The sun., 1898-03-24
THE NAVAL PREPARATIONS.
BUSIEST DAF IN THE HIsToRK OF
THE DEPARTMENT.

tors In Condition fer HnrBOr Doronoe-The
wAsHIYaToN. March o3.-with the prospect of
speedy knowledge OF whether the continuance
Of peace or n resort to war will be the outcome
OF the Spanish. Cuban question and tho Maine
disaster, the naval administration to-day re-
newed its activity in arranging for trouble with
Spain. A tremendous impetus was given to the
emergency preparations Everybody In the
Navy Department from Secretary Long down
through the list of his subordinates, appeared to
be invested with the spirit Of activity. Action
was taken in some instances involving the
expenditure Of largo sums OF money. The decis-
ion Of the department In these cases was prompt
and vigorous. and the arrangements consumed
fewer hours than the months that would have
been necessary In ordinary times to attain tho
onds accomplished. II was one of the very busiest
and most momentous days in the history Of the
department, and the results are gratifying. Somo
Of the things done were arrangements for tho
transfer of the revenue cutter fleet to the Navy
Department, tho selection Of an ambulance ship
and water tug. the practical promise of a tor.
pedo-boat destroyer owned by Italy, the recall
OF three naval vessels from foreign to home wa
tors directions TO put eight old.timo monitors
in condition to protect Now York. Boston, and
Philadelphia, and the despatch OF the modern
monitors Terror and Puritan to Key West on
the recommendation of the War Board. consist
ing of Assistant Secretary Roosevelt. Capt.
-CrowninShiold, and Commander Clover
Secretary Long this afternoon cabled orders to
the cruiser Cincinnati and the gunboats Castino
and Wilmington to return to home waters Mt
once. These three ships were concentrated for
some time at Barbados, and thence proceeded
to Port Antonio. Jamaica, at the very southern
most door OF Cuba. They reached Port Antonio
on Monday. and since then the members of the
War Board have been considering what disposi-
tion should DO made OF them to increase the
efficiency OF the United States naval
forces. 1t was the opinion of the board that tho
Cincinnati and the two gunhoats would bo of
little use on the southern side Of Cuba except in
enforcing a blockade. They were in great
danger Of being cut off by some OF the
powerful Spanish armored cruisers, and
the War Board concluded that their pres
ence in home waters gave greater prom
ise of safety and usefulness. The board
in considering questions OF the strategic disposi-
tion of vessels came 10 the unanimous conclu-
sion that it was better to have all the available
ships in the Atlantic brought under the direct
control of Admiral Sicard than to allow them
to remain at posts distant from tho shores of the
United States Accordingly, tho policy of the
Navy Department, following the recommenda-
tions OF the board, will be to concentrate
its available naval forco at ports along the
Eastern coast. leaving European, South
American and West Indian waters with
out the presence Of single American
warship This Is practically a defensive
rangement, but 1t will allow the concerted move
ment of an offensive expeditionary force with
out danger OF delay or the prospect Of failure on
the part OF veasels at distant points to put In
appearance at the right time. The orders to the
Cincinnati and the Castine are to proceed to
Key West The Wilmington will go to Jack
sonville, and will probably join the North Allan
tic squadron later on. Their departure from
Port Antonio will mark the entire dissolution of
the South Atlantic naval force.
Assurances were received to-day from Ameri-
can agents abroad that the italian Government
would sell to the United States an unnamed tor
pedo boat destroyer, under construction at the
Sestriponentc shipyards near Genoa. Whether
this Government will make the purchase will
depend on the time within which the destroyer
can be finished, but there is every reason 10 be-
leve that bargain will be struck and the vessel
transferred to this country. The destroyer has
nickel steel hull, twin screws, an indicated horse
power of I. 800, and is designed TO make the won
derful speed Of % knots an hour. She Is 200 feet
9 inches in length, 81 feet inches boam has
draught of o feet 10 inches, and displRces 29s
tons. Her engines use only liquid fuel, 60
tons of which can be held III the tanks. The
machinery is very fine. Armament will consist
OF five 6-pounderS. quick fire, and three tor
pedo tubes. Navy officials are more anx-
ious to secure boats of this type than
those of any other. So far their efforts
to secure destroyers have been unsuccessful,
owing to the refusal of the British Admiralty to
allow the Thornycrofts to sell some on the
stocks at their yards. The fact that other Gov
ernments would not dispose Of any of those
owned by them, and for tho additional reason
that such torpedo boat destroyers as were
offered would not be completed in time 10
be of use in the present emergency. nego-
tiations are now going on between the
Navy Department and American ship
building firms for signing contracts for
tho construction of q number Of destroyers
and torpedo boats. None of the destroyers can
be completed, however, In less than six months
Spain has several rapid vessels of this danger
GUS type. and had despatched them from Cadiz
for Cuba and Porto Rico whom informed that
the United States would probably object to their
presence In waters adjacent to the shores of this
country. Tho Spanish torpedo boat fiotilla is
now at the Canaries awaiting orders from
Madrid as to its future procedure.
The Ward liner Creole has been selected for
conversion into floating hospital to serve with
the NOrLh AIlAnIlc bQuauroH Dno lB oO2 IetC
long, has an inside breadth of A feet, and is IA
feet deep. Tho indicated horse power of her en-
gineS Is $500. and her gross tonnage is 3.sOl.
The Auxiliary Board. now in New York. has in
spected the Creole and Joined with Surgeon.
General Van Reypen In recommending her pur.
chase as an ambulance ship. The purchase will
be made at once.
Another useful vessel for tho purchase of
which arrangements are now being mado In
New York is the tug De Witt Q. WINS. The WINS
will be used in carrying fresh water to DO used
by the North Atlantic squadron in the boilers Of
ships and for drinking purposes. This boat has
Q capacity of $4,000 gallons of water.
The attempt OF tho United States to buy tho
ChliAn armored cruiser o'IIlggins has been
abandoned. Chill has positively declined to sell
the vessel, and Secretary Long was 80 informed
to-day by American agents abroad who have
been endeAvoring to strike bargain for her
purchase.
The expected orders to the modernlzod mon.
tors Terror and Puritan to proceed South were
issued to-day. Both will be attached to Admiral
SIca ri forca M he Elnrida rnaat Th1S unorn.