q provision for
water tank TO offset the depleted coal supply.
New York this morning from New London.
where she has been on duty connected with
the trial Of the Montgomery The vesuvias
coust, probably to the West Indies, with in
structions to blow up all distractions to navi-
The Navy DEPARTMENT has been officially in.
formed OF the end of an old ship. q sort %
70 no Government and claimed by none. Xitor
the t war between tween Iaraguay and The combined
OF Taa Of pafasaay
{. &, the Cni, He'd, States a wooden war
ri ss"isq Sgf IF Don
vessel nor to send her back tolParaguay, so the
'0ld shin has been lying for years at the Mare
lslanu navy larO. some time ago she sank,
and recently the Navy Department found II
necessary to destroy, the hulk to open the
mandant OF the Navy Yard Just received at
the department. tells that the destruction has
taken place.
In the interest OF STRENGTHENING the Pacino
naval station. Secretary Herbert to-day or
dered the gunboat Bennington from Nice
France. to San Francisco. The order was sent
by cable to Rear Admiral Erben. commanding
the European station. and he was directed TO
have the Bennington proceed by way OF the
Straits Of Magellan The withdrawal Of tbs
bennington lsaves the European station with
only one vessel the flagship Chicago. and tn,
Bennington's assignment to the Pacific 10
probably preliminary 10 sending her to Bohring
Sea. When the Brazilian war Is over the
Charleston and probably the San Francisco will
return to the Pacific station, and 1t Is likely
that they, or the vessels which they relieve.
will be sent to the sealing waters.