New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-18
MAY BE USED AS TROOPSHIPS.
POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENT OF THE YALE
AND THE HARVARD TO TRANS
PORT SERVICE.

The big American liners Paris and New-York.
converted into the auxiliary cruisers Yale
and Harvard. OF the United States Navy. 10
carry supplies 10 Santiago. and may DO used as
troop transports FOR tho Porto Rico expedition.
These vessels which sent out as scout
ships to Cuban waters a few weeks ago, when
the Spanish warslps daily expected. arc
at Newport News. receiving the armament
which not placed upon them when they
ware first ordered 10 or tho four American
Line fast ocean steamships under charter TO tho
Government only the St Paul armored be-
fore she was sent sea. Tho others were to havs
similar guns put aboard. and armor belt was
also to be put to protect their yitals. When
tie Harvard and the Yale came back to Newport
News II was said that they would receive their
guns and then return to scout duty in West Indian
seas Bur the fact that all the dangerous Spanish
varships are securely bottled up in Santiago Har-
Dor has rendered further scout duty unnecessary.
Owing TO the difficulty IN securing proper troop
ships for use In the new expedition, II may be de-
cded make use of these large vessels already
under tho control OF the Government; orders were
received yesterday by Chief Commissary Woodruff.
at the Army Building. in this city. 10 forward at
l2Co.0o pounds Of troop ratons. for Army use.
TO Newport News be put aboard the Harvard
and the Tale. Colonel Woodruff Immediately made
requsit.on upon the Quartermaster's Department
for transportation for this large quantity OF stores.
Including everything in the bill OF fare for soldiers
and officers
A contract made yesterday afternoon with
tho Old Dominion Steamship Company to transport
the supplies from this city and TO deliver them
aboard the Harvard and the Yale. These vessels
have carrying capacity not only for this quantity
Of rations but also for about four thousand men.
who could thus be- provided with food sufficient 10
last during the trip TO Porto Rico and period OF
time thereafter.
II was learned last evening that the supplies 10
be put aboard the cruisers TO be sent 70 San
uago they for immediate use. 1t would be
possible. however. for the vessels to return ard
take and supplies for the Porto Rico eXpedi-
ton, which may for some time
An Army officer said yesterday: These vessels
would make better transports than any OF those
chartered for the purpose and for so long yoy-
age as that to Porto Rico-l.CGo to 100 mes-they
would be far more comfortable The difficulties
or from Tampa show that some bette Eos way must
be found for handling both. The difficulty can
De solved t 3y '3K onEoe e men r rom be- sent
there readily from Camp Alger., The supplies are
there will consequently be no choking up OF rail-
road lines and no expensive rehanGi!ng OF iargs
from the phantom Spanish warships is gone, by
the ascerta inment OF the facts regardng the Meet
apPTcaenq Ss Vale or the Harvard could put up
pretty tight with their new guns and II the worst
came to the worst they would either Of them lie
able to run from hay b SyS the Nav far
possesses.
The question OF securing additional transports
was actively engaging the attention OF Major sum-
merhayes. assistant quartermastcr. YESTERDAY. He
inspected the Austrian steamship kinlon lsso tons.
bu. thought she not one be would recon-
mend He also looked at some OF the vessels Of
tho Atlantic Transport Company. the Alegnanyi
of the Atlas Line. 2igi tons; the Manitoba. 2,l2I
tons, owned by Bucknall Nophews. ard the Phla-
dcphia, 2j25 tons. OF the Red D Line. What
want" ne said. are such vessels as those OF tho
Atlantic Transport Company. II they can get
American registers. They are ntted up 70 carry
stock. and have ventilated quarters so that the
men who go in them will suffer no inconvenience
and discomfort from having the horses and mules
on board. With what have been secured the Cow
crpment wants no less than fifty transports and
there is a large opportunity for owners who are
wiling 10 charter their vessels 1T reasonable
figure, as the Government assumes all war risks,
and Will pay full value II the vessel is required
long enough to warrant her purchase. instead OF
returning her at the expiration OF the chartered
time But want the vessels right away.