The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-08
BrOvvnson, Davis, Train and Emory to
Have Charge of Eel sud, Eel Rio,
lei NOrte md lei Sol.
NO IMPORTANT MOVEMENTS
DETERMINED ON FOR KEY WEST OR
HAMPTON ROADS FLEETS.
Ram Ixatahdin Ready for Service and
New Naval Rating.

WASHINGTON, April THE military
branches of the government steadily con-
tinue the work of preparation for pos
| sible emergencies. this work, however, be-
| ing now principally confined to completing
matters heretofore begun. No new schemes
have as yet been entered upon. The most
important action taken by the Navy De-
partment to-day was the selection of COM
manding officers for the vessels recently
purchased from the Morgan line. These are
the magnificent ocean steamers Ell Sud, Ell
Rio, Ell Norte and Ell Fol, and the officers
to whom they have been assigned are Conn
mander William II. Brownson, now abroad
engaged in purchasing the ships and sup
plies; Commander Charles H. Davis Com
mander Charles j. Train and Commander
VIM. H. Emory. Orders to these officers will
be issued tomorrow
No new ships were purchased to-day, but
the department has directed the board to
select two vessels for distilling ships and
one collier. The Navy Department was to-
| day informed that the States Of Maine,
New Hampshire, Alabama and Texas are
taking preliminary steps for the formation
of naval militia. The gunboat Machias to-
day sailed from Boston to join Captain
| SIMPSONS fleet at Key West.
| An order was issued esta blishing a new
| naval rating, that Of chief electricians and
| electricians of the first and second classes,
the pay being $50 $40 and $35 per month,
| respectively.
In the War Department matters have as
sumed normal condition, everything being
in readiness for any conditions which may
arise. Reports received show that up to this
time there has been recruited 800 men of
the 1000 needed to fill the two artillery
regiments recently authorized by Congress.
Secretary Alger has made additional al
lotment of $4,000 for the use of the Ord
nance Bureau, the money to be spent for
ammunition and projectiles
1t was pointed out at the Navy Depart
ment to-day that an advantage will accrue
to the United States by a short postpone
ment of radical action, since it will assure
the safety of recently purchased war ships,
the delivery of ordnance material now
af1oat and the departure from what would
be neutral ports of several other vessels
recently acquired for the navy. The New
Orleans and her convoy. the San Fran
cisco, are expected to reach New York
Saturday or Sunday next. They are pro-
ceeding leisurely and it has been caicu-
lated that it would take them about four
teen days to make the trip. 1t is under
Guiding ammunition and general ordnance
stores. Consequently the naval officials
will be relieved when they arrive at their
destination. 1T is also expected that the
cruiser Topeka, formerly the Diogenes,
and the torpedo boats Somers and Manly,
recently acquired by purchase in Europe,
and at English ports at last accounts, will
have cleared for the United States before
Monday next and so have put themselves
out of the danger of detention in case of
a declaration of war
While making it very plain that the Navy
Department hereafter in case of war, would
not make public any important movements
determined upon for the big fleets, the Off
Gals did consent to say this morning that
the Detroit and Marblehead, which left the
squadron at Key West yesterday had not
received any important orders from the de-
partment. 1t is said that they have left the
Meet probably only for patrol duty along the
coast. 1t was said by the officials to-day
that nothing had yet been received regard
ing the mishap to the Cincinnati, which ran
into the mud at Key West.
Wo OF the officers of the Inflated battle
nents, as shown by the naval orders pub
llshed by the department this morning.
IN his devotion to the men of the vessel,
has been assigned to the Cincinnati, which
is now with Captain Simpsons North At
lantic squadron. Lieut. G. p Blow, who
had been ordered to the Mayf1ower, has been
detached from that vessel and has been
given promotion, being assigned to the
command of the tug Wilmot, recently ac-
CURED by the government by purchase.
The Navy Department is Informed of the
departure of the gunboat Wheeling from
Union, b.. c., to-day, for Dyea, Alaska,
The Wheeling has been in use during a por-
ton of the past winter by the officials of
Alaska in tour of inspection and will now
be detailed to assist in transporting a party
of experts from the Geological Survey who
are 10 make Investigations regarding the
gold fields and other resources of Alaska
The department is also informed of the ar
rival of the Maple at Norfolk.