The evening times., 1898-03-17
IMPORTANT NEGOTIATIONS.
a Very Fast Torredo Boat May BE
Added 10 the Navy.

Added TO the Navy.
New York, March H-Negotiations
which have been in progress for several
days between the Navy Department and
Charles r. Flint. of this city, were prac-
tically completed ye,esrdey. whereby the
Government within two 4ponths may ac-
quire a torpedo boat which will be one of
the fastest craft in the country and which
will be a most important addition to our
Navy. 1t is expected that the negotia-
tions will be ended either today or tomor-
row for the construction of the vessel
Mr. Flint, who has furnished many war
vessels to other governments, some time
ago placed an order with Charles ID. Mo-
sher for the building of a steam yacht
which was to possess remarkable speed.
Work had been begun on the engines
when Argentina made a bid to acquire
the contract. intending to have the craft
built for torpedo boat instead of for u
pleasure craft The contract was made
over to the South American republic but
soon afterward it changed its determina-
ton, and induced Mr.. Flint to rescind the
contract.
When the present urgent need of tor
pedo boats was admitted. few days ago,
by the Navy Department Mr.. Flint went
TO Washington and offered Secretary
Long an opportunity to acquire the boat,
promising to have the work rushed with
the greatest possible speed. The Secre-
tary was greatly pleased with Mr. Flnts
offer and told him he would give it Sc
rious consideration.
Mr.. Flint returned to New York and on
Saturday last received telegram from
Secretary Long. asking him 10 visit
Washington a once. He did so. with the
result that after a conference the likeIi-
hood Of the Government accepting Mr.
Fiints offer was stronger than ever Yes
terday Mr.. Flint was in communication
with the Secretary again by telegraph
and 1t is now almost an assured fact
that the work on the boat will be started
forthwith. Mr.. MOsher went to Washing
ton on the Congressional limited train
yesterday afternoon 10 see Secretary Long
in regard To certain details Of the boats
construction. He was accompanied by
Lieut.. Very, of the American Ordnance
Company.
From Ir. Flint and Mr. Mosher the fol-
lowing facts about the vessel were OBJ
tained: Up 10 the present time nothing
mas been done toward the construction of
the hui. but her quadruple engines are
SIX months advanced toward completion.
There are two of these each capable of
developing 200 horse power One set of
engines Is being built in Newark N j.
and the other in Bethlehem Pa The di-
ameters OF the cylinders are II. u. o. and
32 by Is inches stroke She will have
twin screws. Her dimensions will be:
Length on the load line. 130 feet: beam
1876 feet: draught. feet speed 81 knots
or more. Her coal bunkers will be Of
sufficient capacity TO allow her 10 cross
the Atlantic at reasonable speed. She
Will have seven steel bulkheads, dividing
her into eight watertight compa rtments
She will have two boilers of the Musher
water tube type. having 50 square feet of
CRATE surface. and 5000 square feet Of
heating surface.
There will be accommodations for twen-
ty-four men, including officers. Near the
bow Will be the captains room. Adjon-
ing il Will be the ward room, and in the
rear of that the butler's pantry bath. etc.
Two petty officers berths and two berths
for machinists follow. The succeeding
rooms. The magazine and galley, on op-
posite ends of the vessel adioin. Then
come four berths for the crew, and fur
ther aft other quarters for the crew.
containing sixteen berths.
On the port and starbpard sides just
forward OF the smokestack, and on the
upper deck will be two 1S-inch torpedo
tubes. while there will be one of the same
dimensions at the stern. She will also
have two 3-pounders. one near the bow
and the other aft Of amidships. Four /
Founders will complete the vessels bat
terry. Two of these will he near each
other amidships. while another will be aft.
near the torpedo tube, and the fourth
near the 3-pounder forward.
As soon as the contract for the boat Is
signed the work Of building her will be
divided a among several concerns that
she may be ready at the earliest possible
moment