The Indianapolis journal., 1898-09-02
THE MosaUITo FLEET.
Many of the Brave Little Cruisers
VIII BE Sold Outright.

NEWPORT NEWS. Va. Sept. lit is
learned from a trustworthy source that
number of the war ships at anchor in
Hampton Roads off the Chamberlin and
Hygeia hotels will become the objects OF
unfavorable reports by the board of survey
which began its work of inspection last
week. The condition of not a few of the
best-known vessels of the mosquito fleet is
said to be such as to render them useless
for either the purpose of peace or war un-
til extensive and costly repairs have been
made.
Since coming to Old Point Comfort Capt
Higginson, Captain Taylor. Lieutenant
Brunson and Chief Engineer Stivers, COM
prising the board of survey, have been ac-
lively engaged in making a careful exam
ination Of all the vessels of the auxiliary
fleet and 1t is expected they will conclude
their work the latter part of the week.
In more than one-half of the vessels al
ready examined it is said the machinery has
been found by the inspecting board to be
so badly damaged that new engines and
boilers will have to be supplied before they
will be in proper condition for the pursuits
In which they were formerly engaged while
in merchant service. Others, 1t is s;lld, have
sustained serious injuries to their oetks ard
hullS, not being strong enough 10 stand the
strain caused by the discharge o. the guns
with Hhicl they are equipped. In addition
to this, the little war ships Ners severely
tried by the rough usage incident to block
ade duty in which many of l.. n figured
prominently before Havana and at nther
points on the Cuban coast
As the men from whom these now disabled
vessels were bought in good condition will
hardly be willing to take them back, it is
likely that some bargains in marine prop
erty will be offered at an early date. Ships
that went through the war without damage
will probably be bought by their original
owners in The event the government is de-
sirous of dsposing of them, but of course
at price far below that which they were
sold to Uncle Sam.
The auxiliary cruiser Dixie, for instance,
will probably be eagerly sought by the Nor
gan line of steamers, which disposed OF
four of its splendid ships to the govern
ment. 1t is not probable. however that the
Dixie will leave the naval service, and 1t
is understood Captain HigginsOn, as presi-
dent of the board of inspection will recon-
mend that this ship be retained by the gov
ernment The Dixie carries ten six-inch
guns, the heaviest armament placed on an
auxiliary cruiser, and the fact that she
stood the test so well reflects great credit
upon her builder The board made a thor
ough examination of this ship and found
on her mission of war.
1t is learned semi-officialy that OF the
ships inspected by the board at Old Point
Comfort the following will probably be rec
government service as navy yard tugs The
Apache. the Eagle, the Hawk, the Hornet,
the Leyden, the Niagara, the Oneida, the
Osceola, the Peoria, the Piscataqua, the
Tecumseh. the Vixen, the Wasp the Wam-
patuck and the Yankton. IT is believed that
the colliers will be disposed Of but Ii Is
possible that the board will make no recom-
ton of these vessels. of which nine are at
Old Point.