The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-24
Contracts to BE Let for Immediate
Construction of Torpedo boats and
TOrpedO-BOat Destroyers.
TEN GOOD REVENUE CUTTERS
TO BE USED AS NAVAL PICI<ETs FoR
THE ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
work of the War Department--Oh-
servatiOn Balloons suggested
Army ReOrganixa tiOn Bill.

WASHINGTON, Mdfcn Ej.--1nc navy De-
partment took the most decisive steps to-
day toward defensive preparations for
emergency that has been made since the
squadron was centered at Key West. The
orders to-day bring into service the eight
single turreted monitors used during the
civil war for service as coast defense ships.
They have been lying for some time at the
League Island navy yard at Philadelphia.
Secretary Long issued orders that the Cats
kill and Lehigh proceed to Boston and the
Nahant and Jason to New York. The other
monitors the Manhattan, Mahopac. Mon
tauk and Canonicus, will remain at Phia-
delphia, and the work of preparing them
for service will begin Immediately. The
monitors ordered to Boston and New York
will proceed under their own steam, as they
are good sea boats and their engines are in
fair condition, capable of a speed of five to
seven knots an hour. Orders concerning
the four monitors remaining at Philadelphia
direct that they shall be completed and
ready for commission within the next thirty
days In order to do this three of them are
to be given new boilers, ana Secretary Long
approved orders for these boilers at a cost
of $25 600 each.
Secretary Long also determined to-day to
order the double turreted monitors Puritan
and Terror to Key West where they wiz
reinforce the squadron in those waters. ana
take the place of the battle ships Massae
chusetts and. Texas, recently withdrawn
from the squadron. 1t was stated at the
Navy Department that this move was in
accordance with programme previously
agreed on, although this programme has
not been announced heretofore. The Puri-
tan, by many experts, is regarded as the
most formidable fighting machine in the
navy This last move takes from New York
city what has thus far been regarded as her
chief vessel reliance for harbor defense, and
the monitors Nahant and Jason will now
supply the place of the Terror While there
is vast difference between the old and the
new type of those peculiar naval engines
of destruction yet they are essentially the
same, and naval officers say that it is q.
great mistake to believe the effectiveness
of the old monitors is past.
CAN STILL DO GOOD WORK.
The monitors now brought into commits
sion took part in the fall of Charleston. In
recent years they have been somewhat over
shadowed by the fine cruisers and battle
ships of the new navy but the Navy De-
partment never has lost sight of them as
effective coast defense vessels in time OF
need Monthly reports have been made on
them and these show they are well equipped
for the special service they are now called
on to perform They have two fifteen-inch
guns. mounted in revolving turret. The
turrets are in perfect condition and the me-
chanical devices which operate the turrets
are in good working order throughout. The
guns, while not of the latest type, are ef-
fective for heavy solid shot.
The fact that they will proceed under
their own steam from Philadelphia to Bos-
ton indicates the confidence Of naval au-
thorities in their seaworthiness. In heavy
sea they are completely awash, save the
turret, but it is said that this is an advan-
tage rather than otherwise, and that even
in this condition they can make some five
to seven knots an hour. There is no inten-
don Of utilizing them otherwise than as
harbor defense boats. Even in this latter
character the naval officials are fully con-
scious Of their defects, but are satisfied
that they will prove adequate for the lirni-
ted defensive purpose to which they are as
signed. The Catskill and Lehigh will UNDER
go some additional repairs when they ar
rive at Boston. and those going to New
York may also require some additional
work there.
Another important step in the prepara-
tions for defense has been practically de-
cided upon by the Navy Department. Since
it has been demonstrated that 1t will be inn
possible for this government to obtain from
abroad any considerable number of war ves-
sells of any class, the Navy Department has
had under consideration the question of
building a number of torpedo boats and tor
pedo boat destroyers. Investigation has dis
closed the fact that vessels of either class
1,a Htafl ff1i
but the exigencies of the case are such that
a conclusion has been about reached, 1t is
said, to give American builders contracts
for a number of these vessels. Only such
builders however, as are known to have
the necessary facilities will be intrusted
with the work, which. If the present pur-
nose Is carried into effect. will be pushed
forward with the greatest possible speed.
The number to be constructed has not been
decided on, but 1t seems likely that con-
tracts will be given for a considerable num-
ber of each class.
REVENUE CUTTERS TO BE USED.
In addition to its other preparations for
possible trouble, the Navy Department to-
day took steps towards utilizing ten of the
sea-going revenue cutters Sor use along the
Atlantic coast. Captain Shoemaker. chief
of the revenue-cutter service. conferred
with Assistant Secretary Roosevelt during
the day on the plans for turning over tiese
cutters to the navy. They will be first sent
to Norfolk. where additional guns will be
mounted. and then will proceed TO Key
West and become part of the squadron
there. Their main service however viii be
as naval pickets. chain OF these fleet cut
ters being maintained outside Of the cruisers
and battle ships, The revenue-cutter serv-
ice now has ready for instant and active