New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-01
NAVY ACTIVITY UNCEASING.
SITES SUGGESTED FOR A BASE OF SUP
PLIES AND A COALING STATION.

SITES SUGGESTED FOX BASE 'r "ti
PLIES AND A COALlNG STATION.
OPTICAL. VISITORS At THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
CAPTAIN sIGsBEE ASSIGNED TO DUTY AS AN
AID TO SECRETARY LoNG-oTHER
OFFICERS DETAILED-MovE
MENTs or wARsHIfs
Washington. March 31.-Apparently there was
no cessation today Of the extraordinary activity
which has prevailed at the Navy Department
throughout the entire month. Now that many
OF the emergency preparations are we'll under
way far as the Department proper Is con-
cernea. more attention Is being devoted to the
broader question Of a plan Of campaign IN inc
event 81 war Under this head comes tho estab-
lishnent Of depot - be used as a base OF
supplies. and on this matter the commercial
interests Of tho country ere making themselves
heard The citizens Of Louisiana have called
forcibly 10 the attention OF the Navy Depart
ment the merits Of New-Orleans.
To-day Senator McEncry and Representatives.
Meyer Ogden and Davey called on Secretary
Long and supplemented the representations or
merchants who were here last week urging the
selection Of New Orleans as a base or supplies
They said tho city. being situated some distance
from the Gulf was bly, safe from attack
BY fleet and. being a railroad centre ana
situated on the Mississippi River. grain and
other supplies could be shipped there In great
abundance The Secretary did not commit him
self The delegation also spoke to the Secre-
tary in regard TO the question OF defences for
the city Of New Orleans, but the Secretary eX-
pressed the opinion that with a formidable
feet in the Gulf and such fortincatons as are
already in existence the city was we'll protected
TyBEE ISLAND AGREED. ON
Representatives McMiln OF Tennessee I'm
deryood and Wheeler. OF Alabama. and Lester.
OF Georgia called Secretary Long to-day to
talk about the selection Of a coaling station on
the Gulf or the Atlantic Coast somewhere IN
the ne,ghborhood of the headquarters or any
feet whose operations might be conducted
in that vicinity il should ensue. AL
ready the Department has taken steps FOR the
establishment Of a station at Tortugas. but
as this is nadequateiy defended at the present
time. little difficulty would be experienced by
a hostile feet in plundering H. Four places
which N the opinion Of the delegation would
make desirable locations for coaling stations
were pointed out 10 the Secretary namely. Tybee
Island Fort Morgan. Pensacola. Fla and
Mobile 1t was said by Of the members af-
ter leaving the Secretary. that they were prac-
t.cally agreed on Tybee Island second
choice II their Individual preferences IN the
selection c. a place could not be acquiesced IT.
BY the Department.
Other persons WHO saw Secretary Long. In
addition 70 his bureau chiefs. were Senators
Platt Of New-York. and Gear. OF Iowa. Sena-
70. Tillnan. Of South Carolina. was at Assistant
Secretary Roosevelts office during the day and
made some inquiries concerning the condition
OF the Port Royal drydock. The latest reports
received at the Department indicated that work
al that place progressing steadily In the
draining out Of basin in the approach to the
dock go that vessels can enter and leave either
at high or low tide
Secretary Long says that the establishment Of
coaling stations is a matter entirely In the hands
OF Congress. such action would Involve the
expenditure Of money. for which provision would
have 10 he made by that body. He is interested
In the project but in the absence of the neces-
sary legislation he does not see how he can
comply with the wishes OF the delegation.
ALTERING YACHTS AND TUGS.
The work incident TO the transformation OF
the yachts and tugs recently purchased for the
Navy Department. as 10 make them practca-
bic for naval purposes is now we'll under way
The alterations and changes necessary are being
rushed with all possible speed, ana orders nav
been issued 70 employ a sufficient number o,
men 10 work night and day. so that no time
VIII be lost In the tugs particularly. there
are a number If changes necessary for the com
fort and convenience OF the men who VIII man
fhem The Yachts on the other hand. are in
better shape and less work VIII be required
than on the tugs. They will be given belt
OF arr1or as a means of protection for portions
which .Inost vulnerable 10 the enemy iire
SO far the Department has purchased five yachts
and eight tugs for the auxil!ary Meet
The following orders were officially issued TO-
dav: Captain c. u. Sigsbee. TO duty in Score
tary Longs office. as special aid Lieutenant
J. J. Blandin to duty In charge or me pranGf
III a. RAJ IN
Sterling as member Of the Lighthouse Board
Iieutenan: r.. c. Welles. jr.. detached from the
Vermont. and ordered to the Tecumseh; r 0nie
lin. and ordered TO the naval station AT NeI
West: Lieutenant W. r. Whittesey. detachet
from duty with the Hartford, and ordered al
Insnector cf Ordnance for the companies located
AZ bridgeport: Lieutenant a. Ward, detached
from the New-York Navy Yard. and ordered Il
duty on the Wasp; Lieutenant j. ~ fnrceii. a De
tacned from the Vermont. and ordered with tn
Osceola.
CAPTAIN sIGsBEE CONGRATULATED.
Sir Julian Pauncefote. the British Amhassa
dor called on Assistant Secretary Roosevelt a
the Navy Department this afternoon and lief
hts card for Captain c. d. Sigsbee. congratulat
Ing that officer upon his escape and bearing
throughout his recent thrilling experiences II
the harbor Of Havana.
There was nothing specially significant in tn
movements Of naval vessels reported 10 IN
Navy Department to-day.
The gunboat Wilmington arrived al Jackson
VILE Yesterday her way TO New-fork 70
repairs The torpedo-boat Somers. purchased II
Germany. arrived at Pillau yesterday on he
way TO the United States. The gunboat Wheel
ing has left Port Angeles for Seattle. The cruise
Columbia and the revenue cutter Morrill, ar
rived at Norfolk to-day. The Columbia is at
tached to the flying squadron. and is In complet
readiness for any service she may be called upo
TO perform. Her sister ship. the Minneapolis
row fitting out at League Island. Is expected
Join the squadron at Hampton Roads In da
or two The gunboat Marietta. OF the Pacih
SQUADRON arrived at Calao. Peru. to-day. A!
fhnnoh moi so admitted II is generally under