The record-union., 1898-03-11
NO WARSH|PS HAVE
YET Been PURCHASED.

the day the board changed it's plans,
and finally started directly for New Or
leans. 1t had been informed that
there are a number of good men to be
had on the Gulf Coast, and Commander
Hawiey will open temporary headquar-
ters in the gulf cities as he goes along,
just as was done by him in the West
last summer.
AUXILIARY CRUISERS.
A conference was held at 3 o'clock
in the Office of Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt to map out plans for armlng
and equipping merchant vessels as
auxiliary cruisers. Mr.. Roosevelt pre-
sided, and others present were Captain
Crowninshield of the Bureau of Navi-
CATION. Captain ONeill of the Bureau
of Ordnance, Chief Hichborne of the
Bureau of Construction, and Command
er Bradford of the Bureau of Yards
and Docks This meeting had been
preceded by a call from President Girls
com of the International Navigation
Company, which owns the four ships,
ST. Louis, ST. Paul, Paris and New
York The board meeting brought out
various bureaus would be called upon
to perform in making these and other
vessels ready as auxiliary cruisers
About % per cent. of this work would
fall to the lot of the Bureau of Con-
struction, which would have charge
of installing magazines, gun mounts,
light protective armor for the guns and
magazines, and the circles on which
the guns swing.
This work, it is said, could be ac-
complished readily within two weeks
are in hand. The Bureau Of Ordnance
could not supply all the guns required
within that short time, although some
seventy or more are now available. The
supply would be adequate. however,
for the most effective auxiliary cruis
ers. and the complete armament of the
merchant ships could proceed as rap
idly as possible thereafter.
MANNING OF THE FLEET.
On the question of manning the aux
Hilary fleet, the Navy Department feels
that the most effective step would be
to enlist into the United States naval
service the present crews of the sew
eral ships. These men are thoroughly
familiar with the vessels, and could
handle them with far greater effect
than green crews of blue Jackets The
ships would be differed from the line
of the regular navy. In the case of
enlisting merchant crew, the pay and
TO the rates paid ordinary sailors, and
the time of enlistment would doubt
less be limited to short periods.
The proposed batteries for the aux
Hilary cruisers consist, in the case Of
the steamships ST. Louis and St Paul.
of eight 6-inch guns, four G-pounders
and four machine guns; the Paris and
New York, twelve 6-inch six 6-poun1-
ers and six machine guns. 1t is de-
signed to give vessels of the Caracas
and Seneca type main battery of
eight 4-inch guns, and from six to
eight rapidfre machine guns. Those
of the Vigilancia class are designed 10
have main battery of six 5-inch and
four finch guns; four 1-pounders and
three machine guns.
The batteries of the auxiliary cruis-
ers on the Pacific Coast, if those should
be called in use, are substantially sim
liar 6-inch guns being the largest ones
designed for use in that service.
AUTOMOBILE TORPEDOES.
The Navy Department finds itself in
comparatively good condition as to the
supply of automobile torpedoes which
constitute one of the most deadly en-
gines of naval destruction. The White
head torpedo is now in general USE
still on hand Fifty Of the Whitehead
torpedoes We're secured a short time
ago. and with these there is a total Of
about $50 on hand. This gives not
only a full outfit for vessels now in
commission, but also the necessary re
serve supply.
WAR PREPARATIONS.