New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-15
A AUXILIARY CRUISER BOARD.
VESSELS AVAILABLE FOR WAR PUR-
POSES CONSIDERED.
THE MEMBERS BEGIN THEIR WORK N THIS
C1TY-THE ST. LOUIS. TIE NEw-YoRK AND
OTHER MERCHANT VESSELS AND
NUMBER OF TUGBoATs INSPECTED.


NUMBER OF TUGBoATs INSPECTED.
Practical steps were taken yesterday in choos-
ing merchant vessels for equipment and use as
auxiliary cruisers TO aid in naval operations In
case Of war Under orders from the Navy De
partment. the Special Board on Auxiliary Cruis-
ers convened in this city. II Is composed or
Captain Frederick Rodgers of the Naval Board
Of Inspection and Survey; Lieutenant-Com-
Inander ]. D. j. Kelley Chief Engineer a. f.
Dixon Assistant Naval Constructor J. c. Tow
resy and Lieutenant Nathan Sargent The
Board met in the Hayemeyer Building no. 20
Cortlandt-st.. yesterday morning and organ
tied by choosing Captain Frederick Rodgers as
president. Lieutenant Sargent as recorder and
acknowledgements Kelley as adviser
After a brief session the members Of the Board
separated to inspect some Of the vessels offered
to the Government. list OF about forty Of
which had been prepared At the head Of this
list are the American Line steamships St Louis
and New-York which are in port. These were
visited and the arrangements which can be
made FOR arming and equpping them were con-
sldered The St Louis had just arrived from
Newport News where she had been in drydock.
All the members Of the Board made a careful
inspection Of her. They also visited the New
York. and two OF them remained on board for
luncheon after the inspection.
After making number OF other inspections
the members again assembled yesterday after
noon in the Army Building in Whitehai'-st
The rooms OF the Supervisor Of the Haroor oi
New-York. on the eighth floor, were placed al
the disposal Of the Board, and large number
Of vessels which be armed FOR emergency
use were considered Captain Rodgers said al'er
the meeting: I'VE will make nothing pupHc III
regard to our conclusions but VIII FORWARD our
recommendations to the DEPARTING mt at Wash
ington. 1t Will probably take us two OF .i'ee
davs to conclude our work. Many offers have
been received from steamship compaheS' anu
we will carefully consider them all
Have YOU ANYTHING to do with the armament
of tho vessels that may be selected?' Captain
Rodgers was asked.
THAT IS 4 matter for the Navy Department
replied the captain we will make careiui IN
snections and decide what steamships are avail
able 20 auxiliary cruisers. what tugs can ne
ooDvered into rarls. what Yachts are in condl'oh
20 be used as torpedo boats. and what o'hei
vessels may be available as transports.
4 large number OF owners OF vessels have
nlaced them at the disposal Of the Government
and long list, is ready for selections 10 De Ild4e
on the big ocean liners o-inch suhS can w
placed and on smaller ones f-ihcn sullH'
cor,o ~ tho artillery necessary for 1rllnS theIl
is already at the Navy Yard. -,
Iate Yesterday afternoon members OF the
Board inspected several ocean going tugs now IN
tho harbor a large number of yachts nave
been offered" said a member OF the BOARD anu
q roultitudc of small Graf; Of all descriptions
OF course under the grant 20 the American Line
We have the right 70 take their vessels whenever
they are needed. and their armament can De put
on hoard with great promptness. or business
win nroceed with all possible dispatch ana upon
its conclusion mere the Board VIII return 10
washington No worn-out vessels viii be ac-
oepted and a fine fleet can be made ready III
hurry II necessity requires.
a, the office OF the International Navigation
Company II was said yesterday by james a.
Wright ir vice-president Of the American Line
thaf the Government had not yet taken any Of
their vessels for the auxiliary navy. Ny wright
said: The St Louis is now taking on her cargo
and will sail as usual on Wednesday. she VIII
rot be held here far as We know. II Is true
TIA, we have been informed unOffcially that our
vessels would be required in the event Of war
and they would be ready at any time. ours Is
an American company. and the vessels are AT
the disposal Of the Cover nment whenever there
is a demand for them. The 81. Louis and the
St Paul were built under the supervision OF
United States naval experts. and are con-
structed with a view to being used in emer-
gency The visit Of the Board 10 the New-N ork
and ST Louis does not mean that our vessels are
to be taken at once by the Government II has
had men looking over our ships for the last three
weeks Plans and all the details OF each vessel
of the Navy Department atWashington and have
been there ever since the vessels were built"
r. A. c. Smith. Of the New-York and Cuba
Mail Steamship Line. in speaking Of the visit
OF the Board 10 the vessels II that line. said We
will give the Government as many OF our boats
boats that would be available. four Of which are
now in port