Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-10-10
AUXILIARY SHIPS ARE USELESS.
Would Require Two Years to Convert One of Them Into a Cruiser.
 Copyright, 1S97.l

NAChI<(0N helm der Crosse" the great new steam ship that has just gone into commis- sion on the transatlantic route, with great enthusiasm. This is partly due to the fact that the vessel has been named for his grandfather, and partly because it is a credit to Germany that the biggest passenger boat afoat should be built at a German yard and sailed by German line; but more than all it is because, in case of the break ing out of maritime war in which Germany should be involved, the big ship would at once become an integral part of the German navy. Like the auxiliary ships of the British navy, which, during the queens jubilee, were changed from merchant and passenger ships to armed cruisers in surprising ly short time, this new auxiliary of the German war fleet could be made avail able for the. home navy in from 24 to 36 hours.
 There is an astonishing contrast be- tween the situation with regard to the auxiliary boats of the German and the British navies and the auxiIianies of our own fighting fleet. Bearing in mind the rapidity with which foreign vessels can be changed over, the writ CT, few days ago, asked MT. Clement A. Griscom, of the American line, how long it would take to convert one of the ships of his line into fighting boat in case of need. Mr. Griscom thought moment and then said: About two years!''
 This is true of practically all the yes sells composing our auxiliary fleet, more than score and a half in number; and the fault lies, not with the mer- chant and passenger lines to which the steamers belong, but with the govern ment itself. The fact is that while each of the navigation companies in question has done it's part, Uncle Sam has neglected to provide the necessary guns, and without these the auxiliary vessels would be of no value whatever to the navy.
 These ships, which are without ar- nor and would have to remain thus un- protected, would act as commerce de stroyers in case of war. They are all fast boats, and could easily overhaul and destroy most merchant and pas senger vessels now afoat. In case of meeting between a hostile battle ship and an American commerce destroyer, the latter would very promptly show it's heels and would undoubtedly be able to escape from nine-tenths of the real fighting ships now in existence. With out guns, however, it would be out of the question to cali the auxiliaries into service, and it behooves Uncle Sam to hasten the construction of plenty of naval ordnance unless he feels certain that there is no possibility of a rupture with a great marine power.
 There are 32 vessels which are en- tered as auxiliary cruisers. Four of these belong to the American line, the New York, Paris. St. Louis and St. Paul. If ever pressed into the naval service, the Paris will carry 12 six-inch rifles, machine guns, and 6 six-pound- CTS; the New York will carry 12 six inch rifles, 4 machine guns. and six pounders; the St. Louis and the St. Paul will carry, each, six-inch rifles, machine guns, and six-pounders.
 The latest addition to the auxiliary fleet is the Plant Line steamship, La Grande Duchesse" which was launched last year. She is 404 feet long over all, and she has been built to answer the government requirements as an auxil- iary cruiser.
 aIc i,, ior.x fc4 the Atlantic coast include four belong ing to the Pacific Mail company, three to the Red D line. and nine to the New York and Cuba Mail line. On the Pa cific coast there are nine, besides sew eral on the great lakes. Although the guns necessary to render these ships effective are not now ready, they are being manufactured in leisurely sort of way at the Washington ordnance shops. As fast as pieces are finished they are to be stored at the Brooklyn, Boston, Norfolk, San Francisco and other navy yards, ready to be mounted on the auxiliary vessels at the shortest notice.
 It is not at all clear just what the de- tails of procedure would be in ease of emergency. Only once since the close of the civil war has the United States government felt the need of auxiliary ships. That occasion arose in the Har- rison administration while our little quarrel with Chih was on. The score tary of the navy promptly notified certain navigation company owning auxiliary ships that one of them might be wanted. She was offered at a ger tain valuation, which was accepted with sotne qualifications. Fortunately the trouble blew over and the. ship was turned back to her, owners, who re .ceised proper compensation for the time she was idle. ss