Evening star., 1898-05-21

branch of the service. Poisoned wells and
tainted streams need not be feared under
such circumstances; they can be avoided.
The Refrigerator Ship.
The refrigerator ship Supply, formerly the
Illinois of the American line, will be used
travelling base of fresh provisions and
the tax on the refrigerating plants of the
fighting ships will be eased to just that ex-
tent. The Illinois was originally built for
a passenger ship, but was later relegated to
the transportation of cattle and beef to
England, still as an adjunct to the Ameri-
can line In that capacity she necessarily
had an extensive system of cold storage
and this has readily adapted the vessel to
our present needs. She will carry tons of
Ice and fresh provender of all kinds-but
especially Of a vegetable nature-the surest
safeguard against disease in the tropics
ana, with her extensive coal capacity her
own distlier plant, and her ample burden,
she VIII prove an exceedingly efficient part
of the fleet. The government is making
provision for one or two more vessels of
the same sort
The Golfers.
The colliers explain themselves, and, be-
ing boats of fair speed and great carrying
capacity, viii form the principal supply
links between our fighting craft and our
bases OF supply. AS carefully as our coal
Will be used, still hundreds upon hundreds
OF tons OF II will be used daily to keep the
ships always ready for instant service and
prepared TO meet the enemy at any mo-
ment, and the safe conduct of their pre-
cious ebon burdens will be a matter often
demanding good, cool judgment, and no
mean skill on the part of their command
ers. In war time and sore pressed as Spain
Is coal is worth its weight in gold, and a
collier VIII prove a nugget worthy of a
good, stin chase and a moderate tussle
ana the captain that can dodge such a foe
and run his cargo safely into the intended
haven will be doing just as much good.
perhaps, as the skipper that sinks foe.
The Ambulance Ship.
The ambulance ship is the naval sister of
mercy. and will minister wholly to the sick
and wounded of our officers and seam.n. or.
If need be, the stricken Of our army of oc-
cupation as well.
The Solace, formerly the Creole of the
Cromwell line. has already begun, perhaps,
the duty for which she was hastily pre-
pared. and what it means to transport COM
fc;tably and hastily the wounded from the
feverish tropics to some more temperate
haven beyond the boom of guns and be-
yond the exciting reach of wars alarms is
a boon very much emphasized by the rec
ord OF every war. As far as possible, the
Soiace has been made to meet the more
pressing needs of the service for which she
has been called into requisition; but she is
Ao- eiat pcii-Cl Cfdit suggested Dy surgeon
General Van Reypen and carefully planned
by the chief constructor There is one COM
modfous elevator into which the sick and
wounded will be carried from either side
and then raised or lowered either to the
large, airy operating room or to the deck
on which they are to be housed The state
room accommodations already in the craft
nave been readily adapted to hospital uses
ana there is ample room between decks for
additional cots. Ths convalescends will be
carried above. where they can be in the
fresh air while under the sheltering cover
OF widespread awnings. Steam cutters and
large barges will facilitate the easy trans
portation of the injured and sick, and
Well-known apparatus peculiar to our serv-
ice VIII lift them from the boats and swing
them tnboard and On to the rolling cots that
carry them to their immediate destination
everything has been done to contribute to
the efficiency OF the vessel and the COM
fort and convenience of all on board; and
there is every just reason to believe she will
prove herself invaluable from the common
point of hygienics and humanity-fer
hghting ship Is cruel place for sick or
wounded after a heavy engagement
Although all these vessels will strictly
avoid the enemy. still, in their way, they
ere just as vital to our success as those
that take their places In the line and bear
the brunt Of battle. and any man might be
proud of the duty intrusted to him in their
command. r. q. SKERRETT.