Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-09
Extra Vigilance Maintained at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard.
DOLPHIN Is now READY TO SAIL
Ward Line Officials Will Char
ter British Ships.
BIG ORDER FOR POWDER


| persons. In consequence of orders received
from Washington, the officer of the guart
was ordered to cause the arrest of any
person seen taking notes and to allow
no photographers to enter the yard. Three
newspaper men were arrested today while
standing near the Mayfiower examining
the vessel and taking some notes. They
were taken to the captain of the yard
Scmmer, and then before Admiral Bunce
before being discharged.
Admiral Bunce, in company with Naval
Constructor Bowles and Ensign Bayne, as
sistant to the captain Of the yard, made
a tour of the navy yard today, commenc-
ing at o'clock. The boats of the mos
quito feet were especially inspected. The
admiral was not satisfied with the progress
that had been made in the work of altering
the craft and he ordered that more speed
should be used.
Dolphin Ready to Sail.
The engines of the dispatch boat Dolphin
have at length been satisfactorily adjusted,
and she will sail today to join the fleet at
Key West, carrying an extra cargo of am
munition. Two boats of the mosquito fleet,
the Sioux and the Tecumseh, were also or
dered to put to sea before evening to follow
the Dolphin
The Uncas has been ordered to be ready
to depart on Tuesday.
Great difficulty has been experienced in
enlisting able seamen aboard the Vermont,
and in consequence the advisability of Of
ferlng bounty of $500 to $500 for seamen
is now under consideration. Recently q
board, appointed by the Navy Department,
made tour of the New England seaboard,
enGeavorng to obtain men of the class
needed. 1t succeeded in securing only four.
Seventy-five meE have been recruited
aboard the Vermont and it was announced
that fifty of the men came from the aux
iliary steamships Ell Norte and Ell Sol.
The collier Saturn has been ordered to the
Charlestown navy yard, Boston, to have
the finishing touches put on her.
Vessel for Consul Hanna.
The shipping firm of Miller, Bull & knowl-
ton, general agents of the New York and
Porto Rico Steamship Company, received d
cablegram from Latimer d Fernandez,
their agents at San Juan, Porto Rico, to-
day asking permission to place the British
tramp steamship Virginia at the disposal OF
the American consul, Mr.. Hanna, and his
family, and other Americans, to take them
to St. Thomas, Danish West Indies.
The New York agent of the steamship
company telegraphed to the State Depart
ment at Washington that the Virginia will
be placed at the service Of the American
consul without delay.
Will Charter British Ships.
The Ward line having withdrawn its own
vessels, which fly the American flag, from
service between here, Havana ami Mexi-
can ports, has chartered a British vessel
to sail for Mexico on Wednesday next. 1t
sci will call at Havana
Should hostilities break out it Is the in
tention of the Ward line to charter num-
ber Of vessels flying the British flag for
their Mexican business. and it may be that
these boats will make regular stops at Ha-
vana.
WILMINGTON, Del, April 9.-The E. 1.
Dupont de Nemours Company, it is under
stood, has received from the United States
government a contract for furnishing $15,-
OOO,O0O worth of powder, and the mills are
being rushed to turn out the material as
rapidly possible. Most of the powder
manufactured at the mills at present is red,
and being more difficult to ignite than the
black powder there are fewer explosions,
and it can be produced more rapidly by the
machinery.
The company Is building new mill in the
lower yard, and also a machine for the
| manufacture of prismatic powder, which is
to be the largest in the world. The wages
Of the company's employees have recently
been increased.
Launch of the Rowan.
SEATTLE, Wash, April 9.-The United
States torpedo boat Rowan, the first war
vessel built in the state of Washington,
| has been successfully launched. She was
| christened by Mrs. Edward Moole wife of
| Lieut.. Edward Moole, U. S. N. 1t is ex-
| pected to have the Rowan ready for service
| within two weeks time.
The Rowan is 17O feet long and II feet
wide. Her normal draught is feet and &
| inches. She is a twin screw and has two
| triple-expansion engines. Her combined In
dicated horse power is $500. Her contract
speed is 26 knots per hour.
Topeka ind Somers Sail.
WEYMOUTH, Eng, April 9.-The United
States cruiser Topeka formerly the Di-
| ogenes), Lieut.. John ]. Knapp in COM
mand, and the United States torpedo boat
| Somers, commanded by Ensign c. w.
] Hazelton sailed this morning for the
United States.
Fifteen firemen for the Topeka were OBJ
| tanned from the American Line steamer
st. Paul at Southampton. All the men
| on board the st. Paul were eager to join
| the cruiser. The firemen were taken to
Weymouth on a tug by the United States
consul, and were put on board the Topeka
at $50 o'clock yesterday evening.
| Adula's Charter Cancelled.
KINGSTON. Jamaica, April 9-The char
ter Of the Atlas Line coasting steamer
Adula. which was engaged to take Ameri-
can citizens from Baracoa, ManzaniIlo and
| two other places in Cuba, was Cancelled to.
| day, under instructions from the State De-
partment at Washington. through Consul
General Fftzhugh Lee, at Havana.
The West Point Chapel.
The military affairs committee Of this
House yesterday unanimously reported the
Odell hill granting permission for the build
Ing Of Cathode chapel on the govern
ment reservation at West Point. The bill
has been before the committee Ia yariou.
forms for two years. general bin cover
ing all reservations and religions was beat
en-. This special bill. growing out Of tn,