Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-18

sufficient light armored protection over
such vital points as the engines. boilers
and gun mounts as will suffice to at least
protect her against the fire Of the destruc-
tive light secondary batteries Of modern
cruisers. OF course, 1t Is not expected
that she will voluntarily undertake to cope
with full-fedged warships carrying heavy
guns and armor. but she is feet enough to
escape from an encounter with such .
craft, end her field Of operations will prob
ably be confined to the running down Of
similar craft that may be commissioned
by the Spanish government as privateerS
or commerce destroyers.
Condition Of the somers,
The reports that have reached the Navy
Department from England tend to dis
courage the idea that the torpedo boat
Scmers, now lying at Falmouth under
convoy Of the cruiser Topeka, can be safe
~ trusted to cross the ocean under her
own steam. This might be accomplished in
mild summer weather, but the little boat
y as never designed by her German builders
to undertake an Atlantic passage in the
tempestuous springtide. Although the
boat is about $50 feet in length. the idea
Is entertained at the department that it
may be possible to bring her across on the
deck Of some ship. Possibly some big Eng
lish tramp steamer can be found with
enough deck room to accommodate the
Somers.
Use of the Venezuela.
The Navy Department has changed its
plans as to the Venezuela, just purchased
from the Red d lire. Instead of using the
vessel as an auxiliary cruiser, as originally
intended, she is now destined to be employ
ed as transport for marines. These will
be gathered up at the principal Atlantic
ports, placed on the Venezuela and trans
ported to Key West and Hampton Roads
for detail to the fleets there. The Vene-
zuela is at present at the Morgan iron
works, New York, where work has already
been begun upon her to transform her
into cruiser.
Florida Coast FOrtifcations.
Among Secretary Ayers visitors today
were Senators Pasco and Mallory of Flor
ida. who are urging the War Department
to push the Notifications work on the Flor
Ida coast. They have also asked that the
War Department allot to the citizens Of
Florida, particularly those along the coast,
quantity Of small arms for use in equip
ping such of the militia as may be without
these requisites of defense. Florida prom
ises to be center CT the theater Of hos
tilfties In the event of war. The authorities
evidently fear the incursion of small ma
rauding parties from ships along the i'm
mense stretch of coast. and feel some means
should be devised for protection from them
Tomorrow a delegation from Fernandina Is
to come before the Secretary to urge that
the Notifications at that place be improved.
Senators Hale and Frye of Maine were
also among the Secretary's callers today.
Quartermaster General Ludington issued
instructions this morning for the purchase
OF 1880 mules for transportation service
with the army in Cuba, provided 1t goes
there, making in all $500 animals SO far
purchased for that purpose. He has also
completed arrangements for full supply Of
tents, clothing and camp equlpage in gen.
eral, for the use of the army in southern
climates.
Late Naval Orders.
The following naval orders were issued
today:
Mate c. Larson, ordered to the Hercules.
Mate ]. NJ. Mahoney, to the tug Enter
prise.
Mate c. T. Chase, to the Powhatan.
Lieut.. d. H. Mahan, to the Yumuri as ex-
ecutive officer.
Lieut.. H. H. Barroll, to the Helena as
executive officer.
Ensign G. L. P. Stone, from the Marble
head to thu Puritan.
Lieut.. w. c. Hume, from the Puritan to
command the Choctaw.
Ensign F. B. Sullivan, from the Bache to
the Marblehead.
Ensign F. NJ. Russell from the Bache to
command the Powhatan,
Ensign o. p. Jackson, from the Yosemite
to the Niagara.
Lieut.. ]. &. Blish, from the Yosemite to
the Niagara as executive officer.
Ensign A. T. Chester, from the Yosemite
to the Sterling.
Mate ]. H. Doyle, to the Vermont.
Commander F. Courts, detached as in
spector of 18th light house district and
given two months sick leave.
Capt. c. d. Sigsbee, fIom duty in the Of
flee of the Secretary Of the Navy and Or
dered Immediately to League Island with
the ST. Paul.
Rear Admiral NJ. Sicard ordered to Office
Of the Secretary. Unexpired leave revoked.
Lieut.. Commander II. Winslow, from the
Constitution to the League Island navy
yard, with the ST. Louis.
Lieut.. ]. NJ. Poyer, order of April o. de-
taching him from navy yard. Washington,
revoked.
Commander G. c. Reiter, from the navy
yard, Norfolk, and ordered to command
the Venezuela.
Lieut.. H. c. Gearing, from the Naval
Academy to the Yumuri.
Commander A. s. Snow. from the navy
yard, Portsmouth, N. H., to command the
Yumuri.
Lieut.. Joseph B. Murdoch. from Naval
War College to the Venezuela as executive
officer.
Lieut.. r. o. Bitter, from the branch hy-
geographic Office, ordered Immediately to
the Lebanon as executive officer.
Lieut.. NJ. A. McCully, from the Yankee
to the Sterling.
Lieut.. c. NJ. Knepper, from the Yankee
to the Lebanon.
Ensign B. B. Mccormick, from the Prairie
to the Lebanon.
Lieut.. ]. A. Dougherty from the Prairie
m off