The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-12
WATER FOR THE TROOPS.
Carriers VIII Begin Filling Their
Tanks To-day.

All Of yesterday preparations were being
made on the steamship Maverick and the
Standard Oil Company barge II to receive
cargoes of artesian water to be shipped
to Key West for the use of the army.
The inside of the large tanks were white
washed to take away all semblance of the
gasoline and oil which had recently been
in them. After the whitewash had dried
II was washed off, leaving the tanks per-
fectly clean.
Wafer VIII be turned into the vessels this
morning from three hydrants, and it is
calculated that it viii take two days to
fil the tanks
Fire Chief Mcguire superintended the
laying of a line Of hose attached to hy-
drants at Lincoln and Bay and Haber-
sham and Bay streets. The hose was run
through the green on the north side of
Bay street and over the roofs of the build
lngs on River street. Another line will be
connected with the hydrant at the foot
OF Lincoln street, making three streams
thaL viii pour steadily into the vessels I'M
ul their tanks are filed. Both vessels
Will take 10000 gallons of wafer, the Nav
erick receiving 10000 gallons and the
barge $50 900 gallons.
The water is to be taken TO Key West
for the use of the troops. 1t IS expected
pany the fleet to Cuba and upon landing
the water will be supplied to the soldiers.
on recent trip 10 Key West the Maver-
lex carried a supply of water from Will
mington, Del, which was supplied to the
warships
In securing the services of the Stand
ara OIL Company's steamer and barges
the government has ideal water carriers
Vessels built especially for the purpose
could not be more perfect. The Maverick
was built In 1890, at Baltimore, for the
standard Oil Company. She has been
employed since then in carrying oil and
towing barges loaded with the petroleum
product, from New York and Philadel-
phia, to the branch depots of the COM
pany all along the coast. she has made
326 voyages, while in command of her
present master, Capt Rubelli, who has
been IN her four and a half years. This
formidable carrier is built entirely of
steel. Her length is 272 feet, breadth 40
feet Inches, and depth, q feet, inches
She has a gross tonnage of 1851 q end
l,llS.S5 net. Her usual cargo is 10000 bar
refs of OIL which aggregates 5000 gall
ions. One immense pump situated for
ward is capable of discharging the entire
cargo in hours and Is minutes. There are
two smaller pumps aft, which are occa-
sionally used instead of the big one These
Will pump together, 10000 barrels of oil in
1--WE hours.
In the forward part of the steamer is a
water ballast tank which is used when
there is no cargo on board. The matches Of
the main tanks are in the center of the
vessel and extend from about four feet
above the upper deck to the level of low
er deck, and then open out In a broad ex-
panse in the hold. The lower deck is used
when the weather is bad as the crew can
pass from one end of the ship to the other
without being exposed to the weather.
All conVeniences necessary for the COM
fort of those on board are arranged. The
officers quarters are roorny and nicely fill
ed up. The saloon is finished in highly pol
ished hard wood; the kitchen, pantry, din
Ing room and sailors quarters are arrang-
ed in the most convenient and comfortable
style. Electric lights are furnished
throughout the ship. She has LOO horse
power, triple expansion engines and the
most modern machinery.
One of the noticeable features about the
Maverick is the cleanliness. There is
scarcely freight vessel afloat that is kept
in a more perfect order, and is SO devoid
Of dust and dirt. Capt. Rubeln takes a
pride in having everything about his ship
bright and clean and he succeeds admira-
bly, and to his credit. The crew of the
Maverick consists of % men, all told.