Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-05

been detached from tbs Michigan and or
dered at once to his home on waiting
orders.
Ensign p. Symington has been detached
from the Macarthur and ordered 20 the
| Franklin.
Lieut. N. A. Mcculley ha. b.en detached
from the Gedney and ordered to the Yer
mont.
Lieutenant Commander C. T. Force has
been detached from the Patterson ana or
dsred to the navy yard at New York.
Lieutenant Commander A. p. Osborne has
been detached from command of the Nc
| Arthur and ordered to the navy yard at
Norfolk.
fast Assistant Surgeon L. L. Young has
been detached from the Marine Hospital.
Mare Island, Cal, and ordered to the
Michigan.
Lieut. w. H. Shoemaker has been order
ed to command the Talbot at once
Lieut.. c. 8. Williams has been ordered to
command the Gwin
Ensign w. s. Crosley has been ordered to
| command the Algonquin
Lieut.. c. r. Evans has been detached
from st. Mary's and ordered to command
| the Tecumseh
Lieut.. ]. L. Purcell has been ordered to
command the Osceola-
Lieut.. Joseph B. Milton has been dstached
from the navy yard at Mare Island, Cal.
and ordered to the Vermont
Work Of Naval Auxiliary Board.
The naval auxiliary board at New York
has Informed the Navy Department, N
response to orders given yesterday that It
has purchased ten fine merchantmen for
conversion into auxiliary cruisers. The
vessels secured are as follows:
Morgan liners-E Norte, 1850 tons; Ell
SOL 4.625 tons; Ell Sud. 1850 tons; Ell Rio.
4,665 tons.
Old Dominion liners-Princess, ss79 tons;
Yorktown, 2,S9S tors, and jamestown, 2.S9S
tors
Caracas. 1854 tons.
Savanna liner-Kansas 0ty. 267a tona
These vessels all come within the author
!ty granted by the department for the pur-
chase OF vessels ranging between 1000 and
5000 tons. and their cost will be met out
OF the $5O.OOO.O0o emergency appropriation
1t Is expected that they will all be sent to
government navy yards at once to receive
their armor and armament to fit them out
as cruisers OF the auxiliary navy. The
Kansas City is said to be the fastest
steamer on the Atlantic coest and the
Princess Is the newest and probably the
best vessel on the Old Dominion line. All
the vessels are represented to be in first
class condition and will undoubtedly give
good account of themselves in case of
hostilities.
Movements of Warships
The only information given out by the
navigation bureau Of the Navy Depart
ment today related to the movements Of
naval vessels as follows:
The big monitor Puritan left Charleston,
s C., yesterday for Key West for duty
with Captain SIMPSONS feet
The armored cruiser Brooklyn dropped
down Hampton Roads yesterday and
anchored off Fort Monroe. in readiness for
any emergency orders which may be sent
to the flying squadron. Of which she is the
flagship.
The dynamite cruiser vesuvius arrived at
Norfolk yesterday. and will be docked for
repairs to her propeller shaft, on the COM
pletion of which she will sail for Newport
to take on ammunition and other war
stores. She is under orders to Join the fleet
a. Key West.
The naval tug Standish sailed from Nor
folk this morning with the training ship
Monongahela in tow, bound for Annapolis
Movements of the Katahdin.
Captain G. E. Wilde, formerly secretary
oe the light house board and now in COM
E.and of the ram Ratahdin at the League
Island navy yard, visited the Navy De-
partment today for the purpose of consult
ing with the officials in regard to the future
movements of that nondescript craft. The
destination of the Katahdin is an official
secret Rumor has it that she is under
scaled orders to proceed to sea, but beyond
this even the gossips are in the dark.
Four New Ships.
The Navy Department this morning con-
cluded the purchase Of four Of the ten
ships contracted for yesterday. The four
vessels selected and which are now the
property of the government are the Nor
gan Line steamers Ell Rio. Ell Norte. FL Sol
and Ell Sud. No orders have as yet been
sent to the naval authorities at New York
as to the disposition of these vessels. but
it ia understood that the work of preparing
them for duty as auxiliary cruisers will be
begun Immediately.
Advantages of Chicknmaugn Park.
The War Department and the general Of
the army are considering the question of
utilizing the eleven square miles which the
government owns at the Chickamauga
Military Park as the point for concentrat-
ing troops in the south for organization
and instruction, and also as the location Of
such reserves as may be needed for the
gulf and SoaIth Atlantic fortifications from
New Orleans to Charleston. Such portions
of the reserves might be needed could
reach any of these Notifications in twelve
hours from Chickamauga. When not need
ed, they would pe in healthier camps than
on the coast in hot weather. railroad
with two stations at the park skirts its
western boundary. There are 500 acres of
open woods from which all underbrush has
been removed, and 1,6O0 acres of dry fields
the whole suitable for excellent camps.
Admiral Walker May BE Chosen.
Rear Admiral John G. Walker. retired.
had a conference with Secretary Long at
the Navy Department today in regard to
the situation, and that fact revived the
rumor that the administration Is seriously
considering the advisability of placing him
in supreme command of the entire naval
forces in home waters. Capt. Barker. naval
aid to the secretary. and a member Of the
strategic board, was present during the
interview More of those who participated