The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-15
TWO MORE WARSHIPS.
The Anazonas and Admiral Ebre-
nall Now Belong to U. S.

WASI1ANCT TON, March 1.-THE re-
ported sale to the United States of the
two Brazilian cruisers Amazonas and
Admiral Abrenall, now receiving their
finishing touches in an English ship
yard, was confirmed here this after
noon. 1t is learned also that Spain
has not secured the O'Higgins, and that
Chile Will not sell her to Spain. II is
said, furthermore, that Spain cannot
purchase ships from either Chile or
the Argentine Republic
Orders have been sent to Commodore
Howell, commanding the European
station, to send a force of men from
the San Francisco to take possession
of and hoist the United States flag on
the Brazilian ship that is ready to go
into commission at Newcastle. This
will prevent any difficulty in cafe hos
tlities should break out, as the ship
would be under the flag, but lying in
a friendly harbor.
The two Brazilian ships viii be ex-
tremely valuable additions to the
United States navy in either war or
peace, in the opinion of Secretary Long,
who acknowledges that they have been
bought by the United States. They
are steel sheathed and coppered with
twin screws The Amazonas is rated
at 1860 tons displacement, with an IN
dica1ed horse power under natural
drauyht of ZOO. which is calculated
to develop twenty knots speed Thus,
while the ship is about the size of the
Charleston. she is much faster. Her
armament is also more formidable, not
so much in calibre. for the main bat
terry is made up OF six six-inch guns
but these guns. as well as the four and
SeVea-tenths inch guns are of what is
knows as fifty calibres length. giving
them an unusual range and power In
addition to this. they have ten six
FOUNDER quick firing guns. four one
FOUNDERS. four Maxim machine guns
and TWO boat or field guns The torpedo
tubes are three in number The coal
capacity is so tons, giving her an eff
fective steaming radius of 5000 knots,
a most valuable feature. inasmuch as
il would enable the ship TO cross and
recross the Atlantic without coaling.
Such vessel used as a commerce
destroyer would be vastly more ef-
fective than what appears to be more
powerful crafts. because of their ability
TO get along on long cruises without
touching in at neutral ports to coal,
and thus exposing themselves to cap
, ture. The cruisers carry no armor in
the ordinary sense. but their machinery
is protected from the fire of guns by
an arched steel deck just below the
water line. varying in thickness from
one and two-tenths to three and five
terths inches. The battery has an
unusual train. being arranged to fire
three ahead and three astern of the
principal guns.
TIE PURCHASE CONFIRMED.
LONDON. March 1.-THE Brazilian
Minister confirms the report that the
warships Arnazonas and Admiral ABB
renal have been sold to the United
States. The contract is to be signed TO-
day. and the Brazilian officers and
crew on board the Amazonas Will re-
turn to Brazil by the next mail steamer
sailing for that country. The Press
Association says that Spain has pur-
chased the battieship O'Higgins. built
by the Armstrong; fer Chile, but the
Chilean Charge d'Affaires does not con-
firm the report He says a Chilean
crew for the vessel is expected here
next week to take the O'Iiiggins to
Chile.
ADMIRAL BUNCE PLEASED.
NEW YORK. March 1.-THE Bra
lillian Minister'S confirmation of the
purchase by the United States of two
Brazilian warshins was handed to
Rear Admiral Bunce at his quarters