The Saint Paul globe., 1898-05-25

the authority to enlist that number of
men, but a compromise was effected as
to the boats. Instead of receiving au-
thority to buy 125 boats he got author
ity to secure eighty five.
Among the boats put on patrol duty
are number of ferry boats. Each
four nine-inch smooth-bore guns,
throwing shells weighing about seven
ty-f1ve pounds. If ferry boat has oc-
casion to fire on vessel violating the
regulations of the harbor which the
boat is patrolling, Admiral Erben says
the offender will be promptly blown
into kingdom come.
ON PATROL DUTY.
The ferry boats are on patrol duty in
Boston harbor. Others secured for ser
vice are on duty at New York harbor
and elsewhere. One of these big craft,
according to the present plan, will be
stationed outside the Hook. Another
may be stationed at the upper end of
the Narrows. Two more will be sta
toned off Newport, and five in the race
between Fishers and Gull islands.
There are about a dozen converted
yachts, which, when ready for sea duty,
will be turned over to the admiral.
The rest Of the patrol fleet will be
made up of tugs and other boats.
One of the best boats so far received
is an ice crusher which was built by
the city of Philadelphia to keep the
Delaware riven open in winter. She is
built Of steel, with a displacement Of
about 1000 tons. She will be fitted out
and armed like gunboat, and will be
assigned to Lieutenant Commander
Reeder, who commands the patrol fleet
of the Fouth Lighthouse district, from
Barnegat to Cape Hatteras.
RUSHING WORK.
Very satisfactory reports are received
at Washington regarding the progress
Of the work on the Kentucky and Kear-
sarge, which were recently launched at
Newport News. The progress on the
two big battleships, the most ambi-
tious craft Of war yet undertaken by
any nation on earth is so rapid that the
change is actually noticeable from day
to day. By November 1, If the war
continues so long, it is believed that
both will be ready for service.
Orders have not yet been issued to
push the work on the battleships by
resorting to night labor, but there is
reason to believe that the navy depart
ment Is contemplating this step, not
only in connection with the completion
of the Kearsarge and the Kentucky,
but the Illinois, which Is also building
at Newport News the Alabama, build
ing at Cramps, and the Wisconsin,
building at San Francisco, as WELL It
is known that the Cramps are pushing
the Alabama in order to get 1T complet-
ed before the Kearsarge and the Ken
lucky II possible.
The contract for the latter ships were
signed year before the Illinois. the
Alabama and the Wisconsin contracts.
and should the Alabama be turned out
before the two sister ships the Cramps
will undoubtedly get credit, although it
must be taken into consideration that
three big ships are being built at New
port News to one at Cramps.
TAKING CHANCES.
AS an illustration Of the way work is
being rushed on the Kentucky and
Kearsarge it Is said that the boilers
have been put in place on the Kear-
sarge at considerable risk
For some weeks the officials have
been waiting the completion of a 14O-
ton travelling crane before daring to
transfer the six boilers to the ship, but
orders were received from the navy de-