The times., 1897-12-10
INDIAN NAMES FOR CUTTERS
New Departure in the Case of
Revenue Steamers.
Launch of the Algonquin To Be Fol-
lowed by That Of the OnOndaga--
Capt Shoemaker's Idea.

The launching yesterday Of the revenue
cutter Algonquin. at Cleveland, O., by
the Treasury Department, marks the
obedience To the new order OF Secretary
Gage that such vessels hereafter shall
be given indian names. The Algonquin
IS, in fact, the first revenue cutter to bear
an Indian usme. The next vessel OF this
kind TO be launched VIII bear tue name
Onondara.
1t was Capt. Shoemaker VITO suggested
this idea which VIII undoubtedly be
popular. Heretofore, the scheme has
been 70 Iame tile cutters after Secrc-
taIies OF the Treasury, the Assistant 5 re
taries ard private secretaries, and other
distinguished peTsonages. THIS created
q kind of governmental monopoly nf Inn
mortality and 50 the new idea was iDTn.
One Of the cutters, by the way, is Iamo q
Smith, the initials not being an important
consideration. The Browns possibly would
have been in order tad 1t not been for
the innovation of Capt. Shoemaker.
II Is no; proposed to change such appro-
priat.. names IS the Bear fUr the Arctic
seas. or tte Wistaria for tie seTni-trOpical
v watsrs 81 Florida, Georgia and South Caro-
lima. Tie naming Of battlesliips Und
cruisers after States and cities wiz leave
Jha cuphonious Indian titles TO the revenue
service. The Indian name has been used
with effect by line OF steamers TO tie
south, two OF the names being the Iroquois
and the Seminole.
Capt. Shoemaker, OF the revenue cutter
service. sueaking OF the change now IN
force. said,
1t occurred TO me soon after ! took
charge OF this division that there cught
to be regular system and method IUr
naming natIOpal vessels To name a ma
tfonal vessel Smith, Jones or Brown
DID not seem TO me exactly the thing,
and / brought the matter 10 the attention
OF the Secretary of the Treasury at that
time, and suggested 10 him a number
ofnames OF Indian tribes, strictly American,
So TO speak. Ny views, however, Were
not adopted at that time, nd / took an
early opportunity to bring the matter be-
fore Secretary Gage.
Secretary Gage approved Of my sug-
gesti9n, and selected the name Algonquin
for the first vessel built and launched
under his administration. He has followed
that with another, 10 be named Oman
da ga 1t occurs To me that this carries
with IL a certain amount OF character
In the naming of vessels which viii lie
distinctive for the revenue cutter service
fn the future. ] am very glad, indeed,
that the Secretary has approved the sug-
gestions made 10 him in this regard, and
] know that it viii be a matter OF great
cOngratulation TO the officers Of the service
generally, and, 1 think, 70 the general
public.
We have already vessel in the service
named Smith: another named Sperry. The
first was named after a former Assistant
Secretary q tie Treasury, and tie later
after the private secretary OF Secretary
FolGer. ] would not advocate, or have
SO stated tc the Secretary, any change
Of name Of for instance. the Grant or
the Commodore Perry; or, if you choose.
the Corwin. These vessels have, under
The names now borne, become celebrated.
All over the country everybody knows
the Corwfn, the Grant, the Perry. and the
Pear among the vessels that have rendered
conspicuous and great ser vice.