The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-22
BREAK in SICARD'S FLEET
BATTLE SHIP TEXAS SENT NORTH.
AND OTHER VESSELS TO FOLLOW.
First Order for the Formation of the
Navy Advertising for Recruits

WASHINGTON, March 1-The armv ana
navy preparations are continuing without
interruption, although they have now be-
come so regular as to lapse into routine on
gigantic scale. No further purchases of
war ships were concluded to-day and the
negotiations are not assuming a promising
aspect, except in showing that the United
States can command the market as against
Spain. Secretary Long to-day changed the
names of the recently purchased Brazilian
cruisers He issued an order that the Ama-
zonas hereafter shall bear the name of New
Orleans, in honor of the principal city or
Louisiana. Telegrlphic instructions were
sent to the naval officer in command of the
vessel, who will take immediate steps to
carry them into effect New Orleans was
chosen as the name of the war ship ac-
quired from the sister republic Of South
America for the reason that Louisiana Is
one of the very few States of the Union not
represented in the havy at this time. There
was quite q contest among several other
cities to have the new war ship named in
their honor. Albany, N. Y; Providence r.
L., and Buffalo, N. Y, advancing their
claims quite strenuously. Later in the day
Secretary Long rechristened the cruiser
Abrouall and hereafter she will be known
as the Albany in honor of the capital OF
the Empire State.
According to orders to naval officers is
sued by the Navy Department to-day, the
battle ship Maine is still in existence. All
least two of the orders would seem to COM
vey that impression. They read as follows:
Lieut.. A. w. Catlin, United States marine
corps, detached, Maine, and home: Lieut.. G.
f. w. Holman, detached, Maine, home and
wait orders" 1t is presumed that the ILL
fated battle ship will not be stricken from
the naval register until after it has been
finally established beyond the possibility OF
doubt that the shattered hull cannot be
raised and reconstructed into at least
semblance of her former self. Although
there is scarcely ground for the hops that
the vessel can be raised and restored TO the
navy the department will not abandon its
efforts in that direction until the wreckers
now at work on it report that it is impossi-
ble
IN NEED OF GUNS.
The navy has particular need of first
class guns at this time and would regard the
recovery of the main battery of the Maine
as consummation devoutly to be wished.
Although there is not much prospect OF
raising the Maine with it's reported broken
backbone, there is good reason to believe
from the reports of the divers that many,
If not all Of the guns, may be recovered
eventually from the wreck and put in places
where they may be able to render good
service. The Navy Department received a
preliminary report to-day from one of Its
agents who is at Havana watching the
progress of the wreckng. 1t is understood
that this refers mainly to the technical
work Of salvage and not to the question of
cause. The judge advocate generals Of
flee, where the report was received, will not
disclose the details of the report.
The battle ship Texas started northward
from Key West to-day. thus settling the
question as to the formation of a second
squadron at or near Hampton Roads. 1t
is expected the Massachusetts will follow
in a few days. but the final orders for that
move have not been made.
Lieutenant Commander J. E. Pillsbury.
commanding the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius,
which has just arrived at the Washington
navy yard from Florida, was at the Navy
Department to-day, in conference with the
officials regarding the future of his unique
craft. The pneumatic gear used in operat-
ing the dynamite tubes is undergoing re-
pairs, which it is calculated will take about
two weeks time. 1t is considered probable.
in view of the speed power of the Vesuvius,
that she may be attached to the so-caIled
flying squadron, which, II Is alleged, Is soon
TO assemble at Hampton Roads. According
to present plans. the squadron to be organ
lied at Hampton Roads will consist or the
battle ships Massachusetts and Texas and
the cruisers Brooklyn, Minneapolis and CO.
lumbia- The Vesuvius would be perfectly
at home in such company, being faster than
either of the battle ships and nearly the
equal in speed of the pennant holders, the
Minneapolis and Columbia
HOWELL MAY COMMAND
Although no orders to that effect have
been given, it is generally believed In naval
circles that Commodore Howell will be as
signed to the command of the new fleet.
He was recently in command OF the Euro
pean squadron which has just been aban-
doned by recall to the United States OF
the three vessels comprising 1t - the San
Francisco Helena and Bancroft. commo-
dore Howell is now on the San Francisco
and will accompany her on her cruise to the
United States as the convoy of the cruiser
New Orleans, formerly the Amazonas, OF
the Brazilian navy. 1t is expected that these
vessels will soon start from England on
their voyage across the Atlantic ocean, and
the probabilities are that they will make
Hampton Roads their destination.
The sailing Of the coast-defense vessels
Monadnock and Monterey to-day from San
Diego for San Francisco has been reported
to the Navy Department. The two ships
have been in lower California waters during
the past winter, engaged in target and other
practice, and their departure for the Golden
Gate is said to be in accordance with the
usual custom each spring of sending them
there for any repairs which may be found
necessary. The preseEce OF these vessels ~