Omaha daily bee., 1898-08-07

fresh, but experiments have shown that
sweet water can be produced at less cost
on board ships fitted for that special pur-
pose than on cruising vessels. When 1t
was definitely settled that a large fleet
would have to be maintained off the coast
of Cuba, the government fitted out a steam
ship called the Iris with the latest i'm
proved apparatus for distilling water.
Twelve evaporators, invented by an Ameri-
can naval engineer named George w. Baird,
we're placed on board and arrangements
made for an output of $1,000 gallons a day.
Careful m show that the Iris can
supply q, 900 men with water for all pur-
poses save bathing each twenty hours.
The government Sweet water squadron
as it is called by naval officers, also in
cludes q vessel formerly known as the Morse
King, and a dozen or more steam lighters,
each of which Is fitted with tanks for the
storage of distilled water With this fleet
in commission there need be no fear
that our brave bluejackets will suffer for
that greatest boon in the tropics, good
drinking water.
A Floating Machine Shop.
An article on vessels created by the ext
gencies of our war with Spain would not
be complete without mentioning the repair
ship Vulcan. Although it is now evident
that the Spanish war ships are incapable OF
doing any material damage to our vessels,
the idea Of having a floating repair shop is
still a good one. The Vulcan was formerly
the merchant steamer Chatham. Just prior
to the commencement of the war Chief Engi-
neer Melville, at the head of the engineering
department of the navy, recommended the
fitting of a floating machine shop to remain
with Admiral Simpsons fleet and repair any
A ornapaS that could mot he looked after nv
| the force on board. His recommendation
was promptly accepted, and the plans were
left to him. The Vulcan as she now is has
| no equal afloat. She is a fully equipped ma
| chine shop with plate bending rolls, punch
ing and shearing machines, lathes for turn
ing castings of nearly any size. planners,
drills and milling machines, blowers, pipe
cutters. FORCES and grindstones. There is a
| plant on board for making any possible re-
pair to a war ship, and If the necessity arose,
| even rapid-ire guns of small caliber could
be turned out by the Vulcan's working force.
| The crew numbers 200 men, of whom almost
one-half are expert machinists. Some of the
| finest engineers in the country can be found
on the ships roll. Lieutenant Commander
Ira Harris, the captain of the Vulcan, was
formerly the general manager of a large
Chicago drop forge concern, and among the
| chief engineers are Gardiner Sims, Prof.
Aldrich of the University of West Virginia,
a well known electrical expert, and Fred
erick C. Nelson, 1t is claimed by the gov
eminent that no mechanical plant in the
world is better equipped than that main
tanned on board the United States repair
ship Vulcan.
There is one truth which must occur in
reviewing the wonderful efforts made by
the government to provide our armies and
fleets with everything calculated to promote
success, and that is the normous cost. OF
the million a day said to be expended in
prosecuting the war, not the least item is
the navy and its adjuncts. Americans can
take pride to their hearts, however, in the
fact that they are teaching warfare to old
pupils. Then, again, II need not be forgotten
that Spain will pay the freight.