New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-14
TO TAKE AMERICAN LINERS.
NAVY DEPARTMENT ORDERS PURCHASE
OF THE ST. PAUL AND THE ST. LOUIS.


xHENl-rHE YORKTOWN AND THE NIcTHERoY
UNDER OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES LEE
GIVES INFORMATION TO THE
NAVAL STRATEGY BOARD
Washington. April 13-There was greater ac-
nvity IN both the War and Navy departments
to-day than has been the case for over week
past. and everything tended TO indicate the
general belief that hos,ilies with Spain will not
be postponed many days. Probably the most
significant action at tho Navy Department was
the issue Of instructions to the Naval Auxiliary
Board at New-York for the immediate purchase
Of the ocean greyhounds st. Paul and ST. Louis
Of the American Line; the purchase or announcer
nrst-class auxiliary cruiser, probably the YORK
town. Of the Old Dominion Line. and the pur-
chase Of the Brazilian cruiser Nictheroy. The
last-named vessel is about to be inspected. and
the result Will determine the question OF her ac-
uuirement by the United States Navy.
The purchase Of the ST Paul and the ST.
Louis ie probably the most expensive transac-
ton contaminated by the Navy Department
since the beginning of the war excitement
These vessels cost over So. 100000 each. and are
regarded as among the best vessels Of that
class In the world being exceeded In speed
only by the Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse. Of the
German line and the Lucania and the Cam
pania Of the Cunard Line Their impressment
into the naval service Is authorized by the act
under which subsidy for carrying the Uniteo
States mall was granted. The amount paid Tor
then, Is an official secret. but Is known 10 be
somewhere in the neighborhood OF So.oOoooo.
The ST. Paul left Southampton on the 9TH INST
and is due in New-York on the 10Th inst The
st. Louis is at the English port. and the date OF
her return is not stated. These vessels will be
Va
Yard and put in condition for naval service as
rapidly possible.
USE FOR THE AMERICAN LINERS
They probably will be used mainly as transport
ships or as commerce destroyers most probably
the latter their speed and power make 'hem
especially adapted for such service The report
made by the Rodgers Auxiliary Board for the
armament OF these steamers provides for two
S-inch rapid fire and ten 5-inch rapld-fre guns
FOR the main battery. and twelve six-pound'rs
tor the secondary battery. The steering gear or
these vessels. as well as the magazines that are
20 be improvised will be protected by belt or
coal The ST. Louis and the st. Paul will be sent
TO the Cramp shipyard, where they were con-
structed to be fitted out as auxiliary cruisers
With rush work the vessels will be IN readiness
Tor service in about thirty days.
The Yorktown whose purchase the Depart
ment, II Is understood. has under consideration
Is a vessel Of 200 tons net register. The NaVal
Board has not yet reported as to her armament
but the oficials here prepared promptly 70
go to work to install It as soon as the snip Is
bought.
The Nctheroy. the Brazilian vessel, whose
purchase will depend on the report Of board
~ officers is said not TO be in an entirely salts
factory condition. and this is delaying the pur'
chase.
s1GsBEE AND GOODRICH TO COMMAND.
Captain Sigsbee. the hero Of the Maine, ana
Captain Goodrich. president Of the Naval War
College have been practically agreed upon by
the Navy Department as the two officers 70
take command Of the St. Louis and the ST.
Paul The assignment of Captain SiSsbee has
been awaited with great interest. for both the
President and Secretary Long have been anx-
ous since the commander Of the Maine arrived
In Washington to give him one or me best posts
In the naval service. II a battle-ship or cruiser
rad been available he would have received
command before this time. Lacking such hrst,
class ship. CAPTAIN Sigsbee was compilnehteu
BY a temporary post as naval aid 10 secretary
Long Now. however. that the Government IS
about to own the st. Louis and the st Paul
which equal in speed. tonnage ana SIZE any
tunity for giving Captain Sigsbee a command
which the President and the Secretary OF the
Navy regard as adequate TO the character OF
his recent services. The order has not been OIL
cay announced. pending the actual purchase
OF the ships.
GENERAL LEE CONSULTED.
Another significant occurrence at the Navy
Department to-day was conference lasting
over an hour between Co1sul-General Lee ana
the Naval Strategic Board composed Of Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt Rear-Admiral Walker
(rerired). Captain Caspar F. Goodrich OF The
Naval War Corece Commander Richardson
Glover and Captain Crowninshield. CHIEF OF the
Bureau Of Navigation. The meeting was held
ic the Office of Assistant Secretary Roosevelt.
Although the proceedings were secret. IL Is
known that they related almost wholly TO the
military defences of Cuba and especially the
forts az Havana. Generai lee eauca.!on an. 's
experience naturally gave much weight 10 ms
ohserva tons and he was questioned IN delali
as to the armament Of the forts at Havana the
location and strength Of land batteries ana other
points % military importance or when resi-
dence had given him knowledge. The confeTrees
discussed thoroughly the entire question or or
fensive and defensive movements IN the neigh
bcrhood Of Cuba in the Light Of the infofmatlon
which General Lee was able TO lInpart. MAJ.
uraly. details were mad- public. ort one or
the members Of the Board stated as they dls-
persed that the military situation had been
thoroughly considered. and General Lee had
been able to give them information OF very
valuable character.
Prior to the meeting Of the Strategic Board
General Lee spent half an hour IN conference
with Assistant Secretary Day in the iatters
Office.
The ST. Paul in command OF Captain Jamison.
sailed from Southampton April for New-York and
,s due here OF Friday next. The 81. Louis in COM
mand Of Captain R9nd.e. arrived at southampton
this morning from New-York. and II she returns
according TO the schedule of the American Line
will sail from Southampton or Saturday next
The only difference in the description Of the two
steamers Is that TIE ST Paul has engines with 1000
horsc-power greater then the 81. Louis. They were
butt a, Cramps shipyards. in Philadelphia, and
were launched in 1885 The tonnage Is II 629 gross
ana 5s4 net; they 5355 feet long, So feet beam
aid JD4 feet deep The hulls OF stee.. with ten
water-tight comDar tments and four decks and are
fitted for carrying water ballast. The engines OF