New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-31
NAVAL ADVISORY BOARD AT WORK.
TEN VESSELS RECOMMENDED FOR PURCHASE


TEN VESSELS RECOMMENDED FOR PURCHASE
FOR THE MOSQUITO Fr.EET-PREPARA-
rIoNs TO ENLIST CREWS
Rear-Admra Henry Erben received oficial In
formation yesterday morning that the bill provid-
ing 900 for coast defence purposes and author
izing the enlistment o. the Naval Militia had be-
come a law and he at once sent dispatches to all
the members OF his Advisory Board OF naval Officers
10 give up the holiday and attend meeting. There
we're personal responses from Engineers Dixon,
Fitch and Henderson, Constructors Robe and MIN.
tonye. Lieutenant Commander Kelley. Lieutenant
Bruins and Ships Carpenter Barton who all ap-
peared at the Army Building. They were busy all
day in going over the work desired by the Admiral.
and as a result q list OF five yachts and 1--WE tugs
was forwarded to the Navy Department for ap-
prevail as the first instsment OF the mosquito or
coast-defence fleet
The names Of the vessels could not be learned,
but was positively stated that the list did not
contain such expensive yachts the ATLANTA, the
Nourmaha or the Peregrne.
A member OF the Board said TO a reporter for me
Tribune: These ten vessels. which to be Sc
cured will make feet OF about forty in all, which
will be used in harbor patrol and inner coast-de-
fence work You know we have some on duty now
al all the principal harbors New-fork. Boston,
Portland. Delaware River. Hampton Roads savan-
nah, Charleston. Mobile and the Mississippi River
There are ten old monitors all turned over to Ad-
miral Erben and manned by Naval Militia two fer
ryboats al Boston. which have been purchased; sew.
eral tugs and otner craft In southern waters. and
the half-dozen yachts now Oh duty IN this harpor
or being fitted up al the Navy Yard ready 10 be
! turned over for use as soon as the work on them
I'VE shall go slowly in the purchase Of any more
for II Cervera Is bottled up they may not 20 neeoeo
II the danger OF attack from the spanards is elim
mated shall not only not want any more vessels.
but we snail nave ne em 10 and msn '1 he
do need any more We nave lons rs, 10 seeSs
as II they sold al private sale. We DO not
w bnb 70 p S put upon their property when
! they seek TO sell it TO their dear country The
Is dear ssy c them c s W. sR s
the best and most available vessels al the most rea-
make public the names OF the vessels tomorrow OF
the next day. They will be fitted up and manned
Steps will Re taken at once under the new law for
the enlistment OF sufficient number Of men TO man
and the whole or any part OF the Naval Militia or
Reserve OF any State can ne enlisted There are
States which have formed bodies or naval adjunct
forces 1t Is not thought that more than one.hal:
vessels is secured than s now contemplated;
reply vas received yssegday by d a1sd E G6
panv 10 the letter ne recently sent complaining OF
the tug Lancasters violation Of haroor regulations
said that Captain Miles Taylor OF the Lancaster
not Of the sxsg9Se 81 mines M n. IN come sns
mander OF the patrol yacht Free Lance that II was
forbidden 70 use that passage ne turned and went
out rhe Main Ship Channel as directed.
Commander Field looked Up the report made BY
Lieutenant Hsnus, the commander OF the Free
Lance. and found that IL showed that when Captain
Taylor warned not 10 go through the Swash
Channel. he az once brought his vessel about. but
before the explanation could be made In regard TO
the mines he shouted oh That's all right, and
by the main channel II was apparent,
Commander Field thought. that Captain Taylor
knew OF the existence OF the mines. and was trying
TO evade regulations.
We will attend those who try 10 get around
the regulations" said Commander Field yesterday.
and until the bill is passed providing penalty for
violating regulations and going over the mines
shall order the patrol boats 70 fire solid shots IN
the offenders and not merely across their bows
Admiral Erben said that the best thing 10 90
would be 10 fire al the sterns Of the offending yes
sells and cripple them by shooting away their rud:
ders He hopes FOR the speedy passage OF the bill
which will make II possible 70 proceed against the
agents or owners OF offending vessels and hold
then, responsible for acts variance with he regu-
latlons governing the use % channels ana water
WAYS in time ~