New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-06
WAITING FOR PATROL VESSELS
ADMIRAL ERBEN SAYS THE POLICE LAUNCHES
AND LIGHTHOUSE TENDERS HAVE BEEN
WITHDRAWN FROM HIS SERVICE.

WITHDRAWN FROM HIS SERVICE
Rear-Admlral Henry Erben. who Is in command
Of the coast defence fotilla for the Atlantic and
Gulf coasts and Commander Wells l.. Field. who
commands the same service In the Third Lighthouse
District extending from Elisha Ledge. in Rhode
Island. to the Shrewsbury Ri"er. in New-Jersey.
under Admiral Erben. moved their offices from No.
50 South-si 70 the Army Building. in Whitehall
st. yesterday. They have the rooms set apart Tor
the Nicaragua Canal Commission Of which Rear
Admiral Walker is tho head but which Is not
doing much In this city at present as reports OF
engineers are awaited The Government s; retains
the Offices AT no S. South-st. recruiting place.
which they were originally secured for by Com
manier Field who has turned his work recruit
ing officer TO Lieutenant Commander Chenery.
who. with naval surgeon. selects from the appl-
cants for enlistment those suitable FOR the service
desired and sends them to the receiving ship Yer
mont He said yesterday that he was existing on
an average every day eight ten experienced sea-
men. nachnists and nremen. No others were
needed
In his new Office Admiral Erbcn was examining
map showing the depth OF water around the shores
OF New-York He found that not FAR on Rockaway
Beach. and practically beyond tho range OF the
guns at Sandy Hook and Fort Hamilton. there was
from thirty 20 forty feet OF water. whore big bat
tie ship could lie and throw shells into the boroughs
OF Brooklyn and Queens u not into the heart OF
Manhattan Itself. which IN straight line. Is not
more than ter miles from Rockaway
1T Is no, likely that this could he done. or would
be. for Il is not warfare" said he. but II Is pos
sihle and there Is some FOR the alarm about
IT, We should have some good vessels at hand 10
prevent any suca possibility.
..Wha, Is tho prospect Of your having vessels?
1T T. getting better. | expect by tomorrow to
have something definite from the Department The
matter Is becoming OF great Importance IL II an
international one. In ,act, :or nere arc 'he YES
s.s ~ neutral countries coming In. ana the hsn's
are out, and no vessels 70 tell them where 20 go
or what 70 DO We have got 70 do something at
once don't care what my vessels are called. a
ro,.ia MOSQUITO feet tho three triendA the Jolly
Rodgers or what not so long ] have something
10 guard tho harnors and protect the mine fields
Commander Harrison Colby, ~ the Second Dis
tric,. which takes IN Boston. was hero to-day He
is having some ferry armed FOR Boston Har-
Dor bur nc wants more money 10 get vessels for
his district. wlich extends from Nnrragansett Bay
romwatior Recier % tho Fourth District. taking
I'm nc coast from Sandy Hook 70 the Enst ..ni
vessels which ho Is looking at ami they VIII De
secured as soon as there is authority TO get them.
Rodgers Auxiliary Board In regard 10 suitable YES
fels Yesterday. and sent on 10 Washlnston lIs'
suitable io- tho service ne hopes TO organ!ze
%; haven't single patrol boat today The l.sht,
nern i've would Ike 70 do something. bu,
.
! a, not know what boats will be selected. and !,
| dta I vnul! no, want make their names puzzle.
"a mo rri..s M ghi be raised II did To he sure
W have options some OF the boats. but they
~, 90 ui,n1rown y the owners think
especially anxious 10 get them. would IKE 10
lnva dozen 70 patrol and protect this harbor prop
.rlv hut could do A good deal with hal. that num-
no. They viii ne armed and II the haroor regula-
lions are d!sobcyol the vessels Will be fred upon
nroh,nfcl channels Just soon as We get the
vessels tho inner line OF coast defence WI" DC pu,,
IN oue-afon to cooperate with the deepsea patrol
nv the squadron under Commodore Howell M'
r.od nosf OF all the vessels 10 that tho rcgu-
ia,inns in regard passing through tho mine helds
are enforced and We nope to have those on duty In
sho