The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27
Organization of the "FIying squad-
rOn," Under Commodore Schley, to
Be Completed This Week.
MONITOR OFFICERS NAMED
SHIPS OF THE NAVY TO BE PAINTED
A DULL LEAD SHADE.
No Action Yet Taken to Intercept the
Spanish FIOtilIa-BrOwnsOn to
Command the St. Paul.


WASHIEG GTON, March 26.-The Navy De-
partment, as usual, was the most active
center cf the day at the capital Among
Secretary Longs callers was Mayor Quincy,
of Boston who discussed the need of pro-
tecting the city by suitable armament and
frst-class ships, as well as the two single
turreted old monitors to be sent there. Mr.
Long fully shares this sentiment Of his fell
low -townsman, but there is little prospect
that the better class of ships can be used
north of Hampton Roads, except in times OF
emergency
Commodore Schley came to bid goodbye
to Secretary Long before going to Hampton
Roads to assume command Of the flying
squadron. He leaves Washington to-mor-
row and will raise his commodore's flag on
Monday. His heart is in this particular ass
signment and he expressed the greatest sat-
isfaction on starting for this sea service
Late in the day another shift was made
in the plans for painting the war ships, and
Captain Crowninshield finally determined
that all the ships of the navy should be
painted dull lead color. This was the color
of all federal ships during the civil waz
and is said to be the best lighting COLOR
The Naval Bureau Of Ordnance is pre-
pairing new mounts for q number of White
head torpedo tubes in order TO place
them on the revenue cutters, the newly ac-
quired yachts and tugs. The torpedo tubes
were originally intended to go below deck.
but with the new craft the tubes and
mounts must be changed for service on the
upper decks. When this work is done Cap
tain ONei head of the bureau, expects to
be able to equip sixty craft, if occasion de-
mands with torpedo tubes.
The contract for the big steel piers, coal
sheds and extensive coal appliances for
loading war vessels at Dry Tortugas and
Key West were let to-day The Union
Bridge Company, of New York city, wilt
build the steel piers, etc, both at Tortugas
and Key West, the contract price being
$4,000. The tracks, cars, machinery, ETC.,
will be furnished by the Brown Hoisting
Company, of Cleveland, for $151,0O0. These
were not the lowest bids, but the Navy
Department considered other features than
the amount bid. The contract calls for COM
pleting the extensive work at Tortugas in
16O days and at Key West in 40 days The
machinery Is to be installed and ready for
service ten days later.
Formal orders were issued to-day by Cap
tain Shoemaker, chief of the revenue-cutter
service, for the eight revenue vessels called
into the service Of the navy to rendezvous
at the Norfolk navy yard. The instructions
given to the commanders of the ships were
to report at Norfolk between the 18th OF
March and the 9Th of April, and there to
have the necessary alterations and repairs
made upon them at the earliest possible mo-
ment. AS heretofore announced, the ships
will proceed to Key West as soon as they
can be got ready for service Some 6if-
is ad IN, he
Gresham out of the great lakes. She is too
long to pass through the locks of the canals,
and it may be necessary for the department
to cut off the stern of the vessel in order
to permit her passage Of the locks. The
principal objection 20 this plan is that 1t
will delay the arrival of the ship at Norfolk,
but both Captain Shoemaker and the off,
cials of the Navy Department say that her
value will not be impaired. One official said
it would be simply matter of time and
dollars and cents. The Calumet stationed
at Chicago, being much smaller vessel
than the Gresham, will have no difficulty in
passing the canal locks. Captain Shoemaker
has recommended to the Navy Department
that an allotment from the big emergency
appropriation be made for the repair and
equipment Of the vessels upon their arrival
at Norfolk, and in all probability will be
made. Captain Shoemaker inquired Of the
Navy Department to-day whether he should
include in the complement of officers de-
tailed TO the several vessels surgeons. and
was informed that he should.
Preparations are making by the lighthouse
board to turn over to the Navy Department
the lighthouse tenders, and instructions were
issued to-day by the board to the commando
ers of the tenders to make complete in
ventory of the present furnishing and equip
ment of the vessels. The tenders that viii
be utilized by the navy are the Lilac now
at Portland. Me-; the Mayfiower and AzaIea.
now at Boston, Mass; the Armaria, at New
York, and the Maple, in Chesapeake bay.
y sill be necessary, Of course, that these
vessels be reitted to some extent and
equipped with such light small-caliber guns
as they are able to carry. The equipment
Of the vessels and the other necessary work
un~ hem will be done at the Norfolk navy
regarded as not unlikely that Com
!. ander w. M. Folger. now In charge OF
the New York lighthouse district, may be
placed in command OF the newly-acuuired
Brazilian cruiser Amazonas now the New
Orleans. but 1t can be stated upon high
naval authority that the detail has not vet
been made or even determined upon. Con-
mander Folger is a son Of ex-secretary Of
the Treasury Folger
For several days proposition has been
under consideration by Secretaries Long
and Alger to form a board. composed of one
officer each from the army and navy. to
systematic and harmonize the defensive
operations along the Atlantic seaboard im
order that there might be no ciashsng be-
tween the two great arms OF the gefern-
ment. 1t Is understood that the proposition
was considered favorahly BY both secreGa.