The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-06-10
Some Anxiety as to Safety Of Trans
ports Sailing From Tampa,
Owing to Reports Of the Appearance of a
Mysterious Warship in Cuban Waters
Sampson Acquainted Of
the Situation.

apparent this afternoon that the w ar
Department, through the energetic eff
forts of the censor, had succeeded en-
tirely in its purpose to keep the move
ments of the United States troops a Sc
cret, for beyond question at the close
of the day it was impossible to learn
where were the United States troops
which had been for weeks gathered un-
der command of General Shafter in
Florida. Stories of the appearance of
a mysterious warship in Cuban waters
floated through the Navy Department
during the day The officers quickly
condemned them, declaring that if the
boats We're Spanish they We're nothing
more than some unarmored launches,
and not to be feared by any number of
transports conveyed by such fine gum
boats as the Helena and Bancroft
But when these storieS reached the
War Department they We're received
with a different spirit Nothing is more
helpless in warfare than an unarmed
troop transport full of soldiers. She
would fall an easy victim to the small
their weakness in this respect, are loath
10 undertake to cross the Florida
Straits until these disagreeable visitors
have been removed from the pathway.
Without respect to the character of
the strange craft that are said to be
lodging the blockaders at Havana, they
will be removed from the scene of ac-
that Sampson has been acquainted of
the situation, and will be expected to
redeem his promise to provide safe con-
duct to the army when called upon. He
has ample force to conduct the opera
tions at Santiago to successful issue,
and still spare vessels of any power
desirable for use in the Florida Straits
1t was pointed out to-day by a naval
Official that the Admiral, since the ar
rival of the marine battalion on the
Panther, has at his disposal what he
may regard as sufficient force of
men to capture Santiago. even before
the troops arrive The 800 marines on
the Panther, added to the marines al
ready with the fleet, would make a to-
tai of about 100 men. Without i'm
pairing the efficiency of his ships, Adj
miral Sampson could spare 1000 blue
jackets for landing party. and with
this total force of 100, if the insur-
gents Who have been armed by the
United States Government do their
share. it seems possible for Sampson
to capture Santiago at short notice
There seems to be very decided air
OF expectation this afternoon among
the officials who are acquainted with
the Governments plans in the cam
paign that almost warranted a conclu-
sion that an engagement of some kind
was expected to-day.
Steady progress is making upon the
ships under construction by the Gov
eminent at the several navy yards, as
revealed by the monthly report from
the various reports to Chief Construc-
tor Hichborn- on the battleships the
Newport News people are ahead, hav-
ing the Kearsarge and Kentucky 80 per
cent. advanced toward completion. but
the Illinois only 46 per cent Cramp &
Sons report the Alabama 53 per cent
along. and the Union Iron Works have
progressed 50 per cent. with the Wis
consin.
Ten torpedo boats are now actually
under construction and have been COM
pleted TO the following extent:
The Rowan, 26knotter. building at
Moran Brothers, Seattle. $50 per cent
The Dahlgren, 30-knotter. building at
the Bath Iron Works. Bath, Me-, IS
per cent.
The Tam Craven, 30-knotter;; Bath
Iron Works, Bath, Me, 30 per cent.
The Farragut, 30-knotter, Union Iron
Works, San Francisco. 80 per cent.
The Davis and Fox, 22.5-knotters
Wolf & Zweicker, Portland, Or, 50 ana
81 per cent. respectively.
The Mackenzie, 20-knotter. Charles
Hillman, Philadelphia, % per cent.
The Stringham, 30-knotter, Harland
Hollingsworth. Wilmington. Del, -
per cent.
The Goldsboro, 30-knotter, Wolf &
Zweicker, per cent.
The Bailey, 30-knotter, Gas Engine
and Power Company. New Jersey, y.
per cent.