The evening times., 1898-05-12
A REAL HARBoR PATROL.
Several Steamers Fired ON in New
York Ray.


York Ray.
New York. May 12.-Rear Admiral Err
ben's mosquito patrol fleet. which Is TO
guard the naval fields in the harbors and
from an inner line of naval defense. is
in a fair way to become a reality at last.
Admiral Erben Is In Boston arranging
for the transfer to the Government of
the boats City Of Boston and the Rus
sell, and Commander Field, who has
charge OF his Office in his absence. re-
ceived word yesterday that the converted
tugs Tecumseh, Sioux and Algonquin and
the revenue cutter Morrill, had been or
dered detached from the North Atlantic
squadron, and were TO be assigned TO
the mosquito feet. They will come north
at once.
The Tecumseh was formerly the Ed
ward Luckenbach; the Sioux. the p. Fl.
Wise and the Algonquin, the El Toro. All
are stanch, seagoing tugs, about ninety
feet long, and capable of mounting g.
FOUNDER rapid-fre guns. They were among
the first boats acquired for the Navy by
the board on auxiliary cruisers. The
three tugs will probably be assigned to
duty in New York harbor, and the Nor
rill in Chesapeake Bay.
Commander Field also received word
yesterday that the mosquito fleet would
shortly be augmented by the yachts Rest
less, Viking, Aileen and Thespio. which
are now being converted into gunboats
at the Brooklyn navy yard. They will
be ready for service in a few days. and
probably will also be assigned to duty
in New York harbor.
The next difficulty which presents itself
is to find men for the vessels. As the
auxiliary coast defense system is at
present constituted. Admiral Erben has
neither authority to enlist men nor money
to pay them when enlisted. Both he and
his officers are waiting for the passage of
House resolution No. 257, which appro-
PIRATES 81, 600 900 for the formation Of an
auxiliary naval force.
The first of the regular patrol fleet, the
converted yacht Freehance, went into
commission at the navy yard yesterday
afternoon. Lieut.. J. C. Hanos is in COM
mand of her, but no men have been pro-
vided yet.
to the rescue OF the Government again.
The five days for which he loaned eight
tugs manned by the State Naval Militia,
to patrol the mine fields of New York
harbor expired last night, and the loan
has been renewed for five days more. It
will not be renewed again, but by the
time 1t expires Admiral Erben expects to
have his fleet in commission.
The State fleet was augmented yester-
day by the yacht Llewellyn. whose own
er, Lewis Carr, has lent her to the patrol
for as long a time as she may be needed.
Lieut.. Commander ForShew, OF the Naval
Militia. made her his flagship yesterday.
The Llewellyn is $50 feet long and can
steam seventeen knots an hour. A. L.
who was formerly paymas-
ter in the Second Battalion of the Naval
Militia. also lent his fast yacht Presto
to be used as dispatch boat
between the signal stations in the Great
South Bay. which are manned by men,
oers of the Naval Militia. She Is an eX-
.remely fast boat.
Commander Stayton, who has charge OF
the harbor patrol, reported one instance
If the enthusiasm of the amateur tars
lnder his command. He sent down ten
men yesterday morning to relieve some of
hose who had been cruising for five days |
)f Sandy Hook. They. however, refused |
o be relieved, and the relief party came |
pack strongly expressing disappointment. |
Commander Stayton also reported that |
he tug Edward G. Burgess, towing two !
mud scows had been fired on yesterday |
morning in the Narrows, by the Fred B. |
0alzell. for running over the mine fields. |
lWO SnOtS were HIeO from Lee-MetfOrd |
life by Ensign Tuzo, who commanded the |
)alzell. before the captain Of the Burgess |
stopped He then pleaded that he had |
,een carried out Of his course by his tow |
lie had torn loose a white buoy and foul |
ID another before he was stopped.
While this was going on the tug Robert |
:. Smith ran through the mine fields and /
scaped. The captain of the Angler, a |
isring boat, has been reported to the pi- 1
OF commissioners, by the patrol, for re-
'eated violations Of the harbor regula-
ions.
1t was also reported yesterday that at /
o'clock on Tuesday night, the Starin /
me boat Erastus Corning had been fired |
n near Willets Point, by a patrol boat
'wo shots from a rifle brought her to a /
The Corning was detained un-
Il dawn and yesterday afternoon an off,
ial of the line called at Admiral Erben's
flee and registered a vigorous protest,
ecause he declared the Continental, of
he New Haven line had been allowed to
ass out two hours later. The Coatinen-
al, 1t Is explained. evaded the patrol.
Kobe. the Great nsupsptSon Cure.
he only remedy that positively cures in |