The National tribune., 1898-04-07

1t is thought possible that the battleship
Massachusetts, being SOmewha slower than
the rest of the fleet viii be supplanted in
the squadron by the New York and the
average Of speed and fast fighting capabili
ties OF the squadron viii be increased.
The great point Of vantage of this feet,
however, IS in thickness OF arIllor, caiiher
of guns and the fighting dual es Of the
men. There are five 13-nch guns on the
proposed American flying squadron, while
the whole Spanish navy has not one, and
only two 12-jnch guns. OF Finch guns
our Squadron has four and of eight-inch
guns II. SPANS four selected vessels
have five 11-inch guns and the rest are
mainly fiYc-Inch. J hesc are the POINTS OF
advantage that Commodore Schley'S feet
would like 10 demonstrate in actual fight.
The Government has been buying ships
nearly every day. Ten vessels were or
dered, on Monday. TO be bought in New
York. These vessels were selected by the
Auxiliary Cruiser Board and are from 2 600
TO 5000 tons burden, and capable OF per
forming any sea duty.
IT is not likely that The yacht May flowers
name viii be changed. but she is being
fitted up into a formidable eunbOat, carry
ing two FIVE inch guns ON the lOrecaStlc and
poop, five 12-pOundcrS in DrOadSidc and
two torpedo tubes.
Over 200 young physicians have applied
for positions rs Ship Surgeons, but few OF
AiiSEl WISH 10 accept permanent cODlfDlS-
SIO1S. The Department has no authority.
however. 10 accept them on any other
basis. The Navy is short of SuTgeone and
the SurceOn-Ccnerai advises that higher
inducements be offered He wants Sur
geons commissioned as Junior Licutcnants
which would give them quarters IN the
ward room. The objection made TO this is
that u the doctors were given it. the Incn-
GERS and PaymaSters would ut once ask
for the same and the old trouble between
the Line and Staff would break out
afreSh.
The Chaplains seem 10 be the only bill
lets not particularly desired in the Navy
The Naval Rurcau Of Ordnance has con-
tracted for zoo, 600 pounds OF brown pow
der. which is probably the largest single
order ever given. This was divided be
tween the California Powder Company and
| the Dupont Powder Company. These con-
| Germs together are furnishing the Bureau
! about 20,000 pounds daily, and within q
week or so II is expected the capacity Of
! these two works viii lie brought up TO 40
! 000 pounds Of powder daily. The order is
sufficient in the aggregate to give 200
rounds for every gun afoat in the Amcri-
/ can Navy. and with. this large supply on
| hand the Navy. for The FIRST time in years.
! will BE morc than amply supplied with
powder.
| The demand from the Hydrographic Office
/ OF the Navy Department for charts has
/ been so great that it has become neces-
! sary 10 increase the force, ard work il in
| two shifts OF eight hours each, in order
! to try TO meet tie emergency. The i'm
pOrtance OF this branch OF The Govern
ment service can hardly he realized by one
not familiar with the character Of the work
carried on. With the aid of these charts,
which are perfect in every detail. q yes
| sci can be taken along the coast without
! the least fear Of running on a shoal. The
! location of wrecks are also inserted in the
| charts Us FAST as they are reported TO the
! Bureau, so that ships may avoid them.
The marines on the coast defense vessel
| Monadnock at San Francisco have been
ordered 10 the East and will dcpar. at once
| for the Norfolk Naval Station. This is q. G
| first call ON the actual fighting men sta
| toned ON this coast, though several officers
| had previously received orders to go 10 the
| Atlantic.