The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-24
WILL USE The MONITORS.
Naval Department Is Strengthening
All Weak Points.
I'D VESSELS FOR COAST DEFENSE.
The Modern Double Turrctcd Nom
itor Terror sent 10 Join the
Squadron at Key West.

Washington, March 2SThe navy de-
paftment took the most decisive step today
toward defensive preparation for emergency
| that has been made since the squadron
was centered at Key West. The orders to-
day bring into service the eight single
turreted monitors used during the civil war
for service as coast defense ships. They
| have been lying for some time at the
League Island navy yard at Philadelphia.
| Secretary Long has issued orders that the
| Catskill and l.ehigh proceed to Boston and
I the monitors Miantonomoh and Jason to
New YORK.
The monitors ordered to Boston and New
YORK viii proceed under their own steam,
as their engines are capable OF speed OF
live TO seven knots an hour. The orders
concerning the four monitors remaining at
Philadelphia direct that they shah be
completed and ready FOR commission within
tic next ieW days. In order to 10 this
tlree Of them are TO be given new boilers,
ard Secretary Long approved orders for
these roilers at cost oil $4,000 each.
Simultaneous with the issue Of these or
Gers TO the single turreted monitors Secre-
tary Long also ordered the modern double
turreted monltor Terror from New York,
where she has thus far been stationed, 10
Key West, where she is to join Admiral
Slcard's fleet. This last move takes from
New York City what has thus tar been re-
garded as her chief vessel reliance for har-
Dor defense and leaves the monitors Ma
hant and Jasper, which now supply the
place OF the Terror There is vast diff
terence between the old and new type OF
these peculiar naval engines of destruction,
yet they are essentially the same and naval
officers say that II is great mistake 10
believe that the effectiveness of the old
monitors is past. The monitors now
brought into commission took part in the
notable naval engagement resulting in the
fall OF Charleston In recent years they
have been somewhat overssadowed by the
fine cruisers and battleships of the new
navy, but the navy department never has
lost sight OF them as effective coast defense
vessels IN time OF need. Monthly reports
have been made on them and these show
they are well equipped for the special set
vice they are called on to perform. They
have two 15-inch guns. mounted in a re-
volving turret. The turrets zre In FER
feet condition and the mechanical devices
which operate the turrets are In good
working order throughout. The guns,
while not of the latest type, are effective
for heavy solid shot The fact that they
viii proceed under their own steam indi
Gates The confidence Of naval authorities in
their seaworthiness. In a heavy sea they
are completely awash, save the turrets, but
IL is alleged that this is an advantage
rather than otherwise and that even in
this condition they can make from five TO
seven knots an hour There is no lnten-
ton of utilizing them otherwise than as
harhor defense boats. Even in this latter
character the naval officials are fully con-
scious of their defects but are satisfied
that they will prove adequate for the lin
led defensive purposes to which they arc
assigned.
The Catskill and Lehigh will undergo
some additional repairs when they arrive
at Boston and thoss going 10 New York
may also require some additional work
there