The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-14

spection and survey; Capt. O'Neill, chief
of the ordnance bureau; Lieut. Sar-
geant, recorder of the board OF 1nspec-
ton, and Lieut.. Peters, of the naval IN
telligence bureau. Lieut.. Commander
]. D. Kelley and Naval Constructor
Towresey, the latter now on duty at
Cramps ship yards, were expected, but
their orders to attend had evidently
arrived too late to permit them to do
so. Each of the bureau chiefs present
was able to give the board some infor-
nation incident to work that may be
required to fit out any ships that
might be obtained.
Several members Of the board, as
originally appointed to look into the
matter, are unable to leave the city at
the present time, so it was determined
that a special board of which Capt.
Rodgers will be president, should be
designated to proceed to New York to-
night to undertake the work in hand.
An office will be opened at 26 Court
landt street, New York city, tomorrow
morning, at which owners and agents
for ships will be invited to make their
proposals for turning over to the navy
such vessels as are of value for con-
version into par purposes. The naval
officials say there will be no difficulty
experienced in obtaining all vessels
that are desired. as there are hundreds
i
of the naval intelligence Office, the de-
partment keeps in close touch with the
construction of all crafts that could be
utilized in the event of hoStilitieS, and
Just now it has a record of forty such
ships of all sizes and classes which will
be inspected and examined if their
owners desire to part with them. A
number of these are vessels which
have been constructed under the sub
In carrying the mails.
All Kinds of Vessels.
The vessels to be examined will in
clude all classes, from liners like the
ST. Paul to ocean-going tugs, which
can be of very material service for
number of purposes. Tonnage, draft,
speed, conditions of boilers and ma
chinery and other attributes will fig
ure in the thorough inspection which
will be undertaken by the board be-
fore any chartering or purchasing is
recommended. Both the ordinance bu-
reau and that engaged in the work Of
construction and repair are ready to
take their part in fitting out and
equipping such vessels as may be ac-
Quired.
At the Washington gun factory there
are now in various stages of conStruc-
able character on which work is be-
ing done night and day with view to
their early completion. No new guns
are being started, but the entire efforts
of the factory are devoted to finish
ing those now under way. A naval
officer said there will be enough Of
fair armament for probably thirty or
more auxiliary cruisers should such a
large fleet be found necessary to sup
n1emPnt the reSIllar warShiDS
The gunboat Machias, which has
just arrived at Norfolk from the Ash
attic station by way of the SueZ canal,
has been found to be in fair shape as
a reaSult of the examination by the
naval inspection board. A thorough
overhauling will be unnecessary in the
present instance, and she will be sent
to Boston, where all necessary repairs
can be made to her in about twelve
days.
The ordering of the Helena and Ban
croft, now on the European station,
to the United States will leave Admiral
Howell, commanding that station, with
but one vessel, viz: the SanFrancisco.
No explanation for the action is
vouchsafed by the officials of the navy
department, and Secretary Long, when
asked today, declined to say anything
about the step further than that the
two ships had been ordered home.
WASHINGTON, March 13-Secre-
tary Long tonight made the statement
that. the matter of the purchase of the
two Brazilian ships had not been set
tied.