The times., 1898-05-08

the Hudson and the New Orleans, Of the
Cromwell line, and are designed for use
a. transports or supply ships.
Messrs. Tawresey. Patch and Dixon, of
the board went to Boston to inspect
several vessels. Passed Assistant En-
gineer 6. W McElroy, who has been
detailed for duty as assistant engineer
aH the converted yacht Corsair, has been
assigned 10 duty with the board, during
the absence Of Chief Engineer Dixon in
Boston.
Navy Nard Work
New York. May THE colIiers Abaron-
da and Hesperia arrived in the East Riv-
er yesterday morning and steamed to the
entrance Of the navy yard basin. The
former was taken in tow by navy yard
tugs and placed alongside the Cob Dock.
The Hesperia was headed of by the tugs
and her captain was told that the Gov
eminent officers had not accepted her
and she was not allowed TO enter the
yard. She then was headed down stream
and half an hour later she anchored in
Tae upper bay
The steam yachts Viking and Thespia
were taken out Of dry dock No. and are
now lying with their war paint on at
the dock at the foot or Main Street.
The collier kingtoT. which arrived in
the yard three days ago. was placed in
dry dock No > yesterday morning and a
gang Of mechanics and machlnists went
ID work at once on her to make the al
terations which were deemed necessary
bv the board OF construction.
The auxiliary cruiser Yankee was still
caaIng and awaiting the arrival of
breech- blocks for her guns 10 complete
her main battery. Ii was said that The
Yankee would leave the yard today and
anchor OF Tompkinsville. s. l. to avail
fiudl Instructions from Washington.
The guns are being mounted on the
steam yachts Aileen and Restless. The
latter iS In the Wallab1ut basin and the
former a. the Cuintard Iron Works on
,-ae New York side Of the river.
The Columbia.
Bos on. Mass. May The United
States cruiser Columbia anchored off
Boston Light last night. coming from
cruise along the coast OF Maine and
the north shore Of Massachusetts. She
VIII come up 10 President Roads, in Bos-
ton harBor tomorrow. to take on coal
Ia is suggested that Prvincetown be
made q coaling station, for the greater
convenience Of the warships. They do
not like the hazard Of navigating Bos
or mines and torpedoes-
The Lancaster has been Overhauled and
painted lead color at the navy yard. and
l. 70 be ready for sea early next week
The ram Katahdin, which began 10 take
on coal al her anchOage of the saluiing
battery on Wednesday. is still coaling
The cruiser san Francisco lay al Prov
fneetown all day, but at 6 o'clock left
or a shore cruise.
Naval Reserve Home Guards
Secretary Long evinces a disposition to
Keep the naval militia forces Of Illinois
and Ohio in their States, notwithstand-
5ns three distinct urgent written recon-
mendations made by Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt in the las, week that they be
brough- East and assigned 10 duty IN the
mosquito fleet or at the New York navy
yard The organizations Of these States
as We'll as that Of Michigan, We're estaa-
Iished with the special view OF protect
ing the Great Lakes in the event Of wal
with Great Britain-a contingency SC
remote that, according to the reports oi
inspection officers. that Great Lakes mi
ItIa battaliors were not inspired to the
same degree as the naval auxiliaries or
the Atlantic Coas-. and they were there
fore not in as good condition for actual
service when the war with Spain was
proclaimed TO exist.
The Michigan divisions however Sc
cured orders for active duty, and heard
ly entered the service as ordinary sea
men. abandoning their organization with
out hesitation. II is not understood al
the Navy Department that the Illinois
and Ohio divisions have volunteered Ia
accept any duty 10 which they may be
assigned. and until the Navy Department
receives such assurances Of the most pos
ftive character, il is not likely that they
viii be mustered into service. Practical
ly the same attitude is exhibited in re-
gard 10 the naval militia organizations
of Missouri Louisiana, Georgia. South
Carolina and Virginia The Rhode Isl
and battalion has. however. been ordered
10 the Newport training station for du-
~. and the Connecticut divisions are
held in reserve for signal or harbor duty
al New York.
All quiet Iva the Cana=ies.
FunchaI. Canary Islands May T.
There were no warships al Tenerife May
4 No excitement prevails in the Grand
Canaries.
Mines Being Laid AT CardeBas.
Key West. May News directly from
Cardenas says Spanish officers are busy
laying mines in the harbor. The United
States ship OF that port Is watching this
work. bat has not interfered. preferring
20 be outside trying to entice three gun
boats out Of the harbOr from behind q
spur 81 land.
We left the Machias. says the sender OF
this message, who was on board the dis
patch boat Sommers y. Smith, to the east
OF Cardenas. having told her commandel
his first news Of the Manila battle. When
we told him he could have the latest
newspapers If he cared 10 get "A boat
down. a boat was lowered at once and
sent Tor the papers
Then we were asked If we could spar,
some vegetables and replied we coulc
send some potatoes. This fact was hailed
with delight, and the ncwspa pers and pO
tatoes went aboard together.
When we picked up the Dolphin off TIa
vana We were asked the news and on civ
ing them the story Of the Manila fight ".
heard strong voice from the bridge Civ,
orders for three cheers for Dewey Cheer
with . viii came IN a volley from all Owe
the ship, and the dispatch boat moved on
We gave the news 10 other ships an,
were hailed as harbingcrs OF good thing
all along the line.
Defending Chesapeake Bay.
Baltimore, May Eight fully arme,
fast sailing steamers viii compose In
Chesapeake Bay defense feet. TO &c int,
commission next week. or as soon there
after as the vessels can be secured ant
armed. Commander c. r Hutchins, o
the Navy. who VIII be in charge. re
ceived orders today TO close contract
for the vessels and organize his fleet I'm
E,Ortaslt duties win devolye on these de
fense boats. They viii patrol the tw,
hundred miles Of Chesapeake Bay.
gunbOat and & topedo boat viii cruis
ana elEs a. he az