The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-04-12
WAR SHIPS SAFE.
New Orleans and San
Francisco at Halifax.
HAD STORMY PASSAGE
ACROSS ATLANTIC.
New Purchase Not a Particularly
Swift Boat.
SAN FRANCISCO STOOD THE TRIP
In GOOD SHAPE.

Rev Orleans Got Much the Worst of It
The Ships Landed at halifax to learn
About the Crisis-wnl Coal as Rapidly
| as Possible and Proceed at Once to
New York-OfHcers, Entertained at the
| English Stronghold.
Halifax, n. s., April 11.-Great excite
ment prevailed this morning when The
citadel signal station announced that two
| large American men-of.war were ap-
preaching the harbor. All sorts OF rumors
| were quickly circulated concerning the
arrivals at this date, when the United
States and Spain are ready to fly into one
another's teeth. The ships proved to be
| the San Francisco and the New Orleans,
| formerly the Amazonas which were re-
| Gently purchased from the Brazilian gov
eminent by the United States. Both
ships are from London and they were out
fifteen days They left7on March 27th,
and during the entire voyage did not re-
ceive single word in reference to the
war No doubt much uneasiness prevailed
on board owing to this fact, and besides,
the ships were both short handed.
Tho reason given for calling here was
that the vessels were short of coal, but
there is no doubt that something more
serious than that prompted Commander
Howell to make this port. Without any
thing definite being known as to the
action of Spain and the United States,
there was much anxiety as to whether the
ships would not be both taken short
handed by Spanish fiotilla and at a big
disadvantage. By calling at Halifax In
structions could be obtained as to the
course to be pursued in case OF war and
the part to DO played in the event Of such
q condition of affairs prevailing. Conn
modore John a. Howell. who had his
pennent flying from the malnnast on the
San Francisco, was seen by the Associated
Press reporter but declined to answer any
questions as to the possibility of the ships
being ordered to join the flying squadron.
They will both coal as rapidly as possible,
and proceed to New York tomorrow.
There both vessels will be supplied with
stores and get their full complement OF
men. AT the present time, the crew OF
the San Francisco number $50 mn, While
the New Orleans has but 1875. Both num-
hers will be doubled before the destroyers
are ready TO engage in battle. The New
~ oh hos frnT
Brazil by the United States. She was
built by Sir William Armstrong at
g ia gesend, where her crew was placed on
board by the San Francisco. She is $500
tons displacement and is said to be of 20
knots speed, +, This, however, has been
found to be an exaggeration. as the ship
can only make about IA 1-2 or 10 knots
under forced draught. Under economical
conditions, she steams between II and IL
knots She carried six six inch guns, four
AZ inch and a large secondary battery.
she also has two fighting tops with quick
| firing guns. Her loading, firing and
hosting gear il oil worked by electricity,
and she has the most approved range
finders On board. Her officers are:
| Lieutenant commander, A. 2. Nazro;
lieutenant, M. Johnston; ensiens, W. D.
Mac Donali, W. j. Manion; p. A. sur
Qeon, A. ". Dunbar; p. A. engineer, L.
| D. Miner; first lieutenant, q. s. NJ. e.,
| g. Barnett; acting boatswain, j. Hart
| man.
The Associated Press representative
boarded both vessels shortly after they
dropped anchor. Large numbers Of per.
sons were refused admittance to the
deck. The band on the San Francisco
| was playing on the quarter deck and the
men were hustling about getting things
| in ship shape order.
| On the New Orleans things presented
different appearance. 1t could easily be
seen that she had experienced very rough
weather, and Lieut.. Commander Nazro,
who was in charge of the ship, said that
| they had experienced very heavy weather
| They left London on March 9th bound
for New York and came along rapidly IN
fine weather until the third instant, when
heavy winds commenced to blow. from
| that timo until the ships cropped anchor
here they have had IL hard time OF lt:
RAIN fog and heavy seas have prevailed
for thu past eight days. On the 9th the
ships became separated, and did not slght
each other for twenty-four hours. During
that time the New Orleans was repeated
II washed over by heavy seas. One OF the
starboard boats was smashed and the
steering gear was slightly deranged. The
course taken was as far south as latitude
Il; longitude 81. After going west to the
| Gull Stream, it was decided TO make
| Halifax.
The Usual visits ere eXchanseu touay
by the officers and Her MaJssty's repre-
| sentatives and the san frahelsco anu JUS
| forts exchanged saiutes.
| No man was the recipient OF more
cordial greeting on board the United
! states cruisers roday thar, Lieutenant
! Commander A. p. Nazro, tie genial and
f, ',eqrtv officer who is now in command OF
thp cruiser Anhzonas. Lieu5. Co.h-
lnsnt,er Nrzro was Formerly executive
nffo-f on i've ian Franci.co and his form
sr shipnutes xAys him d hearty greeting
| whom he visited the San Francisco to-day
for the first tire since the warships lett
| England Lieut.. Commander Nazro had
a severe experience in his first voyage IN
| the Amazonas The new ship has GOOD
sea going qualities but she was loaded TOO
| lightly to ride out the heavy gales when
| swept against her for whole week, ana sHl
she WAS tossed about considerable: Inc
story is best told in Lieutenant Nazro