The Portland daily press., 1898-03-10
ELLIDE Foa TORPEDO BOAT.
The Fastest a,lipg Boat in the World
owned in Philadelphia.

New York, March 9.-Plans have been
made and are now under consideration
for converting the Ellide, the fastess
boat in the wor q, into torpedo poat,
for the use OF the government in the
event of war. She has record of more
thans40 miles an hour, and could easily
distance any other afoat.
G. D. Mosher, her designer, was in
Washington on Saturday and Sunday
consulting with the officials of the Navy
Department in regard to the employ
ment of the vessel as a torpedo craft
He submitted plans, which, it is said,
were fayorabiy considered. He sent these
plans to Samuel Ayres q Son, of Nyack,
who built the Ellide, and who now have
charge or her. They were received yester-
day afternoon. The proposals Tor altera-
tions provide for furnishing the vessel
with steel deck and with armor for
the protection of her sides above the wat
er line. When refitted she will carry
torpedo tube of the largest size and IN
her a bow pound rapid fire gun.
If the negotiations which are i'll pro-
gress for refitting the boat end IN her
sale to the government, the necessary
alterations could be completed and she
could be made ready TO be put In com
mission in ten days. 1t is the opinion OF
experts that she would prove valuable
addition to the torpedo fleet
Her owner is K. Burgess Warren Of
Philadelphia, well-known yaohtsman
and a man of wealth. 1t is understood
that hs is willing to sell the yacht to the
government if she is wanted.
She cost $50, 600 and he paid Mr.. Mosher
a bonus of $4,000 for her extra speed
above 80 miles an hour. She was built
by the Ayres a year ago. She is so feet
long with an eight-foot beam and
draught of four feet She was built of
mahogany and carries quadruple eXpan-
sion engines of 500 horse power with
patent water tube boilers
She was speedeu over a mile course last
summer by the United States coastlng
vessel Bache. Her best time for the dis
tance was one minute and thirty five
seconds, which beat all previous records.
Her performances were watched by
Naval Constructor Bowles, Ensign
Ashborn Lieut.. Winslow and other naval
officers.
Mr.. Ayres said last night that the con-
version of the yacht into torpedo boat
was under discussion, and that, While he
was considering it. no definite arrange
ment had yet been made.
SPAIN DIDN'T BUY.
Washington, March 9.-The admins
tration has definite information from a
source which is regarded as beyond ques-
ton to the effect that Spain has not pur-
chased the two Brazilian cruisers Barboso
and Amazonsas.
THE HASTE TO BUY SHIPS.
London. March 9.-The Indications are
| that the United States government will
not wait for the arrival here Of Com
manaer Willard H. Brownson in order to
purchase warships. Definite offers have
already been made for ships building
| here. with the view of forestalling Spain
| which is supposed to be bargaining for
the same vessels.
MAINE SURVIVORS IN NEW YORK.
New York, March 9.-Five of the crew
| of the Maine arrived here today on the
| Mallory line steamer Lapmasas from
Key West. They are John B. Load, mas
ter at arms; John Schwartz, cook and
| Daniel Topilla, K. Kushida and Fusiano,
| two stewards. They went at once to the
Brooklyn navy yard.
THROWING OURSELVES HEAD
LONG.
| Paris. March o.-The Temps this af-
ternoon says: 1.-THE war into which the
| United States throws itself headlong,
will be disastrous to civilization. The
good sense and good faith of the Span
iards and Americans will prevent war"
SPANISH DESTROYERS.
Glasgow, March 9-The Spanish torpedo
boat dsstroyeIs Osado and Audaz left the
Clyde today, fully manned and with all
| the British guns and other ornaments on
board. They will embark their ammuni-
| tion tomorrow at Greenock and sail on
Saturday. At their trials they developed
speed of thirty knots.
@- AMMUNITION FOR BOSTON.
| Boston, March "a consignment of
ammunition consisting Of "a tons of shot
and shell came in on the railroad today
and is being transferred by lighter to
Fort Warren and the fertilization at
Long island head. This week eight
S-ton gans are to be taken from Fort
Winthrop and shipped by rail to some
southern port
CANN0T RE DISPROVEN.