Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-07
EQU|PP|NG THE WAESA|PS.
Great Difficulty Experienced in Pro-
Vidlng Coal for the Vessels.
THE PURCHASE OF GOLFERS
SOAIE WERE BOUGHT BY THE
GOVERNMENT AT EXHORBITANT
PRICES-THE FRESH WATER SUP
PLY FOR BOILERS PRESENTED A
DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
DIFFICULT PROBLEM.

~
PLY FOR BOILERS PRESENTED A
DIFFICULT PROBLEM.
Washington, December 6.-An ac-
count of how the navy was equipped
to meet the emergency created by the
war is contained in the annual report
of Capt. R. B. Bradford, chief the bu-
reau of equipment, Navy Department.
Secretary Long, in his report, has
made some brief reference to the
workings of the bureau in a compli-
mentary manner, and Capt. Brad
ford's report furnishes the details OF
the operations of that important
bureau. He says it is too early TO
place on record for future guidance the
entire experience of the bureau during
the war, but it is proposed to do this
at some future time. The report goes
on to say that the demands upon the
bureau and it's subordinate branches
the naval observatory, the hydro
graphic Office, compass division, nautl-
cal almanac and electric appliances
division-occasione by the war were
very great This was essentially so
with reference to the coal supply or
the fleet. When war threatened the
bureau made every effort to procure
coaling stations near the scene OF us
probable location, directing special ef-
forts, without success, however, to the
PASSAGES about the Antilles. There
was only one coal shed at Key West
and one lighter, but eventually all the
available space there was covered with
sheds with a storage capacity Of 5000
tons. No other place near the scene
OF war was available.
AS A PREPARATION
for war the bureau had asked for and
obtained many tenders for the trans
portation and supply Of coal. When
the crucial momen came, with the ex-
ception of single Baltimore firm, all
declined to adhere to their offers on
account of war risks. The Baltimore
concern had a few schooners. The
department was in desperate straits,
and the alternative was to purchase
ships and arm and man them as trans
ports. There were few vessels avail
able for transports, and when their
owners were found they knew we'll the
necessities Of the government and gem
orally demanded exorbitant prices.
Whatever the cost, says Capt. Brad
ford, the government could least OF
all stand delay, SO five golfers were
purchased, ranging in price from $751;
600 for the Sterling to $4,000 for the
Merrimac. The first great emergency
having passed and the squedron being
relieved, additional colliers. mostly
foreign vessels, were purchased at FAR
prices, and eventually the bureau pos
sessed an efficient armed collier fleet,
with a carrying capacity OF $4,000 tons,
for use in the Atlantic. Without
these vessels it would have been inn
possible to carry on the operations
brought to a successful issue by the
fleet. The monitors were especially
HELPLESS. with their small steaming
radius, without the help OF golfers.
The assistance rendered by the Merri-
mac is historic. Capt. Bradford says
with pardonable pride that with the
exception of the single telegram from
the commander in chief, urging that
particular kind of coal only be sup
piled to the fleet, not single request
or communication concerning an ade-
uuate coal supply was received from
anv ship af1oat during the entire war;
evidence that an abundant supply was
always available. At one time there
was afoat. in steam GOLFERS at Hamp-
ton Roads, ready to sail at an hours
notice to any point desired, 10000 tons.
OF THE BEST COAL.
One lesson of the war which will be
of use to every navy in the world, the
report continues, was demonstration
that in future fresh water for boilers
must be abundantiy supplied to the
fleet by transports, just as coal is car
ried. With the exception of the Ore
gon. the distilling plants aboard our
warships. which were supposed TO be
sufficient to supply the loss in evapor-
alton to the boilers. proved to be in
adequate, owing chiefly to leaky steam
mines. 1t was more difficult to supply
fresh water to ships at Key West than
to supplv coal. The boilers of the
sbips on blockade before Santiago were
much injured for the want OF fresh
water and gave the commander-in-
chief much concern. The bureau has
heretofore bought fresh water for
steaming purposes, but that was too
expensive. During the war the bureau
paid at one time s2,067.5o for $4,000
gallons of fresh water at Tompkins-
Vile. New York, for the st. Paul, and
pro rata for other ships. Had this
water been drawn from the Brooklyn
mains and transported to the ship in
water boats it would have cost only
go thic OWL % h,Iroan