The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-17

is large, roomy and airy, formerly piled
between New York and Savannah, but was
laid up because of complaint about her
boilers So far as the accommodate tons
are concerned the vessel, after some neces-
sary work. would make an admirable am
bulance ship, but the lack of boilers,
which 1t would take several months to re-
place, limits her adaptability for use at the
present time.
The surgeon general has In view several
ships which, with but limited expendi-
ture of money, could be changed into am
bulance ships, but he will be compelled to
await the report of the special board
which is examining into the question of
auxiliary cruisers before taking any ac-
ton.
The war department Is making ready
for another big contract hooking TO the
procurement of lot of shot and she'll
An advertisement has just been issued
calling for cast iron projectiles for sea-
coast cannon" The bids are made re-
turnable next Monday at O'Clock at the
ordnance Office, war department. The shot
and she'll are of the heaviest description,
1877 ten-inch solid shot, $40 twelve-inch
mortar shells, weighing 500 pounds each.
and 500 twelve-inch mortar shells weign-
ing 1000 pounds each being wanted These
projectiles are entirely different from the
Sl,UUOVvU WORTH OIQHIEb SNHASTuhY lINSS
were wrought steel shot and shell known
as armor plercers and intended for at
tack upon battleships, monitors and such
armored vessels. Those called for now
are for use either against lightly armor-
er or unarmored ships, or else for deck
piecers," being fired from the mortars
with a plunging fire into the deck of yes
sells lying out at sea. Being of cast metal
these projectiles, IL is expected, will be
much cheaper than the armor piercers al
ready ordered.
The equipment bureau OF the navy de-
partment has prepared Itself for the equip
ment at very short notice of any vessel
of the auxiliary navy that may be ac-
quired with the most approved signalling
devices now employed
Considering the competition offered by
The navy and marine corps, in the enlist
ment of recruits, the war department. feels
that it is doing very well in securing men
for the artillery regiments. The adjutant
generals report to-day was that 220 men
had been secured. This is at the rate of
800 per month, and about as fast as the
men can be properly taken care Of
Adjt. Gen. Corbin yesterday received a
military visitor, who said he was fresh
from the, battlehelds of Cuba and desired
to arrange with him for the immediate
investment of the port of Havana. He
was dressed in military uniform OF green
cloth, and said he was ready to take the
field at once. He gave his name as Lieut..
Col. Jorg A Rivera y Monez, Fourth Army
Corps, Cuban Army, and said he had come
from Gen. Mayria Rodriguez, second in
command To use his own words, he
"was just from the field and had blood
on his boots" and he gave every indica-
tion of being earnest and eager for the
fray. What he desired was an army of
5000 from the United States with which
to begin the invasion of Cuba, and his
plan was TO fire on MORO castle and sack
the city of Havana. Gen. Corbin treated
him courteously and sase he would see him
later about the army of invasion.