The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-03-15
THE AUx1r1Aa az wan TEssE1s.
. vessels sfAn Typss Available rer uuupress-
emant, Are n. fhn GoHernrnant,s service,

usett' Are ~. the ssovernsent's Service.
WASHINGTON, March 1l.-Naval militia organ
i~zations, in accordance with instructions Issued
by the department last week. are beginning to re-
port on the number OF merchant ships and steam
craft OF all kinds available for war purposes
II manned with quick.firc guns. Pennsylvania
and Maryland and somo OF the New Eng
land States report a large. number OF vessels
in readiness for jmpressment by the National
Government on receipt OF orders from the Presi'
dent. These craft vary in tonnage from tho
large ooastwisc ships to the powerful seagoinG
tugs, and all. whom properly equipped. could
render most effective service, tho officials
believe, In time Of emergency. Militia organ
~izations have been unusually active In procur-
ing the desired Information and In investi.
eating the condition aid value OF certain types
Of ships for Government use. These organiza-
tlons will DO depended on TO mar q great num-
Der of ships. except those which will form an
auxiliary fleet for operations In tho open sea.
Fast yachts have boen found innumernble. and
owners of some OF the fieotost and most
sumptuous have informed the officials that IL
required they will be willing to deliver them
TO the Government for war purposes. The big
tugs and little yachts are now being considered
with q view to forming q torpoao boat iotllla,
each being manned with q torpedo tube and two
or three six.pounders. 1t 10 proposed to utilize
n large number of heavy ocoan-soing tugs
Us improviscd rams, to be assigned exclusive
ly for harbor defence purposes.
Information so far received by the depart
ment shows that 928 vessels of all typos avail
able for impressment arc AT tho service Of the
Government. including a large number on tho
lakes, which would not under any circum-
stances be used unless It was developed that
the Eastern ports failed to present the requisite
-.--L-. ~ 49, - 49, H. lie @f
auxiliary cruisers. or ships which are engaged
in the coastwise and foreign trade and capable
Of high speed and great steaming radius. These
would DO the class manned with the guns manu-
featured at tho Washington gun factory and
sent to Join flying squadrons or to harass the
cnemy's commerce. ~.
A conference was held at the department this
afternoon between two navalmilitla officers and
some of tho officials relative to plans which are
to be perfected for preparing the. way to use the
creator number Of these ships. Efforts have
been made already to have the navy, call on
naval militia officers who are especially
we'll informed in tho duties required
Of officers in tho regular service to
have them detailed TO the auxiliaries
when the navy calls for these ships. Tho au.
thorities have discouraged this. however. and
will expect the militia to attend practically to
the second line of defence work and to conine
their labors to tho protection of the harbors
in which. tho organizations are located.
Plans are also In course of perfection
for these organizations to assume charge
OF the coast limo signal work, by which
the principal lighthouses along the coast are to
become observing and signal stations for report
ing locations Of fieots as they pass up and down
the coast and in carrying on communication
between them and the shore. In time of war
AL t- i'll Al
tirely on tho State militia. acting, how
ever. in conjunction with the crews Of the light
stations and keepers of the pigeon cotes soon TO
be established. Sanction having been given by
the Treasury to the lighthouse part Of the work.
the necessary plans are being prepared. and In
event Of war all arrangements will be roady for
placing them in prompt execution. An appro-
priation will be asked this week for meeting tho
necessary expense.