New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-08
HOW THE BUFFALO WILL RE ARMED

Washington June (SpeciaD.-Another me
auxiliary cruiser is added to the naval force. by
the arrival this morning in Hampton Roads OF
the Brazilian warship Nictheroy. now named
the buffalo and the property OF this Govern
ment Her arrival relieves the officials or some
anxiety which has been entertained FOR her
snfety since she departed from Rio several weeks
ago in company with the oregon and the little
Marietta
The big hat.e-shlp proved too fast for her
consorts and soon left them 20 make the best
Of their way 10 some United States port ana
later the Marietta showed her heels To the
brazilian vessel and came into Key West alone
Years ago the Nictheroy flew the flag that Is TO
float from her after taffrail the remainder ~ her
career
Built at Newport News about the same time
that the Yankee. the Dixie. the Prairie and
other merchant ships now on scout duty were
she soon became known for fast steamlng quail
ties and when the insurgents seized the Brazil
ian Navy and bockaded Rio Harbor this ship
was ut once purchased, fitted with ordnance and
n long dynamite gun and sent to Rio. where she
arrived too late to operate against the belliger-
cnts. on their surrender the Nictheroy was re-
fitted and became Of the best cruisers
Brazil possessed.
"A
her along side the Raleigh and the Cincinnati
type in point Of effectiveness. and with a pro-
tective belt OF three inches of steel. she will be
mora formidable than n vessel Of the Newark
or San Francisco class Although originally n
merchant vessel, she is fast and after CONVEX
sion Will resemble much more a war vessel than
a coast steamer.
This morning. soon as her arrival was re-
ported orders we're cent to Newport News TO
begin the work Of overhauling her for service
with the feet and 20 place her In readiness Will.
all possible haste The plan Of the Department
is to belt the ship well below and above the
water-linc with n band of 3-inch steel and
to mount n battery on her deck that practically
renders her n sccond-class cruiser In lighting
efficiency.
chased at the beginning OF the war for the sides
Of the auxiliary cruisers Harvard and Yale and
the Morgan liners. but there was no time to
carry out this scheme account OF the urgent
necessity Of securing the services Of these YES
sells for scout duty around Cuba.
Backed by her thick plate sides the Buffalo
will present n solid finch mass Of steel TO pro-
tectiles and this will make her almost well
armored as the New-York. Her main battery
Is to comprise ten 6-inch guns one forward. one
aft and the remainder on broadside. In add
ton she Is to have a large number OF q and 3
FOUNDERS machine and Colt guns. Completed
the Buffalo will be practically new warship
and fine az most OF our 3OOo-ton vessels
II the auxiliary cruiser Yale meets any more
Spanish ships while cruising In Southern waters
she will not be forced TO fee. as she had to
recently from the warshp Alfonso XIII while
proceeding around the east end OF Cuba.
Her commander wants battery that VIII en-
able him 10 fight his way out. and he has Sc
cured It. and the ordnance ordered 20 be put
on board before the ship leaves Newport News
Eight 5-inch rifles, and four 3-pounders Will he
the guns that are expected to take Of the
Yale II she encounters anything except armored
vessels.