The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-20
The Terror and the Puritan and the
WinsIow and Foote,
WILL Be READY IN A FEW DAYS.
Assistant Secretary OF War Mcikle-
John is at Fort Monroe Prcsuma-
bly, on Tour of Inspection.
The Dependence for Defence
Against a Hostile Fleet
Torpedo System.

NORFOLK. VA. Feb. l9.-speeial.-A
the NorrolK Navy yard this morning
nearly a hundred extra men were taken
IN and put TO work on the Cruiser New
ark. Repairs amounting to $4,000 are be-
ing made to this vessel Six months s
allowed for their completion. The work
can be done in three. perhaps less.
NEW CREW FOR THE TERROR.
The crew OF the monitor Terror, which
Is at the yard being over-hauled, was
sent TO san Francisco ten days ago, and
the vessel ordered into ordinary at Lea
que Island but this morning this order
was countermanded and instructions
wired to get the vessel ready for active
duty.
Orncers and crew were promised In this
telegram 10 be mere an several days. And
when they come the Terror will proceed
10 Hampton Roads and drop anchor until
furtner orders.
THE PURITAN.
Work IS being pushed on the huge trip
pie turret monitor Puritan. which IS be-
ing oyer-hauled and she will be ready
for duty I'm less than a week.
At Fortress Monroe there Is no open
preparation for emergencies, but there Is
an air OF expectancy pervading officers
and men. some OF whom do not hesitate
10 express their belief that their services
may be needed shelly.
4 PORTENTlOUS VISIT.
Assistants Secretary OF Mar Meiklejohn
arrived at Fort Monroe last evening. In
tho face OF the present uncertainty MS
visit is portentous. ~ %
Secretary Alger has been ~ operating
al the Cbamberin for some >ime past
but the Assistant Secretary is fresh from
the department, and II IS the general ex-
preston that President Mckinley has
sent him out 10 ascertaih by personal OBJ
seryation the condition Of the army posts.
FORTRESS MONROE
Fortress Monroe Is to-day I'm better
condition to resist attack than It has
been since the war The rapid-iirlng
rifles. mounted on disappearing carriages
behind a small mountain OF concrete. are
formidable fortincat,Ons In themselves.
1hen the old portion OF the fort has been
nut I'M good trim. the old smooth bore
guns ntted with sub-cailbre rifing, etc.
Inc new mortar battery, a mile up the
beach. IS about completed. and II could
prevent the passage OF a fleet even though
IL were not assisted by the fort.
Orders we're received at the nayy-yard
AT l.. NJ. to keep the force AZ WORK on
the Puritan and Terror and torpedo
boats Footo and Winslow tonight and All
day tomorrow.
Repairs on all four will be completed
by the middle OF next week
Commodore Farquhar refuses TO discuss
the situation.
NEWPORT NEWS DEFENCELESs.
NEWPORT NEWS. VA, Feb l9.-Spe-
cial. The reports that the Governments
Is taking steps 20 strengthen Fortress
Monroe go as 20 protect Hampton ROADS
against the invasion OF warships, should
this country become involved In war with
Spain. lacks confirmation here.
However. It Is a woll-known fact that
tho channel al present is not strongly
fortified. and any hrst-clas5 batte-ship
could enter and demolisn the shlp-yaro
and the three hatileshiDs now under
course OK construction.
SHORT OF AMMUNITION.
At Fortress Monroe there are said TO be
three modern disappearing guns IN usetui
condition. In case of an emergency there
IS but ammunition enough stored there to
keen these suns in operation one hour.
strong protection.
rid Raps" can be put in condition
inside Of twonty-four hours that would
help to protect this port
THE TORPEDO STATION.
The torpedo station az Fortress Monroe
is Kept in working condition. and can
be used in m emergency case. Tho sta
tlon under ground. and the mechanism
is composed chiefly of electrical appara-
fuses. Wires are attached and stretched
from station 20 the ocean bed. and II
would not require long 70 attach the tor
pedoes.
Then there are monitors which might
be ussc. But this defence IS not thought
to De 50 formidable as 90 prevent tho
entry Of modern war craft. or course.
speedy preparations would be made, and
one OF Uncle SANS ighting machines
would. doubtless b. stationed at OLD
Point 10 protect Newport News. How
ever, this Is a serious matter.
a MAGAZINE.
For some time the Navy Department
has had under consideration the advisa-
bnily o. locating q magazine near New
port News. but as yet nothing has been
done. Ev some people Il Is claimed
that lt would De impossible for foreign
warship TO enter this harbor without a
pilot but II Is doubtful II there Is a
commander OF vessel In any modern
nav!es who could not steer his ship and
pass In the Virginia canes with safety.
THE NEW RATTLESHIpS.
A prominent officer OF the ship-yard told
me to-Ilght that n war were declared. II
would NOT require very long 10 complete
the hattleships now building here. BY
putting double force of men al work
the Kentucky and Kearsarge could have
steam up and IN hghtins trim In six
months. The Illinois would he ready to
60 10 sea month or 50 later Should
there be a war the ship-yard would be in
great demand. and many Of the ships OF