Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-09
OUR MOSQUITO FLEET
TUGS AND CRUISERS NOW ALMOST
READY FOR SERVICE.
PAYDAY At NORFOLK MAYNARD.
One Hundred md Thirty Thousand
Dollars tn be Observation-Disclosures
latiOn of Coal-TOwn News.

NORFOLK, VA, April s.-(Special)--
Gently purchased by the government and
of revenue cutters turned over to the
Navy Department for conversion into
auxiliary cruisers is now almost ready for
service. Armor belts from to inches
in thickness have been placed around the
steel hulls OF the boats, and about the
only thing remaining TO be done Is to
mount their rapid-fire guns. The assign
ment of the younger naval officers to the
full command Of these vessels has given
general satisfaction in naval circles, and
the mosquito feet will surely be heard
from. All is In readiness for the immedi-
ate conversion into auxiliary cruisers OF
the big Morgan Line steamships Ell Rio
and FL Sud. as soon as they arrive at the
Norfolk navy-yard. One will arrive here
on the Ilth. and another on the 18th in
slant, and a large force will be put to
work on them Immediately.
THE MONTGOMERY.
The cruiser Montgomery. whose bottom
became exceedingly foul during her stay
in Habana harbor, has been cleaned tho
roughly, and will come out Of dry-dock
tomorrow. as will the dynamite cruiser
Vesuvius, which has also been thorough
ly overhauled.
The tremendous force which has been
worked night and day for the past seve-
raj weeks will tomorrow be paid the
largest sum ever disbursed at this yard
for a months work The March payroll
is $1,000. $4,000 of which is for the past
fortnight's work. This Is 10000 in excess
OF the ...ghest sum paid during the con-
struction of the Raleigh and Texas. One
hundred and eighty thousand dollars will
probably be spent this month.
AN ACCUMULATION OF COAL.
The fact that the outbreak of HOSTILE
ties wou.- greatly interfere with loading
coal in such an important port as Nor
folk, and the further consideration that
in the event of conflict fuel is contra
band of war and liable co seizure on the
high seas by Spanish cruisers, has led to
the rapid accumulation of large quanti-
ties of Pocahontas coal by. parties who
fear they may be unable to procure it af-
ter awhile. The loading facilities here
have been taxed almost to their full ca
pacity TO supply the increased demand
and many vessels are waiting for berths
at the piers.
QUARANTINE VIOLATIONS.
Violations of the quarantine laws at
this port are becoming so frequent that
the government officers are determined
To take very decided steps to terminate
the unlawful practice The complaint that
the tug Louise went alongside a British
steamship at the Cape Charles outer
quarantine station is being investigated
by Collector Bowden.
To-day another report was received
from Dr. Pettus-this time against the
tug C. w. Ridley. for going alongside and
communicating with the Norwegian
steamship Blaamanden in quarantine
This occurred on the 9Th instant. Itxyil
be investigated by Mr.. Bowden. Ii has
also been reported by Or. Pettus to
Washington. The Baamanden is from
Bremen.
Lieutenant w. G. Miller, Jr., of the
United States navy, and Miss Elizabeth
McCalla. daughter OF Commander Nc
Gala, of the navy, will be married at the
Chamberlin Hotel, Old Point Comfort, to-
morrow.
TO IMPROVE THE CITY'S MORALS
Inc ministers Oh lnlS city nave formed
an organization, the object of which is to
take proper measures to enforce the OBJ
servance of all laws passed for the i'm
provement OF the moral status Of the city
Considerable dissatisfaction has been
caused in Norfolk and Portsmouth by
the sending by the Navy Department of
clerks, copyists, etc, from Washington
Baltimore. and other cities to the Nor
folk navy-yard. The matter may be
brought to the attention Of Secretary
Long.
The jury in the case Of Tom Williams
(colored), on trial for his life, in the Cor
poration Court, upon the charge of house,
breaking and attempted criminal assault.
rendered verdict of acquittal.
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Page 6.