The San Francisco call., 1898-03-15
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Call Office, Riggs House,
 WaShin otnn March 1A

4 weeks negotiations closed to-day
 by the triumphant purchase by the
 Navy Department in London of the two fine cruisers built and building at E,Iswick for the Brazilian Govern ment. Possibly the officials took more measure in closing up the business in this manner because of the knowledge that Spanish agents had been striving 10 secure these very ships, and that to Spain. it is said, they would be of much greater value in case of trouble than to the United States. The next queS- ton is how to get the ships home, and that has not yet been settled. according to the Secretary of the Navy
 The United States flag will be hoisted over the new ships within week probably, and just as soon as the crew can be put aboard the AmaZonas will start for the United States The other vessel will follow at the earliest pos sfble moment The terms of the sale are secret.
 The availability of the two Brazilian ships was first brought to the attention of the Navy Department by MT. Laine, agent of the Maxim Nordenfeldt Com pany, who was authorized to dispose of these ships building at Elswick and two others in course of construction in France Mir. Laine said to-day that the two ships purchased would be most desirable acquisition to the Amer ican navy, as they were the latest ana best products of the famous Arm strong yards. One of the ships is com plete in every respect, has her coal supply and ammunition on board, and steam can be raised at any time There will be no trouble in bringing this ship across. as an adequate force from the local yards can be secured for the serv- ice. It is said the coal and ammuni- tion on board passed with the sale to inc United States. The ammunition Is not of the kind in use by the American navy. so that the supply of ammunition is a necessary adjunct to the new chins The other ship has been launched. but it will take some time 10 make her ready for sea. MT. Laine believes, however, that there will be no diffic11ltv in bringing her over immedi- ately if it is desired to make the move without delay, as the hull or the ship is so well along that she could De lowed and her own sail power utilized for the trip across.
 The two Brazilian ships will be ex- +ren,eIv valuable additions to the United States navy in either war or neace in the opinion of Secretary Long, who acknowledges they have been bought by the OQlleu oldtCo- iliOJ ca V steel sheathed and coppered With twin screws. The AmaZonas is rated at 36O0 tons displacement, with an indicated horsepower, under natural draft, or 1000. which is calculated to develop twenty knots speed. Thus, while the ship is about the size of the Charleston she is much faster. Her armament Is also much more formidable-not so much in caliber, for the main battery is made up of six 6-inch guns. but tness guns, as well as the 4.7-inch guns, are of what is known as 50-1 caliber length; giving them an unusual range ana power In addition to this they nave ten 6-pounder quick firing guns, four l. pounders, four Maxim machine guns and two boat or field guns. The tor pedo tubes are three in number The coal capacity is $50 tons. giving her an effective steaming radius of 5000 knots, a most valuable feature, inasmuch as it would enable the ship to cross and recross the Atlantic without coaling. Such a vessel used as a commerce de- stroyer would be vastly more effective than what appears to be more powerful craft, because of her ability to get along on long cruises without touching in at neutral ports to coal and thus ex- posing her to capture.