New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-19
TO GUARD CUBAN PORTS.
ALL SINGLE-TURRETED MONITORS TO
BE SENT SOUTH.
EXPECTED TO KEEP THE NATIVES IN
ORDER-vEssELs IN GOOD CONDITION.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRrBrNE.l

ORDER-VESsELs IN GOOD CONDITION.
GBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBrNE.l
Washington. Aug. ls-The Navy Department
has decided 70 send all the sngle-turreted moni-
tors 70 cuba and Porto Rico for duty as per-
manent guardshirs in the chief harbors OF those
ISLANDS. Preliminary orders, assigning officers
and crews ~ the regular Navy TO the twelve
seaworthy vessels Of this type, are being made
out and several OF these formidable vessels will
start for their new posts in a week or two.
These monitors. which were built for service In
the Civil War; several Of them bearing scars OF
that conflict. after thirty years Of disuse. were
restored 10 excellent condition soon after the
Maine was blown up some OF them being
equipped with entirely new wa'er-tube boilers
and having the benen. of extensive improve
ments During the war with Spain, they have
been manned by Naval Militamen, and con-
stiuted the chief source Of strength OF the
auxiliary naval force guarding the Atlantic
coast orders were given several DAYS ago 10
place them out Of commission soon as posi-
bic. and return them to the League Island
Renn) Navy Yard until another emergency
necesstated their use. In the mean uHle'
however the complicated problems involved IN
maintaining law and order, particularly in cuba,
led To consideration Of the availability of these
vessels as guardships. and the authorities quick
" reached the decision to utilize them for that
purpose.
TO KEEP ORDER AMONG CUBANs.
The vessels selected are the Ajax. the Cauoni-
Gus the Mahopac the Manhattan, the Wyan-
dotte the Catskl the Jason. the Lehigh. the
Montauk the Nahant. the Nantucket and the
Passaic They draw only twelve feet Of water
and each Of them carries two lj-inch smooth
bore guns I'm its turret It Is intended that
they shall not only provide for the defence of
Cuban harbors against exterior assaults but
their magazines are to be stored with large
quantities Of grape and canister for the pur-
pose of maintaining order ashore. There Is no
concealment ~ the design on the part of the
naval and military authorities 10 use. II neces-
sary this grape and canister fire from the huge
guns OF the monitors TO command a wholesome
respect for United States authority among the
Cuban insurgents and other obstreperous ele-
ncnts which Will have 70 be restrained when
the Spaniards evacuate the island. and the
naval officers who Will be- especially selected Tor
these vessels on account Of their discretion and
good Judgment. will have fun authority - dis
porse any mObs which may come within range.
In each Of the ports where monitors are To-
Gated there will be no necessity for military
garrison
II is proposed To locate these slngle-turreted
monitors at MatanZas. Cardenas. Sagua la
Grande. Jihara. Nuevitas, Manzaniuo. Guanta-
ramo Trinidad CienfuegOs and Bahia Honda,
In cuba and al Ponce. in Porto Rico.
II is also the intention - the Navy Depart
rneni 20 send The 1ouhle-turreted monitors Puri-
tan Terror. Amphitrite ana Miartonomoh 10
Havana Santiago and san Juan de Porto Rico.
perhaps two OF them being stationed at Havana.
These vessels. while among the most disagree
able in the Navy FOR active cruising service In
tropical waters. are considered more conforta-
hle than any other type Of vessel when station
airy. and arc altogether peculiarly fitted 10 meet
the present necessity