The sun., 1896-06-20
eErrIyo THE NATr READY.
Our ships DO Not Intend 20 ne Caught
Nnnninr In ANY EmerEencY.

WASHINGTON, juno lD..-Fver since tho possi-
bility of trouble with England on the Venezuela
question became apparent, last autumn, the
navy has been actively preparing itself for con-
tingencics and of late its vigor has been spe
sally manifest. This is due, apparently, not to
any change in the situation OF affairs. but to
the fact that Congress, while making very lib.
cral appropriations for tho new fiscal year,
granted largo sum for repairs OF ships.
AS consequence, efforts arc apparent to
turn to account almost every available ship.
Orders have been issuod to rcpnir. on the PA.
citlc coast, first tho gunboat Bennington and
the stout old wooden craft Thets; then, In
turn, tho fno cruiser Baltimore and the gun
boats Petrol and Concord, which have all been
brought homo for tho purpose from tho Ash
attic station; then tho old.timers Ranger and
Mohicnn, still useful for service on tho Pacific
coast; then Farragut's famous flagship Hart
ford, which must, when she goes into commits
sion again, be saved from n fate like that of
Winslow,s kcarsarge; finally, the Charleston,
now on her way homo from Asia. Three Of
hose ships are still in commission, but ak more
VIII DC added, MS the result of these repairs
On the Atlantic coast work upon the Chicago
ana Atlanta VIII be pushed. but they cannot
thing suggestive. however, in the orders to
mako n new deck for the MiantOnOinoh. to re-
pair tho l'chiGh and Canonicus, and to get tho
Ncsuvins ready. The statement In regard to
the two stnglc-turrot monitors Is that they nre
needed for ilie naval nlitia but II the summer
before they arc prepared for service, they Will
be useful as harbor defenders. As to tho vc-
suvius, she has been laid up in ordinary at
League Island, but now 1t is found TINT sho
may 10 available. Her case is specially note,
worthy, because 1t was generally considered
that sho would remain for a considerable timo
out of comm ission; but whether IL is that n
new and final trial is to be given to her pncu-
matte tubes or that she is to be turned into an
ordinary torpedo cruiser, at all events she is II
candidate for prompt repairs.
admiral BunCc's command, too, is to be kept
In the best condition. Its orders have ar
ranged for the dock ing OF Its various vessels
for such cleaning and repairs as may be- needed.
iahdin being assigned to the Brooklyn yard
for that purpose, aud the Kalcigh and Amphi-
yr,e to the Norfolk yard. The Mass ichn, ,etts
has already stTengthencd his squadron, as has
also the Terror. which. however. has been in
dock to have her ruddcr area increased.
Very coon hundred Whitehead torpcdoes
the, Kcarsarge and Kentucky; but they
will be very useful for other vessels long
before the completion OF these Indeed, one
navy increase is the new torpedo touts. OF
which several will be ready for trinl, it Is
hoped, within few months. The six com
positc gunDoats are also advancing. and the
three Newport News vunhoats Will ncforc
long have their speed runs. The Texas,
thanks I" the vgor with which work has l"en
pushed upon her, is now on the verge "f COM
piction, and can bc restored TO active service AS
soon as a crow can be got together for her Size
viii greatly strengthen the squadron of Ad-
for the mnnufacture of a million rounds ~
cartridges for machine guns. which, II Is said d.
are to be supplied with Trosiorf powder.
The general commentator given to the naval
authorities for their energy in preparations for
any contingency, since last autumn. has had
a good effect in stimulating the continuance OF
this energy. while the unusual ltberality OF the
new Appropr iaton act has furnished the means
for It's exercise.