Evening star., 1898-03-19
THE VESUVIUS HERE
Arrival After Running Up From Jack
sonville.
had BEEN NOWHERE NEAR KEY west
Absurd Rumor About Bringing Re-
port Of Board Of Inquiry.
REPAIRS TO BE ABE

upper deck, the United States dynamite
gun cruiser Vesuvius tied up at the navy
yard docks shortly before IL O'Clock this
morning. The docking was witnessed by
crowd Of several hundred persons, who
had gone down to the navy yard to witness
the arrival Of the dynamite boat There
were all classes and conditions represented,
and even some of the aborigines or their
descendants were present. They grunted
approval at the sight Of the boat.
Lieutenant Commander J. E. PilIsbury,
the commanding officer in charge of the
Vesuvius, personally superintended the
teing up of the vessel. The crowd was no
little disappointed when it found that the
latch string of the Vesuvius was to be
hung on the inside. The boat was not
brought directly up to the landing, but
to float, so that 1t could not be reached.
The patriots did not have a chance to see
the fittings Of one of Uncle Sans freak
defenders, or pat the guns approvingly on
the back. The latter were like war dogs,
wfose teeth are missing, however, for they
are at the present minus some of the i'm
portant parts which render them formida-
BILE to an enemy. The stars and stripes
foated astern.
Lieut.. Rohrer. who is stationed at the
navy yard, was present when the Vesuvius
aIrived, as the representative of Admiral
Norton, the commandant of the yard
Lieut.. Gem. Pillsbury while directing the
operations of docking the ship was in un-
dress uniform. When the work was COM
pleted he disappeared below for a few
minutes. He reappeared attired in full
dress uniform, including cooked hat The
dingy was manned by a couple of sailors
and with flag flying at the stern the officer
was rowed into one of the slips.
On landing he repaired Immediately to
the Office of the commandant, followed by
a crowd of small boys. He remained clos
eted with Admiral Norton few minutes,
ana then returned to the Vesuvius, where
his uniform was again changed.
Star reporter ventured on board the
Vesuvius, but was told that strict orders
had been issued by the commanding officer
that no visitors would be permitted on
board. While the gang plank was run out
the shore end stuck several feet in the
air and was guarded by sailors. These
cerberi in blue would not permit any one
to pass, and even some other bluejackets
In the yard who were in uniform were not
permitted to pass.
Lieut.. Com. Pfllsbury's Account.
After Lieut.. Commander Pillsbury had
reported to the commandant he was seen
by a reporter He stated that the ship had
left Jacksonville Friday afternoon and that
the voyage up had been uneventful. He
declared that the Vesuvius had not been
nearer to Key West than 400 or 500 miles,
I'VE were down ON the coast, looking out
for filibusters, and came to Washington
foy few repairs" he said. He stated that
he did not know how long the ship would
remain here. but supposed for two weeks
probably. He had no Idea, he said, what
the next orders would be. The idea that
Lieut.. Mark had been brought to Washing
ton or the report of the board Of inquiry
was secuted.
IT have beer at sea for several days."
tho officer said, land have no news what
ever. The trip was devoid of interest,"
He declared that he was pleased with the
working Of his vessel. Cedar Point was
not Indian Head, as was stated, and the
beat remained there over night, as 1t was
thought best not to bring her up the river
after nightfall. The trip was resumed this
navy yard without the aid Of pilot
The fact that an officer was dropped in
boat and put ashore before the Vesuvius
was docked was not regarded as signif-
ship may have been considered mysterious,
1t was stated positively that they were not
out of the ordinary, and that the boat had
come here simply TOR repairs.
Work to Be. Done.
When the ship left Leagus Island navy
yard several months ago work on her dy-
Mantle guns was interrupted. The pneu-
matte machinery by which these are oper-
atsd was not completed. They did not have
the valve gear. which is one of the most
essential parts. In chasing filibusters these
guns would not be needed so they remain
ed unfinished. Since than affairs have
taken on a different complexion, and 1t is
deemed necessary that everything be put
In working order. Orders have bean issued
to the eject that work on the vessel at the
navy yard must be finished in fifteen days.
Admiral Norton. commandant OF the navy
yard, stated to the reporter that the We
suvius had come here simply for repairs.
He said that she would be fitted with two
rapid-fire guns. He ridiculed the report
that the ship had brought Lieut.. Mark
hers, and said there was not an iota of
truth In 1t. He said in answer to a Ques-
ton that one of the Norfolk boats had
taken shipment Of shells to Norfolk Nom
day. He said in explanation that 1t was
NOT an unusual occurrence and had no spo-
cial meaning whatever.
The tug Triton went down to Indian
Head this morning with some ammunifion-
but her movements had nothing to do with
the coming OF the Vesuvius, 1t was stated
The Vesuvtus Is an extremely fast boat
being capable OF making q knots an hour
The officers and sailors aboard of her this
morning were sunburnt, showing the ef-
fects OF the tropical sun upon them, The
list OF officers is as follows: Lieutenant
Commander j. e. Pillsbury, officer In conn
mand; Lieuts. William e. Sewell and John
J. Quimby; Ensign william X. Harrison.
Pessed Assistant Engineer Frank w Bart.
lett and Passed Assistant Surgeon James
F. Legs.
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