Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-21
Many Vessels Offered to the Govern
ment.
REORGANIZING TEE STRATEGIC BOARD
Admiral Walker May Succeed Mr..
Roosevelt.
THE MOSQU ITO FLEE1

/
non of the House committee on appropria-
lions, but a number of persons who are try
ing to sell vessels to the government. The
| latter were referred to Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt, who has taken special charge Of
| the ship purchases. The department has
| almost concluded arrangements for the
purchase Of one or two vessels in England
| to be used as GOLFERS. but in advance of the
| completion of the sale the officials do not
| deem it prudent to make public their
| names. There was every disposition on ths
part of the officials to limit the purchase
| to ships of American construction and own
| ership. but in view of q number of bare
| faced attempts at extortion by the owners
| and agents of som, of these craft, the de-
| partment feels warranted in going abroad
| and securing suitable vessels at very mod
| crate cost.
Rear Admiral Hughes, a retired naval Of
| ficer of the mature aga of seventy-six years.
! residing in this city. filed his application
| with the Navy Department today for resto-
| ration to active service in the event of hos
| tiities. While il is not likely that the d.
partment will be obliged to avail itself Of
| this offer. Secretary Long was gratified at
| the patriotic spirit entertained by the 'old
| sea dog.
To Command the Mosquito Fleet.
SECRETARY Long has designated Command
| er Horace Elmer to have charge of what is
| known as the mosquito fleet. Commander
| Elmer has been engaged for several weeks
pest, under orders of the department, in
| preparing list of vessels suitable for the
| wants of this auxiliary to the naval estab-
! lishna mt. There are numerous small craft
! in all portions of the country which will be
| utilized in this service in the event of war
| The ships will be manned. when possible, by
| the naval militia of the several states. A
| naval officer probably will BE- assigned to
| the command of each one of the fleets.
! Their work is to be mainly in the direc ton
| of local defense.
| Latest Naval Orders.
| The following naval orders We're issued
| today:
| Assistant Surgeon ]. C. Pryor, from the
| hospital at Mare Island to the Albatross.
Lieut.. H. X. Hines, from charge of the
| branch photographic Office at Savannah to
| the Niagara
Ensign R. Mclean, from the Franklin
| TO the Armenia.
Chief Ensign Il. C. Denig, from the
| Constitution to the Niagara.
Lieut.. G. c. Hanus, from the Newport
| to await orders.
The following officers are detached from
| the Newport and were ordered home, plac-
ed waiting orders: Lieut.. j. Fehrby
| Lieut.. A. Rust. Lieut. E T. Witherspoon
| Ensign e. L. Bissett, Surgeon c. Biddle
and Passed Assistant Surgeon c. H. T.
! Lowndes.
| Lieut.. Commander ]. C. Wilson, sick
| leave extended ten days.
Assistant Engineer T.. Winship, from the
| Bennington to the Alert
Chief Engineer II. L. Cleaver from the
| Alert to the Bennington.
| Passed Assistant Engineer E. T. War
| burton, from the Bancroft to the New
! Orleans.
Commander H. Elmer. ordered to take
charge of the mosquito fiotilla
Lieut.. F. H. Brown, from the Adams to
| the Pensacola
Passed Assistant Engineer w. P. VIM
chell, from the Adams to the Pensacola.
| Lieut.. ]. II. L. Holcombe. from the
Adams to the receiving ship Independence.
Ensign c. ]. Lang, from the Adams to
| the Pensacola.
| Chief Engineer J. S. Ogden, from the
| Bennington to await orders.
Passed Assistant Surgeon c. p Eagg,
| from the Adams to the Pensacola.
w
| bash to the Franklin.
Passed Assistant Surgeon A. Farenholt
from the Independent to the hospital at
| Mare Island.
The Board of Strategy.
| The proposed transfer of Mr.. Theodore
| Roosevelt from the navy to the military
| service will necessitate reorganization of
| the naval strategic board, charged with
the important duty Of preparing plans of
I naval operations. AS at present organized,
| this board consists of Assistant Secretary
| Roosevelt, Rear Admiral Walker, retired;
| Captain A. l.. Barker, Commander Rich
| ardSon Glover and Commander Crownin-
shield. In addition to Mr.. Roosevelt, it is
probable that Captain Barker and Com
mander Clover will shortly be assigned to
| other duties. In fact, Commander Clover
| is already under orders to hold himself in
| readiness to command the gunboat Ban
croft, forming part of the defense of the
harbor of Boston. Captain Barker has also
applied for sea duty, and he will undoubt-
| eddy be given good command at THO first
opportunity. 1t is probable that he will
| be placed in command of the cruiser New
ark. This vessel has undergone extensive
repairs at the Norfolk navy yard and Is
! expected to be ready for service within q
| few weeks.
Rear Admiral Sicard, formerly in COM
| mand of the North Atlantic squadron. and
now on duty in the Office Of Secretary Long
| in an advisory capacity, will probably be
made member of the strategic board a
| duty for which he is known to be especial
| ly well fitted.
New Assistant Secretary.
Although not yet settled, there is ground
| for the belief that In case Assistant Secre-
! tary Roosevelt adheres to his present pur-
pose Of entering the military service he
| will be succeeded in the Office Of assistant
secretary of the navy by Rear Admiral
Walker, now his chief assistant on the
strategic board. Admiral Walker Is on the
retired list, and is said to have been a can
didate for the Office of assistant secretary
at the time of Mr.. Roosevelt's appoint
| ment. Many naval officials regard him as
! specially well equipped for the duties of
assistant secretary, both by reason of his
naval education and experience and his
| calm and conservative judgment.
The Attack ON Havana.
ST hope" said a prominent naval officer
| today, who has given much thought to the
| subject, THAT the plan of operation decided
upon by the department will not include an
attack by our fleet on MORO Castle and the
forts at Cabanas as the first stroke Of the
campaign. If wo do this, many Of our ships
| are sure to be crippled and sent home for