The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-16
THE AUXILIARY WAS VESSELS.
0oO Vessels of All Types are at the
Governments Service.

WASHINGTON, d. c., March H.--Ihe
naval militia organizations. in accordance
with instructions issued by the depart
ment last week are beginning to report
on the number OF merchant ships ana
steam craft OF all kinds available FOR war
purposes II manned with quick-rre guns.
PENNSYLVANIA and Maryland and some
of the New England States report large
number of vessels I'm readiness Tor I'M
nressment by the national government on
receipt OF orders fro the President. Ihese
craft vary in tonnage from the large
coastwise ships to the powerful seagolns
tugs. and all. when properly equipJeo'
could render most effective service, me
officials believe. in time OF emergency.
Militia organizations have been unusual
~ active in procuring the desired infor-
nation and in investigating the condition
and value Of certain types Of ships for
government use. These organizations
will be depended on 10 man great num-
her OF ships. except thosewhi ch will-iorm
an auxiliary fleet for operations In the
open sea- Fast yachts have been FOUND
lnnumerable. and owners OF some OF the
neetest and most sumptuous have INFORM
ed the officials that If required they VIII
he willing TO deliver them To the govern
ment for war purposes. The big tugs
and little yachts are now being consider
ed with view 10 forming torpedo Doa'
notilla each being manned with a torpedo
tube and two Of three siX-pounders. IL
is proposed to utilize large number oil
heavy ocean-going ships as improViseu
rams TO be assigned exclusively Tor mar
Dor defence purposes.
Information so far received by the de-
partment shows that go vessels of all
types available for impressment are ut
the service OF the government. including
a large number on the lakes, which woulo
not under any circumstances be used
unless II was developed that the Eastern
ports failed 10 present the requisite num-
her. OF these. forty-three are on the
list Of auxiliary cruisers or ships when
are engaged I'm the cOastwise and foreign
trade and capable of high speed ana great
steaming radius. These would be the
class manned with the guns manutac-
tured at the Washington gun factory ana
sent 10 Join flying squadrons or TO harrass
the enemys commerce.
A conference was held az the Depart
ment this afternoon between two naval
militia officers and some of the officials
relative TO plans which are TO be per-
fected for preparing the way TO use tho
greater number of these ships. Efforts
have been made already 10 have the navy
call on naval militia officers who are es-
pecially well informed In the duties re-
quired Of officers I'm the regular service
10 have them detailed TO the auXiliarieS
when the navy calls for these ships The
authorities have discouraged this. how
ever. and will expect the militia 10 at
tend practically 10 the second line of de-
fence work and 10 confine their labors
10 the protection Of the harbors IN
which the organizations are located.
Plans are also In course Of perfection
for these organizations TO assume charge
OF the coast line signal work. 10y which
the principal lighthouses along the coast
are 10 become observing and signal sta
tions for reporting locations of fleets rs
they pass up and down the coast and In
CARRYING on communication between them
and the shore. In time Of war this inn
portant work will fall almost entirely
on the State militia, acting, however. IN
conjunction with the crews of the light
stations and keepers of the pigeon cotes
soon to be established. Sanction having
been given by the Treasury 20 the light
house part Of the work, the necessary
plans are being prepared, and in event
of war all arrangements will be ready
for placing them I'm prompt execution. An
appropriation will be asked this week
for meeting the necessary eXpense.-New
York Sun