The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-06

NJ.
is now probably able 10 meet ON even
terms. at least. the formidable Spanish
armorcd cruisers which sailed from Cape
Verde for an unknown destination I'm
view Of this action Of the department
and particularly If Commodore Schley
should be reinforced by some torpedo ves-
sells. 10 may be assumed that he will re-
infOrce the fleet iu quest of The Spanish
squadron
NAVAL RECRUITING.
Chief Engineer Harrie Webster. mem
Der Of the Naval Recruiting Board.
which has been gathering up material
for the personnel of the navy IN the
West and South. arrived at the Navy De-
partmant this morning. lie Is just from
Norfolk. where he landed l0i good men,
who had been enlisted by the board.
Commander Hawley and DIT Parsons,
the other members of the board. Yin
B0atswain Larkiu. late of the Maine. an
attendant. have arrived I'm Detroit, where
they will tomorrow open recruiting
headquarters. The board has met with
success I'm it's undertaking. Some excel
lent men were obtained at New orleans,
whore the first office was opened. CAL
weston. the next recruiting port. also
furnished a contingent. and it "as noted
that the applicants there were better
qualified physically than 40 any o'her
point the average number passed being
so par cent. as against am average OF STD
per cent elsewhere AT Cleveland the
board took in about au even number or
deck hands and machinists. The TOO men
taken down by Mr.. Webster came from
Chicago. and are OF good charlc-or, also
about evenly divided between in' TWO
classes deck hands and macninists
ha
gan. Wis. where it has been informed
$50 good men are ready 90 enlist
Lieutenant A. II. Cobb. Of the navy. oas
been assigned to duty as secretary of the
Naval strategic Board. Of which Rear
Admiral Sicard is president, succea ling
I'm that duty Mr.. William Howell, pn-
vate secretary to the Assistant secretary
of the Navy
The steamship Illinois. recently ac-
0uired bv the Navy Department. is being
fitted out as a refrigerator supply sn'p'
and will hereafter be known as he sup
ply. IL was necessary to select O. NV
name for this vessel, because of tine fact
that there is already battlsship Illinois
i'm the navy.
TO make no change I'm the name of the
swift yacht Aileen, recently purchased
I'm New York for naval purposes.
MIR. ROOSEVELTS DEPARTURE.
Assistant Secretary Roosevelt will leave
here tomorrow for san Antonio. Tex,
for the purpose of assuming his new du-
Ties as Lieutenant colonel OF the regiment
of mounted rihemen. commanded by col
oncl Leonard Wood. lie will practically
sever his official connection with the
Navy Department at The close OF busi-
ness to-day although his resignation may
not take effect until after the appoint
ment and qualification OF his successor.
Who this will be has not yet been dis
closed but there is q strong impression
that it may be- either Representative
Robinson Of Pennsylvania o. eX-Eepra-
sentative Allen of Massachusetts.
REPAIRING THE CINCINNATI
Do having been represented TO the Navy
Department that the cruiser Cincinnati
is in need OF repairs Co her boilers and
venuiItug apparatus. authority has been
given for the withdrawal of that vessel
from further service with the blockading
squadron On the northern coast OF Cuba.
in order that she may go 10 the Norfoik
Navy Yard for an ovorhauling. The
work to Boz done Us not very extensive.
and will probably be completed Don time
fo enable fho Cincinnati to resume her
place ON the Cuban station by the end
of tue month. The Cincinnati is one OK
the best ships of her class IN the navy
and has been selected as the flagship of
Commodore Watson. who has been as
signed 90 the command of one OF the d.
visions of Admirals Simpsons feet.
THE TOPEKA TO co SOUTH.
The cruiser Topeka. Lieutenant Com
mandor CoWles commanding, which has
just arrived at New York from England.
viii probably be assigned 20 duty with
the cuban bl0Ckadng fleet. Her arma-
ment is not yet in place. however. and IL
may take some time 10 prepare her for
active sea duty.
The cruiser Newark being QUILTED at
Norfolk will go into commission on the
18th instant She will be- commanded by
Captain A. s. Barker. now on duty az the
Navy Department as a member OF the
naval strategic board
TO BUY LARGE FLOATING DOCKS
Arrangements are being made at the
Navy Department for the purchase OF
two large floating docks, for location at
Pensacola navy yard and some other
suitable point on the Gulf of Mexico,
probably Mobile. for the repair OF any
Of the smaller vessels Of Admiral Samp-
sons fleet which may be damaged I'm
their operations against the Spaniards.
These docks are newly built and have
n capacity Of $500 tons. sufficient for the
accommodation OF cruisers Of the Raleigh
ana tlnclnudI class ana the Niudiltt
gunbOats and torpedo vessels. The ac-
quirment Of these docks was made upon
the recommendation of Chief Construc-
tor Hichborn. who pointed out the great
desirability Of having such facilities near
the scene Of probable conflict and In that
way avoiding the delays and embarrass-
ments consequent upon having 70 send
vessels to the docks at more northern
ports.
CHARLESTON'S CAPTAIN AND CREW
Captain H. Glass has been detached
from the navy yard. Mare Island. where
he was ip command NJ the Pensacola.
and assigned 10 command "immedlIteiy'
the Charleston. This cruiser Will convoy
the relief expedition TO COMMODORE Dewey
az Manila.
The following officelH are ordered to re-
port Immediately on board the Charles
ton for duty:
Passed Assistant Surgeon A. Faren-