The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-17
SEEKING SHIPS
SECRETARY LONG STILL SEARCHING
FOR GOOD WAR VESSELS.
Captain Brownson Now in London
Preparing to Inspect All Craft That
May BE offered for Sale.
MANY DESIRABLE SHIPS HERE
WHICH CAN BE EASILY CONVERTED
INTO FAST, sTAUNCH GUN BoATs.
Yacht Mayfiower Secured Yesterday,
and to BE Fitted Out as Tor
pedo-Boat Destroyer.
AMBULANCE SHIP NEEDED
PROSPECTIVE AUXILIARY CRUISERS
INSPECTED YESTERDAY.
~--
New Workers willing to Sell Their
steam Yachts-Part OF the $5O,OOO,-
900 to BE Used ON Tortitications.
Yacht Mayhower Secured Yesterday,
and to Be Fitted Out as Tor
pedO-Boat Destroyer.
AMBULANCE SHIP NEEDED
PROSPECTIVE AUXILIARY CRUISERS
INSPECTED YESTERDAY.
New Workers willing to Sell Their
Steam Yachts-Part OF the $5O,OOO,-
900 to BE Used ON Fortifications.

WASHINGTON, March 16.-Although the
secretary of the navy is still pursuing with
vigor his quest for suitable war ships that
may be purchased in Europe, beyond the
two already secured at the Armstrong
works no further acquisitions have been
made. At the Navy Department to-day a
high official said: There do not seem to
be any ships in the market" This is not
exactly the idea meant to be conveyed.
There are large number of ships in the
market and many of these have been offered
to the department, but unfortunately the
vessels are unsuitable in general character
for naval purposes or else are so far from
completion as to be undesirable purchases
Perhaps better success may attend the de-
partment's efforts now that Captain Brown
son has arrived in Europe.
Meanwhile it appears that there is much
larger stock OF vessels right at home avail
able for naval use than was generally sup
posed. Many of them will make very eff
cient cruisers and gunboats almost equal
to vessels of the unprotected cruiser type
now in the navy. Such vessel is the yacht
AIayflowef, acquired to-day. She can be
transformed easily owing to her stanch con-
struction into good dispatch boat or a
small cruiser about equal to the Castine
class. although lacking the protective deck
of the latter.
A brief telegram from Admiral Sicard an
nounced the arrival at Key West of the
Mangrove with the court of inquiry aboard
All the officials at the department profess
the deepest ignorance as to the plans of the
board, and particularly as to whether or not
1t will return to Havana.
Surgeon General Van Reypen, OF the navy,
returned to-day from Newport News, where
he went TO examine into the practicabiIity
of converting the Plant line steamer Grand
Duchess into an ambulance or hospital ship
for use of the navy in the event of hostili-
ties with Spain. So far as the accommoda-
tions are concerned the vessel, after some
necessary work, would make an admirable
ambulance ship, but the lack of boilers,
which 1t would take several months to re-
place, limits her adaptability for use at the
present time. There is no room aboard the
ordinary battle ships. says General Van
Reypen, for an accumulation of wounded
men because of the manner in which they
are cut up into large number OF rooms
and apartments. Accompanying a fleet OF
vessels engaged in war should be an am
bulance ship with adequate accommodations
for treating the sick and wounded with the
least possible jar and movement, and which.
flying the flag Of the Geneva convention.
would be free from harm from the fire of
any of the ships.
ENGINEERS WANT MONEY.
The officials Of the Engineers Olfice, of
the Wa Department. have Indicated 10 Sec
retary Alger their desire that they be al
lotted S5'0o9eoo OF the emergency apprApri-
ION OF %e.ooe,oOo appropriated by cPn-