The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-01
MONITOR MONTEREY
COMING TO THE SOUND.
IL War II Declared, the Dattleshtp
Oregon VIII Go to Saa
Eraucfse0.

NEW YORK. Feb. 2s.-It has been de-
cidea by the navy department 20 keep on
the Pacific coast the full force of naval
vessels now there. says the Washington
correspondent OF the Herald. The depart
ment recognizes the fact that the strength
Of the North Atlantic squadron would be
greatly increased by attaching the battle
ship Oregon to Rear Admiral Slcard's
command. but they appreciate the danger
OF leaving the Pacific coast without assist
ance of this class. just as they appreciate
the importance OF defending the ports by
the vessels OF the monitor type.
There are now stationed on the Pacific
coas, the Oregon. the coast defense YES
sells Monterey and Monadnock and the
training ship Adams. The Oregon, which
Is at Puget sound. viii be ordered to pro-
coed TO San Francisco harhor. and her
place In northern waters Will be probably
taken by the Monterey. The department
recently directed that the Monadnock be
retained in reserve. but the orders have
not been carried out. and she viii probably
be sent to San Diego.
Besides these ships, the department has
at Honolulu the cruiser Baltimore and the
gunboat Bennington. No orders have been
issued for the return OF these vessels. In
view of the aspirations OF the administra-
ton to bring these islands within Amer.-
can jurisdiction.
The cruiser Alert aud the gunboat Mari
eta are in Nicaraguan and Guatemalan
waters respectively. These ships will be
ordered 10 san Francisco II an emergency
arises and VIII hold themselves In readi-
ness for active service.
The department do.snot anticipate that
u spanish fleet will to seat To the Pacific
coast, but there IL an expectation that A
detached armored cruiser may be ordered
around TO the Pacific 10 make demon
strailon.
One OF the objects OF the department; In
securing sufficient men to place the eruls-
ers Columbia and Minneapolis ia commits
sion is 10 attach them to Rear Admiral
Sicard's command at Key West With
these vessels In southern waters. it will
be an easy matter 10 have them Joined by
the cruisers New York anal Brooklyn and
to send them to Spanish waters. probably
Cadix
Authorities say that the Columbia. Min
nsapoils. brooklyn aud the New York Will
be ideal ships 10 form a flying squadron
The Columbia and Minneapolis have
bunker capacity Of l.6so tons u coal each.
the Brooklyn lie. and the New York
i.sso. 1Ae!r steaIning radius Is sufficient
~ large to enable them 10 carry oct the
programme contemplated ~ tho depart
meNt. and 80 far AS obtaining coal ca the
other side D. concerned. the authorities
point eat that a. coal was coutrabani
81 war during she rebelllon ships Of the
Unton had no djfnealty In getting from
EnglisG merchants au they wanted
1ae monitor Puritan. which VIII II, re-
tatard near Ifamptoa Reads Is defend
Baltimore. Washington. Norfo,k ant
Rtcasond. VII h&vs her repairs completed
she FIRST ~ nySt week she NOW has a
part 81 hss crew. ana tleay. commaedcr
J NJ tawiey IS providing GAS detail ID.
tte msn whe w.1 DE assigned to H.. ga-
eanties uoW existing or ihat ship