The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-16
Merchant Vessels, Yachts and
Tugs at Disposal OF Uncle
Sam.

New York. March IA The board
oo auxiliary cruisers of the United
States navy which was appointed to
acquire ships of the merchant marine
for use in the event Of the breaking ont
of war, met for organization to-day
The new board supercedes the Office of
United States inspector of merchant
vessels, which has been held by Lieuten-
ant Commander j D. j. Kelley, iu
this city since May of last year. Com
mander Kelley is member of the new
board.
A member of the board said to-day
that i. had power TO preenpt any ves-
sel that had been constructed under
the subeidy of congress and was en-
gagged 10 carrying the mails.
The board organized with the eelec-
tion Of Capt. Frederick Rodgers of the
naval board of inspection aod survey,
as president Lieut.. Sergeant. recorder
Of the board of inspection, as secretary,
aud Lieutenant Commander Kelley as
adviser.
The board inspected the ST. Louis
and the New York of the American line
this afternoon.
Capt. Rodgers has very positive in.
structions to make thorough ipspec-
lions and immediate report. He has
been directed to examine alI steam
ships available for auxiliary cruisers
and supplies transports, fast tugs for
use as rams, and steam yachts that
could be quickly transferred into SER
viceable torpedo boats. He has been
instructed also to telegraph bis recon-
mendations to the secretary S the
navy so that action may be taken
without unnecessary delay. 1t was
said by member of the board this
morning that the departments orders
we're "hnrry up'' orders. aud that the
work of the board would be completed
as expedi.iously as possible.
Another member of the board said !:
"Juss as soon as our mission here
had been announced, We began to re.
ceive offers from the steamship COM
panies. The owners Of all the available
American steamships 10 the barbor. |
believe L am safe 10 saying, have placed
their vessels at our dispoasl Merchant
vessels, tugs and yachts are included 10
this. We have had particularly large
pumber of yachts offered to us and We
will. no doubt. enter toto negotiations
for number Of these"
The St.. Louis is advertised to sail on
Wednesday, but it was admitted by an
official Of the company this morning
that he did not know whether or not
she would do so.
Washington, March 14-The re-
ported sale to the United States OF
the two Brazilian cruisers, ANA
zonas and Admiral Abreuall. now re-
ceiving their finishing touches in an
English shipyard, was confirmed here
this afternoon. 1t is learned that
Spain has not secured the O'Higgins,
and that Chile will not sci; her TO
Spain. 1t is said furthermore that
Spain has not and cannot purchase
ships from either Chile or the Ar
gentine Republic
Orders have been sent to Com
modore Howell, commanding the
European station, to send a force of
men from the San Francisco to take
possession and hoist the United States
flag on the Brazilian chip that is ready
to 20 into commission at Newcastle.
This will prevent any difficulty in
case hostilities should break out, as
the ship would be under the flag, but
lying in friendly harbor.
The two vessels will be extremely
useful additions to the United States
navy in either war or peace, in the
opinion of Secretary Long. who ac-
enowledges they have been bought
by the United States They are steel,
sheathed and coppered, with twin
screws, and will be the frs: of the
cruisers in our navy to embody that
most useful feature of naval construc-
ton, sheatbing, for which Chief Con.
structor Hich born has worked earnest.
ly from many years past. He finally
succeeded in having some Of the small
er gunboats constructed on this prin-
ciple. The Amazonas is rated at 81
600 tons displacement, with an indi-
Gated horse power under natural
draught of $500, which is calculated
to develop 20 knots speed. Thus,
while the ship is about the size of the
Charleston. che is much faster. Her