The sun., 1898-03-24

the original intention Of tho Navy Depart
mont TO concentrate oil four Of these
low froeboard Armorolads at Port Royal,
a central location, allowing their re-
moval 10 Key West or Hampton Roads
without much loss OF time. The department
decided later however, that the monitors were
too slow for use In an emergency OF the Florida
coast or at some Northern port, and determined
to take the chances Of assigning two Of them TO
the big squadron in waters adjacent TO Cuba.
Partly for tho purposes of providing naval de-
fences for New York Philadelphia, and Boston,
but largely TO satisfy clamor from these sides,
tho naval administration to-day arranged to
station two Of the obsolete wartime monitors
at New York, two at Boston, and to retain
four In tho vicinity of Philadelphia. Tho
vessels which will take the place OF
the Terror in New York harbor are the
Nahant and the Jason. Like the other six they
will receive fairly good engines and boilers, and
the two 15-inch sulooth-bore guns ON each win
be put In serviceable condition. The Jason and
Nahant will be put in dry dock at League Island
to have their steam valves renovated before de-
parture for Now York. Otherwise they arc
ready for the voyage. Boston will have tho
protection afforded by the Catskin and
LehiRh, both OF which are ready for departure.
Tho monitors to romnn at League Island for tho
the Mahopac. all in need of new boilers. and the
Montauk, in condition for service.
All these vessels were built during the civil
war after tho Monitor defeated the Merrimac.
They woro considered very formidable in their
youth, but are now not 70 be classed with
renovated armor clads Of their type such ~ tho
Terror and the Puritan. Protests received at
the Navy Department from Boston. Philadelphia
and New York, that these ports were without
ADEQUATE protection from q hostile feet, caused
the Navy Department to overhaul tho monitors
named and apsign them to those places. Anavy
official was asked to-day as to what would be
expected of these obsolete craft In an attack on
the cities thoy will help defend.
"well," he said. they might stop q cruiser. 4"
The cruiser New Orleans and the flagship San
sail from Gravesend for New York on Friday
and to make the voyage within ten days. On
arrival they will be fitted out at the Brooklyn
Navy Yard for immediate service with the
North Atlantic feet The selection Of COM
mander for the new ship will be made after she
reaches this country. There is some prob
ability now that the San Francisco
will be assigned to the squadron to
be formed in Hampton Roads, with the
Brooklyn as flagship. She is reported in good
condition after an ovcrhauling at Genoa. and
her high speed and great stcaminR radius would
render her especially well adapted for service
with the newly organized second division. The
Now Orleans will be commanded by a Captain.
and rs there is no other billet open to Capt.
sigsbee. his name is being mentioned in connec-
tion with her. Capt. Sigsbee is believed to be
anxious to be assigned again to sea service.
The naval ordnance factory at the Washing
ton Navy Yard to-day shipped the new guns for
the cruiser Charleston at Marc Island. Cal. New
guns for the cruiser Newark will be sent to
Mare Island next week.