The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-10
WITH FIRES BANKED.
The Coast Defense Vessel Monterey
Ready to Enter the War.

The Coast Defense Vessel Monterey
Ready to Enter the War.
VALLEJO, July AT the Mare Island
Navy-yard to-day there have been decided
war-like preparations quietly going on.
Three companies of United States marines.
showing company front Of 50 men in
double rank, we're drawn up in line. fully
equipped with rife. knapssck. canteen.
overcoat and blanket. awaiting orders.
On Sunday night telegraphic orders were
received by Captain H. T.. Howison. COM
mandant of the naval station, TO prepare
fOI an emergency call that might be made
for sailors or marines. The commandant
had already by several days anticipated
such an order and had made prep
arations. 1t was therefore necessary
that few further commands be issued.
His aid. Lieutenant Stoney, was in
structed to carry such orders as we're
necessary for securing details of men from
the Independence, Marion and Thetis.
The commanding officer of the coast
defense ship Monterey was instructed to
be ready to steam away at moments
notice. and also to arrange for taking on
board other men. Major Pope, command
ing officer of the marine barracks, was
ordered to prepare for the campaign.
Some $4,000 rounds of ammunition were
taken out of the magazine and distributed
among the marines.
The three companies Of marines will be
under command of Major Pope. Each
company will consist of sixty-two, IRE
spective of sergeants and corporals. Com
pany l will be commanded by Captain o.
c. Bergman, Company by First Lieu
tenant II. l.. Draper and Company 3 by
Second Lieutenant Robert Mem. Dutton.
Orders were issued to Pavmaster A. W.
Bacon on Sunday evening TO issue rations,
consisting of salt beef, salt pork, mutton,
tea, coffee, sugar and hard bread, enough
to last for five days, and it was only lit
tie after O'Clock before they were out of
the stOrehOuse and sent up to the marine
barracks. One Of the merchants of
Vallejo was also given an order for 100
raiions of canned goods such as are not
carried among the paymaster's supplies.
On board of the ships sailors were
formed into companies and equipped with
rifles, ammunition, blankets, knapsacks,
coffee-curs and tin plates. From the Ihetis
a company Of forty sailors went down to
the Independence this morning, ready for
the march, even to leggins over their
shoes. They we're sent to the receiving
ship to be close at hand to the monitor
Monterey. lying by, under banked fires.
At noon the men were marched back TO the
Thetis. The same number of men are
available from the Marion and the Inde-
pendence. They will be provided, in addi-
ton to the rifles, with several Gatllng
guns and Hotchkiss revolving cannon.
Telephone connection has been made by
cable from the Monterey to the CON-
mandants Office so that little delay need
be experienced in case orders arrived
The commandant states emphatlcally that
orders have not been issued to the various
officers to do anything further than to hold
themselves in readiness.
Captain Mcguire has rendered to the
naval authorities the use of the ferry-boats
Lizzie or Ellen in case boat is required
for the transportation of men.
The United States cruiser Charleston
arrived at San Francisco Sunday night,
and just as soon as the commandant was
informed of her arrival the Secretary of
the Navy was telegraphed to that effect
The commanding officer Of the Charleston
was instructed by CommandaBt How1son
to come up to the navy-yard at once, which
order has been complied with. Another
battalion of blue jackets can be formed
from the Charleston's crew.
The surgeon of the Monterey made an
emergency hospital-store requisition this
morning, which was Immediately signed by
the commandant and ordered filled at once.
From the officers down to the lowest pri-
vate all are in the dark as to where they
are to be ordered-whetber Sacramento,
Oakland or San Francisco. The marines
and naval forces can only be ordered away
from the yard by direct command of the
President of the United States or the Sec
retary of the Navy. The entire command
will devolve upon the senior officer. who
ever that may be. This has not been de-
termined, and cannot be until orders are
given to march. After once leaving the
station the battalion would then come up-
der the command of Major General Ru2er.
Since the 26th of June, when the first
symptoms Of trouble appeared, Captain
Howison has Deea taking extra precau-
ions for the safety of all Government
property under his control. At the maga-
zine, near the lower end OF the island.
where is stored thousands of pounds of
powder of all kinds. guard of marines
was posted at night in addition to the reg
ular waichmen employed, and this guard
has been kept posted ever since.
Up to 6 o'clock this aftern oon 20 further
orders had been received at the navy-yard
for the sailing of the Monterey. The force
will be kept in readiness to move at any
time during the night should they be re-
quired. ~
w WAsHINGIoN. July 9.-The administra-
ion this morning ordered the entire force
at the Mare Island Navy-yard to Cooper
ate with the troops at San Francisco. This
action has been taken because General
Ruger's garrison at the Presidio has been
weakened by the detachment of force to
operate at Los Angeles. He could not
prudently operate single-handed against