The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-07

batteries are nearly three times as effective
III rapidity of fire as formerly. Important
deveio2ments are expected 70 follow the ar
rival of the Texas at Hampton Roads, The
Tying squadron, under command of Com
modore Schley. will then be fully organized
ment has 1or any @ oT n na' . oup for
II. Naval officials, while naturally reticent
as to orders to the squadron, admit that the
naval strategic board has determined fully
on the use to which IT is to be put
The Bureau Of Steam Engineering of the
navy department. is actively engaged IN
the work of preparing for installation OF
the new boilers that are to be put into
the old monitors that Secretary Long de-
cided several weeks ago to put in. Through
the extraordinary efforts adopted by the
bureau the officers expect they win be able
to install the boilers in about thirty days,
a task that under ordinary circumstances.
would require six months work.
AUXILIARY CRUISERS.
Two of the ships purchased by the Navy
Department from the Morgan line steamers
win be sent to the New York navy yard
and two Of them to the Norfolk navy yard.
At the navy yards such changes, as are
necessary to convert them into cruisers will
be made and the armament which will con-
sist mainly of five-inch guns will be in
stalled. In two or three weeks, the officials
believe the ships can be prepared for active
service. While the officials decline to state
the exact price paid for these vessels, it is
said that 100000 apiece would be a fair re-
Enumeration for them.
The cruiser Diogenes purchased in Eng
land the other day for the navy, is ex-
pected to leave that country this week for
New York. She is about 1850 tons burden.
1t is said that instructions have been sent
to Commander Brownson to return 10 TINS
country, and it is expected that he will
take passage to the United States on board
the American line steamer st. Paul on her
return trip next week to this country. The
st. Paul when converted into an auxiliary
q
of Commander Brownson, so that he Will
be able to carefully inspect her during her
homeward-bound voyage.
Secretary Long has recognized the valu-
able services rendered to the country and TO
the navy by Commander Adoiph Mark; the
Judge advocate of the Maine court OF in
quiry, by assigning him to command the
steam yacht Sovereign, which is now being
converted into an auxiliary cruiser at New
York. Secretary Long selected the appro-
pirate name of Solace for the Creole, which
is to be converted into hospital ship. The
lighter Salum will retain her present name,
and will be assigned to the flying squadron:
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt said last
night that he knew nothing OF the report
that the government had made an offer of
$lZ5,0C0 for the Holland submarine torpedo
boat. 1t is estimated by other officials that
in the event of war this vessel will be taken
by the United States.
Orders have been received for the imme-
date completion of the work on the pro,
tected cruiser Chicago Several hundred
mechanics will be kept at work on her until
she is ready to go into commission. The
Chicago Will be one of the most powerful
vessels of her class in the world She Will
carry four eight-inch and fourteen fVe-inch
rifles. and Il large secondary battery She
will have a speed of nineteen knots and
crew of more than 450 men. 1t is said at
the navy yard that the vessel will be ready
in about two months. Orders were also re-
ceived last night for the enlistment of a
crew for the Saturn within the next three
days.
A large delegation of Massachusetts, school
teachers who are in Washington on brief
visit was at the State, War and Navy De-
partment building this morning. The great
est object of interest to them appeared TO
be the model of the battle ship Maine, which
still stands in the corridor adjoining the Of
flee of Secretary Long.
Captain Sampsons big war fleet at Key
West will be still further strengthened IN
a day or two by the arrival of the double
turreted monitor Amphitrite, which left
Beaufort this morning for that purpose.
A telegram received at the Navy Depart
ment from the naval attache at London an
bounced that the Spanish officials have con-
tracted with Vicker's Sons, Maxim and
other European manufacturers for The
prompt delivery of 10000 stand of small
arms and the necessary ammunition.
A telegram received at the Navy Depart
ment to-day from the commanding officer
at the Mare Island navy yard showed that
the amount of damage suffered from the
earthquake shock last week is $342,OO0. Sec
rotary Long will ask Congress for a special
appropriation to make the necessary re-
pairs to the buildings and other property
damaged