The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-10
SCARE OVER PHANTOM SHIPS.
SPANISH MEN OF WAR REPORTED
OFF HAVANA.

Officers Mt Navy Department Assert
That They Can Be Nothing More
Tban Small Armed Launches and
Not to Be Feared by Conveys of
Troop ships-A Landing Force of
. ZOO Men at the Disposal of Ad-
D,tral sampson on santiagO-En-
magemcnt Expected Yesterday.
washington, June 9.-It became appar-
spt this afternoon that the war depart
mont through the energetic offices of its
censors. has succeeded entirely in its pur-
nose to keep the movements of the Unit
Cd states troops secret, for, beyond ques-
tion. at the close of the day 1t was impos-
stble to learn where the United States
troops are which had been for weeks gath
erin under command of Gen. shafter in
Florida.
Stories of the appearance of mysterious
warships in Cuban waters f1oated through
the navy department during the day. The
officers quickly condemned them, declaring
that if the boats were Spanish they were
nothing more than small armed launches
and not to be feared by any number of
transports conveyed by such fine gunboats
as the Helena and Bancroft.
But when these stories reached the war
department they were received with diff
ferent spirit. Nothing is more helpless in
warfare than an unarmed troop transport
full of soldiers. She would fall an easy
victim to the smallest gunboat and the
soldiers knowing their weakness in this
respect are loath to undertake to cross the
Florida straits until these disagreeable Wis
itors have been removed from the path
way. Without respect to the character of
the strange craft that are said TO be dodg
ing the blockaders at Havana they will
be removed from the scene of action in
short notice, as it is understood that Ad-
miral Sampson has been made acquainted
with the situation and will be expected TO
redeem his promise to provide safe conduct
for the army when called upon. He has
ample force to conduct the operations to
successful issue and to still spare vessels
of any power desirable for use in the Flor
ida straits.
1t was pointed out to-day by q naval
officer that the admiral, since the arrival
of the marine battalion on the Panther,
has at his disposal what he may regard as
a sufficient force of men to capture San
tiago even before troops arrive. The 800
marines on the Panther, added to the
marines already with the feet, would make
a total of about 800 men. Without i'm
pairing the efficiency of his ships, Admiral
Sampson could spare LOCO bluejackets for
a landing party, and with this total force
rna
been armed by the United States govern
ment do their share, it seems possible for
Admiral Sampson to capture Santiago at
short notice
There seems to be a very decided air of
expectation this afternoon among officials
who are acquainted with the governments s
plan in the campaign that almost war
rant conclusion that an engagement Of
some kind was expected to-day
Steady progress is making upon ships
under construction by the government at
the several navy yards as revealed by the
monthly reports from the various yards to
Chief Constructor Hichborn. On the battle
ships the Newport News people are ahead.
having the Kearsarge and Kentucky SO
per cent advanced toward completion. and
the Illinois 46 per cent. Cramp & Sons the
Iron works have progressed 38 per cent
with the Wisconsin.
Ten torpedo boats are now actually un-
DER construction and have been completed
TO the following extent
The Rowan, 26-knotter, building at Mo-
ran Brothers, Seattle, 9S.5 per cent
The Dahlgren, 30-knotter, building at the
Bath Iron works, Bath, Ne. 7S per cent
The 7. A. NJ Craven. 3O-knotter, Bath
Iron works, Bath, Me, 80 per cent.
The Farragut. 30-knotter, Union Works
San Francisco, so per cent.
The Davis and Fox, 22.5-knotter, Wolff
d Sewicker, Portland, Ore, SS and 50 per
cent, respectively.
The Mackenzie, 20-knotter, Charles Hill
man, Philadelphia, 80 per cent
The Stringham, 3O-knotter, Harlan e.
Hol1ngsworth, Wilmington, Del, 2S per
cent
The Goldsborough. 9O-knotter Wolff G.
Sewcxer. per cent.
The Bailey, 90-knotter, Gas Engine and
FoWer Company, New Jersey, 21k per cent
The submarine boat Plunger building at
the columbian Iron works, Baltimore sim
Har in many respects 10 the Holland Is
said to be p per cent advanced.