New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-19
FOR THE COAST DEFENCE.

EEAR-ADMIRAL ERBENs PLANs-HE DECLINES
THE STATES OFFER OF THE NAVAL MILITIA.
Rear-Admiral Erben went again 10 Washington
yesterday for instructions in the matter OF arrang-
ing the naval cOas. defence system which is In
his charge. He Is expected TO return to-day Under
his direction list OF the vessels available for use
IN haroor patrol at thie port is being prepared from
the records Of the Auxiliary Cruiser Board Lieu
tenanf-Cornmander j. u. J. Kelley Is In special
charge OF this work and classification OF the YES
sells according to their desiraDilty is being made
II was decided by Admiral Erben yesterday TO de-
cline with thanks the offer Of the State through
the Naval Militia TO continue the patrol or the
harbor. Commander Field said in regard TO the
matter that the State really had authority over
the waters OF the harbor. which were under Fed
eral control and there was means OF enforcing
the orders os the tugs manned under state au-
thoriiy Neither could the Government take the
vessels offered by private owners uness they gave
them outright and relinquishe3 all claim to them
Another reason according 10 Commander Field. for
not taking advantage OF the offer OF the State was
the fact that the Government had finally secured
two vessels Of It's own and by to-day would have
two more armed and equipped. for the enforcement
Of regulations
The armed yacht Free Lance under Lieutenant
hanus, duty yesterday at Sandy HOOK. ana
the Hist, formerly the Thespia, under Lieutenant
X r. Ingersoll. went duty last evening al the
channel between Fort Schuyler and Willets Point
iof last night the lighthouse tenders guarded the
"arrows. BY might the Viking under Neuten-
ant Henry Minett. and probably the Restless. un-
uer Lieutenant A. ". Dodd, Will De on duty Each
WIZ be armed with e-pounders or Hotchkiss rapid
gre guns. and IL orders not oDeyed there VIII
De means 10 bring recalctrant vessels to halt.
me Board 10 examine and report upon vessels
'oi coast defence has formally organized. with Ad-
MIRA Erben. president: Lieutenant Christopher L.
1'uns. recorder. and Joseph Barton. clerk The
BOARD yesterday ordered the purchase OF the tug
= ~ Jones from the Merritt Cha pman Wrecking
company. The Jones IS large seagoing tug, and
- now at Newport News She Will be sent TO the
-No'ioik Navy Yard. but may to this city
'o' uuty An offer by L. II. Peck, OF No 206 Broad
@s' Of his yacht Playmate. nifty feet long. for use
a. me naroor was refused yesterday. IL
ST. .iYusht unwise by Admiral Erben 10 take the YES
80 since The Navy Department recently declined
~ 1Isr o. o. H. 7. Belmont 10 build a vessel for
~, s;le government. 1t thought that compica-
tto"s might arise from the OF a private vessel
,us'y IN patrolling tho harbor and that possible
T,,H's Tor damages might result
W. announcement was made yesterday that the
ths department. would in all probability charter
III, .g I'M Enflis Tor use as a hospital ship and
$40. sue VIII De lifted up with medical supplies and
pS.oie es The Englis has been withdrawn from the
sid '.aho service by the Maine Steamship Company
Wy riOiallo Hail has taken her
70 ny Engineer Fitch. u. S. " (retired) reported
Defennn rroen yesterday for duty on The Naval
oUaptain J. w. Miller OF the Naval Militia con-
t"c,, 10 De energetic in his efforts for haTbor pro
cosrI ne sent a communication To the Police
sor - yesterday for the OF the steamer Patrol
sr,,,,se next month for the purpose OF continually
anu organizing the men OF his command.