The times., 1898-04-18

The E8Ete D0nS " arD11DI.
New York. April 17.-Captain Charles u.
Sigsbee, L. s. y. who commanded the
Maine when she was blown up in Ha-
Tana harbor. boarded the American liner
St. Paul at S o'clock this morning at her
pier in this city. TO take her 10 Philadel
phia- where she viii be made over into
an auxiliary cruiser. There was no cere-
mony about IL. Captain Sigsbee went
aboard accompanied by c. c. Griscom,
the agent Of the American Line in this
city; Captain Brewer, the superintendent
Of the pier, and Manager Wright, shook
hands with Captain Jamison, who has
commanded the ST. Paul since she joined
the American Line feet. and told him that
he was ready to start for Philadelphia
whenever the ship was.
The St. Paul had been ready for three
hours and no time was lost in getting
her out into the channel and staring
her down stream. Captain Jamison said
that he would hurry to Philadelphia as
speedily as the St Paurs engines could
carry her.
The ST. Paul was manned by her own
crew 250 strong, who viii decide after
they reach Philadelphia whether or not
they wish TO become members of the
United States naval force. Her silver and
crockery ware and all the other property
OF the International Navigation Company
on her Will be taken of and stored away
10 await her return to the American Line
feet.
in Philadelphia Captain Sigsbee viii be
met by Lieutenant Commander briggs
and Ensign Cluverius who Were with
him on the Maine. These are the only
officers. Captain Sigsbee said, who served
on the Maine who have been assigned to
the ST. Paul. The assignment of other
regular naval officers TO the ship would
depend wholly on the success ne had in
persuading the St. PauI's regular officers
10 accept billets under him.
Il want all Of them / can get' said
Captain Sigsbee. "and shall DO my best
TO induce them 20 stay by me-"
Captain Sigsbee said that the Navy De
partment wanted the crew Of the st.
Paul as well as her officers and that the
proposition would be made to them when
they arrived in Philadelphia. Most Of
the men are anxious 10 serve under Cap
tain Sigsbee. and one of the ST Paul's
officers said today that he expected to
see every one Of them enlist at once.
Captain Sigsbee was asked what he
thought Of the prospects or war.
Il don't see how we can avoid it now
he replied. Il hope a decision viii be
reached soon. This suspense is trying -
He was asked what kind OF cruiser
the St. Paul would make, and his reply
was:
"A very good one"
He said that ne would inspect her thor
onghly on the trip 10 Philadelphia and
send a report as to her condition to the
Navy Department without delay. II was
suggested TO Capt. Sigsbee that the big
target the ST. Paul made might impair
her usefulness as a war ship. He said
that her speed would tend largely to off
set that disadvantage.
Besides he added "she won't be such
a big target when we get through with
her"
The officers Of the ST. Paul agreed thai
the big steamship would prove a valablt
addition to the United States feet o1
commerce destroyers-
When they get through with her al
Cramps" one Of them said. she viii bt
able TO make twenty-five knots an houl
and show a clean pair Of heels to any.
thing there is in the Spanish navy. II
war should break out tomorrow we would
not have the least fear for the safety OF
the St Louis. which Is on the way across
the Atlantic now. Her officers would dis
cover any proving Spaniard and she
could keep ahead Of her without trouble. p
Have the Fighting Fever.
New York, April 1.-THE United States
steamer San Francisco, which is lying
of Tompkinsville. S. L, was over-run to-
day by visitors. Captain Leary enter
tained them in the afternoon by ordering
out the band.
Commodore Howell returned from
Washington yesterday. He went there
Immediately on the arrival Of the Sau
Francisco and New Orleans. j was an,
nounced on the San Francisco today thai
Commodore Howell would leave hei
tomorrow. Il wiz probably be for good
for il is reported that the Navy Depart
ment is about 10 assign the commodore
10 another command.
The officers and men Of the San Fran
cisco have got the fighting fever badly
They can scarcely wait 10 get their or
ders- An Illustration Of the sentiment
of the men of the cruiser was given thi:
afternoon when the torpedo boat destroy
er Eagle passed TOmpkinsyille on hel
way 10 sea The eagle looked pugna.
cious in her war paint and as a group o
the San FTancisco's officers looked a
her one Of them remarked:
Oh, 7 wish they would hurry and Civ
Us some Of those clothes and order Il.
somewhere.
The San Francisco viii 90 to the navl
yard tomorrow if room can be found TO
her there. She viii get her orders a
soon as she has been oyerhauled an
painted war color
Fort Monroe. Va. April 1.-THE ship
Of the flying squadron had very quie
Sunday. The Massachusetts and Texa
finished coaling and the jackets hai
plenty Of opportunity 10 do visiting amon
the ships which compensated IN q meas
ure for the fact that shore liberty Is no
allowed IL was a beautiful day and
big excursion came down from Rlchmon,
10 see the ships. but visitors were not al
lowed 10 board them.
The tugs Wamptuck Lieut. Junger
who was on the Maine in command. an
The Dncas. Lieut.. Brainerd, passed up 1
Norfolk. The torpedo boat Rodgers wen
out for a spin
Canadians Wish TO Enlist.
Toronto, Ont. April I7.-Expert arti
lerymen Of Canada are being sought fc