The sun., 1894-10-14

watchful observers that Great Britain has more
/ than commercial spirit to prompt her in the
/ outlay Of this great amount OF money. when
| practically there is no business need of such an
| outlay. The two American locks will be more
than sufficient for the business. Military
strategy plainly enters into the problem OF
this enormous expense. amounting TO several
millions OF dollars. Like the construction OF
| the Cananian Pacific Railroad military cx-
pediehcy, the experts say Is the inspiring motive
of the undertaking of this public work.
II Is well known also that thoughtful citizens
who live on the great lakes have been much dis
turbed this year by the appearance OF the Cana
dian fishing patrol fleet, consisting of several
stocky boats Of good speed and capable OF being
transformed into vessels By the mere
mounting Of modern guns on their decks. Not
only are these vessels said To have been built
with the exigcncies OF war in view. but there Is
said to he good authority for declaring that tho
English Government has an equipment for them
in the way of cannon and ammunition slowed
away in Canada ready forEany emergency. Al
though both countries are forbidden by treaty
TO keep more than one vessel on the lakes
and that of n very insignificant size. IL
is generally understood along the great
lakes that Great Britain has the equipment
already to turn her fishing patrol into men of
war in a jiffy, to be ready should circumstances
Cleveland. Detroit, Chicago, Milwaukee. Du-
lu tn, and score more of smaller ones as
Senator Higgins says, to ransom or devasta-
The lakes, the tub Michigan. and the trans.
formed Canadian fishing fleet, 1t has been
serted, could lombard city after city, and de-
strOy millions upon millions OF dollars worth Of
property before the United States could meet
them with any sort OF naval demonstration.
This had been the situation until June = this
year, when the appearance of a modern ocean
going craft changed the aspect considerably. IL
Is possible that the fhct escaped the notice OF
senator Higgins that the steamship Northwest
OF the Northern Steamship company has solved
the problem OF the military situation to great
zen OF Buffalo said recently, millions OF dol
lars 10 this country, for 1t practically insures
ing on the inlsnd lakes"
The Northwest is a twin-screw vessel, with a
speed of from 10 tO 2l knots an hour, nearly
400 feet long. equipped with every appliance Of
navigation aud capable OF being TRANSFORMED
was transformed into a cruiser for the brazilian
navy In New York harbor last year. The North
senger traffic. Next year "a sister snip, the
NOrthland, viii appear. These two vessels, be-
cause of their great speed and size, will H. able
TO sweep the lakes OF every British vessel thai
may be sent out and their appearance, naval ex-
cities and American commerce on the great in
land waters OF the continent. This means il is
asserted. not only security for vast amount OF
American property. but moderate prices for
wheat and other kinds OF grain, for lake trans
pOftAtlOn Is the key 10 tne price OF those COM
modities TO a certain extent and war would de-
stIoy this means OF communication.
the In hsF as soSs as Of sITr to
west lies for the American people. and per-
haps L was quiet recognition OF this
asIn that greeted the ship from one end OF the
lakes 70 the other last simmer when she APP
psared. The vessel loft Buffalo for Duluth every
Tuesday evening. Tine whole town OF Buffalo
seemed to come down TO see her start. The
next morning at Cleveland hundreds would
come down To the wharf and look the chin
That afternoon at Detroit the same experience
followed Later in the day the girls on the st.
Clair River, as was recently told in THE sun
would salute the ship in an ecstasy OF delight
for forty miles along the famous fats. At Sault
see the ship go through the lock, and at Duluth
the next morning a similar welcome await
il took week or more to 90 from BufS
falo 70 Duluth, but Ia this superb craft one
going steamer, three or four vessels only
excepted, that distance OF nearly l,20O miles In
one OF The most asGhtfT that eou ssh BE- ms
agined. an ocean voyage right inside OF ones
own country, with an occasional run into some
harbor and squirt now and tnen through some
beautiful river or along some rocky shore, IL vas
an appreciation OF the fact that not only was
this ship great advance in shipbuilding ON the
lakes, but that IL meant much 20 American
safety In case Of conflict with England, that led,
vessel W whenever and wherever she appeared. 'D'
The Norlhwest's dimensions are: Length. $50
ISL feet Tie sbp 6SRevep @ost aTaIsb baIsbs
from the fact that she is the first large craft 70
try the quadruple expansion OF steam system |
anywhere. Moreover, she has water-tube boil |
ers on large scale, and her experiences are not |
only being watched by marine engineers every |
where, but our Navy Department has been max |
Ing study OF her engine performances in adj |
dition to considering the possibilities Of using
her as a naval craft In case OF war The ship |
has been painted white, and, with her three iui-
posing snokepipes, makes picture as impress |
slve in It's way as one Of the White squadron. |
Not only does the speed OF this ship make her val
cable rs naval auxiliary, but her plan OF con-
struction Is such that she could be transformed |
70 a cruiser with ease. She has "A long deck for
ward that would admit Of the mounting Of two /
or more 4-tnch guns, or even two B-inch guns.
fhere Is room there also for Fapid-hring guns /
OF dynamite gun, II such weapon would be /