The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-14

WASHINGTON. March i3.-Seeretary
Long was at the navy department for
short time. He stated late in the after
noon that there was news of any na-
ture for the press and added in response
TO a specific inquiry that nothing had been
received from the court of inquiry.
The board of auxiliary cruisers met in
Assistant Secretary Roosevelts room dur
ing the morning. There were present, In
addition to the assistant secretary. Chief
Constructor Hichborn. of the bureau OF
construction and repair. Capt. Frederick
Rogers. of the naval board OF inspection
and survey: Capt. o'Neill, chief OF tho
ordnance bureau; Lieut.. Sergeant. re-
corder of the board of inspection. and
Lieut.. Peters, of the naval intelligence bu-
reau, Lieut.. Commander J. Kelley and
Naval Constructor Towresy. the latter
now or duty at Cramps shipyard. wero
expected, bat their orders to attend had
evidently arrived too late to permit them
to do SO. Each of the bureau chiefs pres
ent was able TO give the board some In.
formation as to the work that may be re-
quired to fit out any ships that may be
obtained. Several of the members of the
board as originally appointed to look into
the matter. are unable to leave the city
at present, SO it was determined that A
special board, of which Capt. Rogers will
be president. should be designated to pro-
ceed TO New York tonight to undertake the
work on hand. An Office Will be opened at
No. 26 CORTLAND street. New York, to-
morrow morning, at which owners and
agents for ships will be invited TO mako
their proposals fon turning over to the
~2Xy such vessels as are OF value for con-
version into war purposes. The naval Of
fcials say there will be no difficulty ex-
perienced In obtaining all vessels that arc
desired, as there are hundreds available.
Thanks to the careful work of the naval
intelligence office. the department keeps in
close touch with the construction OF all
craft that can be utilized Ia the event Of
war, and Just now IL has record OF for
u such ships, OF all sizes and classes,
wficts viii be inspected and examined IL
their owners desire 10 part with them. A
number OF these vessels have been con-
structed under the subsidy act of congress
and are engaged in carrying the mails. The
vessels To be examined Will include all
classes, from liners Dke tho ST. Paul 10
ocean-golng tugs. which can be OF very
material service for a number OF purposes.
Tonnage, draft, speed, condition OF boilers
aud machinery and other attributes will
figure in the thorough inspection which
viii be undertaken by the board before
any chartering or purchasing is recom-
mended.
At the Fort Washington factory are now
In various stages OF construction no less
than $50 guns OF formidable character. on
which work is being done nigh, and day
with a view 10 their early completion.
No new guns are being started, but the
entire efforts Of the factory are being de-
voted 10 finishing these under way. A
naval officer said there will be enough of
them when finished 10 constitute a fair
armament for thirty or more auxiliary
cruisers. should such large fleet be
found necessary.
The gunboat Machias. which has Just
arrived at Norfolk from the Asiatic stz-
tion, by way OF the suez canal. has been
found 10 be In fair shape, as a result
OF the examination BY the naval inspee-
tIon board A thorough overbauIIng will
be unnecessary in the present instance.
and she will b. sent 70 Boston, whore all
necessary repairs can be made 70 her in
about twelve days.
The ordering If the Helena and Ban
croft. now on the European station. 70
the United States Will leave Admiral Pow
Ell. commanding that station. with but
one vessel. the San Francisco.
No explanation for the action IS vouch-
safed BY the officials of the navy DEPART
rnent and Secretary Long. when asked
today, declined TO Say anything about
the step further than that the two ships
had Ea..r, nrAarn-l hnnan