The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-19
Auxiliary Cruisers New York and
Paris Rechristened Harvard and
Yale, Respectively.
HOWELL GIVEN A COMMAND
THE COMMODORE PLACED IN
CHARGE OF THE PATROL FLEET.
Sicard's Sick Leave Revoked, and the
Admiral Assigned to Duty In
the Navy Department..

WASHINGTON, April 1S.--It was stated
at the Navy Department this afternoon
that the efforts to secure the Chilean battle
ship O'Higgins have been practically aban-
doned and that there is no longer any pros
poets that the United States desires or will
be able to secure any more war ships either
belonging to foreign nations or being built
in foreign ship yards Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt said this afternoon that it was
more than probable that the department
hereafter would confihe it's efforts in this
direction to the requirement of yachts, tugs
and small craft generally for the purposes
of the auxiliary navy.
Probably with the view of awaiting him
self of the large experience of Rear Adj
miral Sicard, Secretary Long has revoked
the sick leave of that officer and ordered
him to duty in his own office at the, Navy
Department. The admiral at presenC is al
his home, in New York State, and is ex-
pected to report at the department within
the next twenty-four hours Being thor
oughly familiar with every detail of con-
struction and the strength and weakness of
all the vessels of the fleet under Captain
Simpsons command, as we'll as those now
lying at Hampton Roads under command of
Commander Schley, the admiral is expected
department
in the arrangements of any plans of cam
paign.
The steamship ST. Paul is at the Cramps
ship yard for rehtting. 1t is believed that
about ten days, working day and night will
serve to make the necessary al
terations in the boat She will be
protected with light armor over vital
points, such as the engines, boilers and
II ic
will undertake voluntarily to cope with
full-hedged ships carrying heavy guns and
protected by armor. but she is fleet enough
70 escape from such craft and her field of
operations will probably be confined to the
running down of craft of her own kind that
may be commissioned by the Spanish gov
eminent as priYateers or commerce de-
stroyers. >
The reports that have reached the Navv
Department from England tend to discour-
age the idea that the torpedo boat Somers
now lying at Falmouth under convoy of the
cruiser Topeka, can be safely trusted across
the ocean under her own steam. This might
be accomplished in mild summer weather.
but the little boat was never designed bv
her German builders to undertake an At
lantlc passage in the springtime. 1t is
thought 1T may be possible to bring her
across on the deck of some big English
tramp steamer
Ine Navy Department has changed its
plans as to the Venezuela just purchased
from the Red d line Instead of using
the vessel as an auxiliary cruiser as origin
ally intended. she is now destined to be en-
ployed as a transport for marines These
Will be gathered up at the principal Atlantic
ports, placed on the Venezuela and trans
ported to Key West and Hampton Roads
for delivery tc the fleets there The Ven
ezuela is at present at the Morgan iron
works, New York, where work has begun
on her Commander G. G. Reiter. now
at the Norfolk navy yard, will command
the Venezuela, and Commander Asrath
now at the Portsmouth IN h navy yard.
will command the Yumuri.
Secretary Long to-day decided to assign
Commodore Howell to command the newly
organized patrol fleet. consisting of the
Yosemite, the Prairie, the Yankee and the
Dixie. This detail for Commodore Howell
is solution of a difficulty which has been
confronting the department ever since his
return from the European station. Secre-
tary Long was very anxious to avail him
self of the experience of Commodore Howell
but found some difficulty in doing so. in
view Vi the idcC tf1dE he OutrdnkS both
Commodore ScEley and Captain Sampson in
command of the two fleets. Neither of these
officers could in justice have been relieved
to make room for Commodore Howell and
the creation OF the new fleet solves the diff
Guilty. 1t is probable that the San Fran
cisco will be retained by Commodore Howell
as his flagship, thus materially increasing
the strength of the coast squadron.
Paris have been rechristened Harvard and
Yale, respectively.