The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-03-16
FASTENING THE WORK ON
MORE TORPEDO BOATS SOON TO
BE DELIVERED.
THE AMAZONAs rO COME IMMEDIATELY
Torpedo Boat Foot Arrives at jacksonville
War Department Disappointed Over Delay
in Fortifcation Contracts and Will
Not Depend on Contractors.

Washington, d. C., March 15.-This
was another busy rday in the War and
Navy Departments. Secretary Alger
was another busy day in the War and
funds from the appropriation of $50,
100000, which. will greatly facilitate
the work of the bureaus. These bureaus
had not been able to conclude any con-
tracts for the procurement of war sup
plies because no allotment had been
made, hurt this afternoon the Ordnance
Bureau was given two and Il half mil
lion dollars and business went forward
with a rush. lit iS true that this sum
is already mortgaged under provisional
arrangements made during the past
week, but with the assurance of mOrt,
funds to come the work of the bureau
is now moving rapidly.
Secretary Long was exceedingly busy
to-day having not only to give n good
deal of time TO the Cabinet, to which
he was obliged to return twice, but
also being Obliged to see q great many
persons with whom the department has
or expects to have contract relations.
Among the latter was Mr.. Herreshotf,
the torpedo hOat builder from Bristol,
X. /. lie turned two of these boats
over to the department. a few days ago
and the Secreatry's purpose in consult
ing him was to learn how much he
cnalid hasten dhe work on one of the
boats remaining on his hands which in
ordinary times would require about two
months to complete. The Secretary also
spent a good deal of time at intervals
daring the day in consulting over the
long distance telephone with Naval OFF,
GERS in New York and it is believer
much of this consultation concerned the
procurement of suitable vessels from
among the auxiliary Navy for war pur-
poses.
Mr.. MalSter, of the Columbian Iron
Works at Baltimore, has notified tn.
department that he will be able to
turn over to it the torpedo boat Rogers
next Saturday. The Rogers is Il boat
which smashed her engines lin the midst
of trial trip about six months ago. II
was necessary almost to replace the en-
gines but under the hurry orders from
the Navy Department this has been done
in good time. 1t is expected that the
boat will be taken at once from Balti-
more to Norfolk. The Department has
no disposition to waste time at this
juncture in making trial trips, but
knowing the boat to be of satisfactory
type, like her sister boat the Winslow,
and Of good workmanship according to
the Naval Inspectors reports, she will
he accepted out of hand, as were the
Gwin and Talbot last week
The new ship 4AmazOnas. according
to present plans, will be manned entirely
from the San Francisco. That vessel
sailed at six O'Clock this morning from
Lisbon and will arrive in the Tyne about
Friday. 1T IS expected that she will di-
vide her officers and crew with the
4AmaZ0nas, placing Lieutenant Arthur
l.. Nazr0, executive officer of the San
Francisco, in charge of the latter YES
sci. Without doubt the Amazonas will
be gotten across the ocean as soon as
possible, and it is expected that the
San Francisco will convoy her.
The torpedo boat Foote arrived Mt
Jacksonville this afternoon. The MachiaS
sailed from Norfolk to Boston where she
will undergo some repairs made neces-
sary by her long Asiastic cruise. The
BROOKLYN went to Newport News for
coal. The AIarblehead. which is taking
on stores at Tampa, sailed 10 rejOin tn,
squadron at Tortugas.
Judge Advocate General Lemly re
ceiyed telegram this afternoon from
Havana announcing the arrival there
of the derrick Chief in tow of the tftt
Underwater. 1t is expected that this
derrick will greatly facilitate the worl
of wreclaing the Maine.
The War Department is greatly dis
appointed and annoyed at the dilatOri
ness shown by the contractors who have
undertaken to construct the new FORTH
cations along the coast 1t is said thai
only one among the whole number has
finished HIS contracy on time. The de
partment has been greatly embarrassed
thereby in placing its guns and has
been Obliged to extend the time allowed
these contractors. The department has
determined not to submit 10 further oh.
sfrlction in prosecuting the work under.
taken but will do the work itself and re.
frain from entering into contracts.
WILL POSTPONE ACTION