Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-26

Cincinnati, which left Port Antonio
three days ago under sealed orders, is
to report at Key West and become a
part of Capt. SIMPSONS feet. The gum
boat Wilmington, also en- route from
Port Antonio, will likewise report to
Capt. Sampson at Key West, as well as
the gunboat Vicksburg, now at Hamp-
ton Roads. Late today the navy de-
partment gave out the following list of
vessels, as showing the exact character
of each fleet as 1t stands today:
The following vessels compose ths
North Atlantic squadron: New York,
Iowa, Indiana, Miantonomoh, Fern, Pur-
itan, Terror Marblehead, Montgomery,
Dolphin, Castine, Nashville, Helena, VIA
mington, Vesuvius, torpedo boats Foote,
, Dupont, Ericsson, Gushing, Porter
WnSlow, tugs Leyden and Samoset
The following vessels compose the fly
ing squadron: The Brooklyn, Massachu-
Setts, Texas Minneapolis and Columbia
Orders were issued today to have all
the warships pained black, a color that
is better adapted to hostilities because
the vessels will not afford so good a tar
get.
The navy department was Informed
| by cablegram from Lieut.. Colwell, naval
attache of the United States embassy at
| London. that agents of this government
had purchased a ''schischau'' torpedo
boat constructed for the German govern
ment. The new acquisition Is Of the
general type of German torpedo boats,
| ana is regarded as valuable addi-
ton to our navy. One feature regarding
her that affords special qualification to
the oti1cials Of the navy department is
that she is now ready for sea 1t is ex-
| pected that in few days she will leaya
for 6he United States. She will be able
TO make the journey across the Atlantic
| without difficulty, as she is a good sea-
! going
ample for the trip.
Sne is a 23-knOt vessel and about $50
feet long. While Of the same general
| type as the Rodgers and Foote of the
United states navy, she is a trifie larg-
er: The price paid for her the navy
oIHelals declined to state, but il was said
TO be very reasonable.
| Work on the vessel has lust been
completed. She never has been in SER
vice. She is supposed to carry three
| torpedo tubes and two small caltbra
RAPID nre guns. Nine to II men will
be needed to manage her.
News reached the navy department to-
DAY that the Spanish authorities have
! taken steps to supplement the existing
fort1f1cations at Sam Juan de Puerto
Rlco, the main port of the island of
Porto Rico. The news is regarded as
| significant. Porto Rico Is the only other
possession which belongs to Spain on
this hemisphere, besides Cuba The
officials of the department. while ack-
nowledg1ng information of the forego-
ing character has reached them, are yet
very chary about imparting any Of the
details to the press.
The city of Puerto Rico is fortified
after the style prevalent in early days,
the defenses consisting of a wall which
completely encircles 1t of several forts
at strategic points, while the only
points of egress and ingress are through
massive gates These Notifications are
being strengthened, and the armament
has been increased by two large guns
of formidable pattern and calibre. San
Juan has 28,414 inhibitants.
Gen. Flagler, chief of ordnance Of the
army, today had a long conference with
Secretary Alger with reference to addi-
tional guns and gun carriages. A few
days ago, Secretary Alger allotted to
Gen. Flagler 81, 100000 from the emer-
gency appropriation made by congress
to be used by the ordnance bureau in
the discretion of Gen Flagler. This
amount, although large, was not in the
opinion Of Gen. Flagier sufficient to
meet the requirements Of the present
emergency, and his conference with the
secretary was to obtain an additional
allowance. After a careful canvass OF
the situation, Secretary Alger gave Gen.
FlagIer q liberal additional allotment
tion could be obtained as to It's amount
The sum must be a very considerable
one, however, as Gen. F'lagler said that
it was to be used to cover provisional
contracts entered into for the construo-
tion of the new guns of various cah-
ibres and their carriages.
Pending action on the report Of the
court of the inquiry, Lieut.. Commander
Mark, the judge advocate of the court,
will be on special duty In the office of
the Judge advocate general
The enlistment of men for the naval
service is progressing satisfactorily at
the Washington navy yard, and good
class of men Is being obtained. Hereto
fore the enlistments have been con-
fined to ratings of machinists, seaGnen
and ordinary seanlen. On thS- recon-
mendation of Lieut.. Robinson, the re-
cruiting officer in charge of the rendez-
vous, the navy department has au-
thorized him to include the enlistment
of coal passers and f1remen, so that
now the enlistmenss comprehend every
rating of the enlisted service.
Lieut.. Colwell, at London, has been
directed by the navy department to
urge the builders of the recently pur-
chased cruiser Albany, formerly the
Brazilian vessel Abrouall, to hasten the
construction Of the ship with all pos
sible speed. In the ordinary course of
work the vessel would not be com
pleted before next December, but 1t is
believed by officials of the navy depart
ment that if the builders are placed un-
der pressure she can be made ready for
sea within three months, and perhaps
in a little less time.
OTHER IMPORTANT DEVELOP
MENTS
Some of the other more important do