New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-21
PORT ROYAL A NAVAL BASE
RIG SUPPLY OF COAL TO BE STORED
THERE SOON
ry- IOWA AND THE MASSACHUSETTS TO BE
DoCKED AT THAT POIT-NEws OF THE
NAVY DEPARTMENT
my TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBrNE.l

my TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBrNE.l
washington. April 2O-The Navy Department
&c now engaged in making contracts for pur-
chasing enormous supplies OF coal TO he stored
@, Port Royal which will be made second only
70 Hampton Roads and Tortugas as a naval
base 1t is proposed TO dock the Massachusetts,
and the Iowa there opportunity oc-
ours the developments of the next week being
expected to show when one of these vessels can
best be withdrawn from active service for few
days.
valuable addition 10 the repairing tacilitles
Of the Key West rendezvous is now in use. II
consists Of a bow and-stern dock which can be
used 10 exclude water from around the bow or
stern of any naval vessels rendering repairs to
propellers rudders or comparatively
eirnle matter The Importance OF this
trivance is apparent when II is stated that nine
,enths Of the external accidents TO ships in &C
ron Will be reached for repair by means OF this
dock.
Naval boards the examination Of volun-
.ser naval officers will be announced as soon as
The Presidents call IS issued. For the line off,
Gers the board will meet at Washington. The
engineer board Will be composed OF Chief En-
e,neers Abel. Andrade and Barton, and will
nee, AZ Philadelphia. Out OF the one thousand
anrlicanis for engineer service one hundred will
no sent before the board, and twenty-five Will be
selected.
The ambulance ship Solace, according to re-
norris received to-day from Newport News Is
almost completed and Will go TO the Norfolk
Navy Yard Monday TO receive her stores.
crew and complement Of nurses and surgeons,
in order to sail on Wednesday for Key West
orders were issued to-day to Commander An
drew Dunlap to command the Solace. He has
been in command Of the Coast Survey steamer
Bache for several months and with that
vessel at Havana after the explosion OF the
Maine
An order was Issued by the Navy Department
to-day placing Commander Elmer In charge OF
the mosquito fleet.
The Navy Department was q scene Of great
activity to-day.
Secretary Longs visitors included not only a
considerable number OF Congressman, including
Chairman Cannon Of the House Committee on
Appropriations. but a number Of persons who
are trying 10 Sc. vessels 10 the Government;
The latter referred to Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt. who has taken special charge Of the
ship purchases. The Department has almost
concluded arrangements for the purchase Of
one or two vessels in England 10 he used as
golfers hut in advance OF the completion Of the
public their names.
There was every disposition on the part OF the
officials 70 limit the purchases to ships Of
American construction and ownership, but in
view Of what termed at the Navy Depart
Inent barefaceG attempts at extortion by the
owners and agents OF some OF these craft the
Department feels warranted in going abroad
and securing suitable vessels a. a moderate
cost.
Rear-Admiral Hughes. a retired officer. sew
enty-six years old, fled his application with the
Navy Department to-day FOR restoration 10 ac-
tive service in the event OF hostilties