Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-03-26
THE KAISER SELLS Us A FIRST
CLASS TORPEDO BOAT.
REVENUE CUTTERS SUMMONED
TWO NOW ON THE LAKES ORDERED
TO THE ATLANTIC.
VIII De Equipped mt Norfolk. Va, and
VIII Then Proceed, With the At
lantic Revenue Cutters. to
Key West-Naval Mill
tia to BE Used.

Washington, March 25-The navy de-
partment was informed to-day by cable
gram from Lieutenant Colwell, naval at
tache to the United States embassy at
London, that agents of this government
had purchased "Schischad' torpedo boat
that had been constructed for the German
government. The new acquisition is of
the general type of German torpedo boats.
and is regarded as valuable addition to
our navy. One feature regarding her that
affords special qualification to the officials
of the navy department is that she is now
ready for sea. 1t is expected that in a
few days she will leave for the United
states. She will be able to make the jour-
ney across the Atlantic without difficulty,
as she is good seagoins vessel and her
coal capacity is ample for the trip to this
country.
She is twenty-three knot vessel and
about $50 feet long. While of the same
general type as the Rodgers and Foote. of
the United States navy. she is a trifle
larger. At the navy department the pre-
else dimensions of the new boat could not
be given. The price paid for her the navy
officials declined at this time to state, but
il was said to be very reasonable.
Work on the vessel has just been COM
pleted. She never has been in service. She
is supposed to carry three torpedo tubes
and two small caliber rapid fire GuSn.
Nine to twelve men will be needed to man
her.
Lieutenant Colwell of London, has been
directed by the navy department to urge
the builders of the recently purchased
cruiser Albany, formerly the Brazilian YES
sci Abreuall, to hasten the construction
of the ship with all possible speed. In the
ordinary course of the work, the vessel
cember, but it is believed by officials of the
navy department that, If the builders are
placed under pressure. she can be made
ready for sea within three months, and
perhaps in little less time.
Captain Shoemaker, chief of the revenue
cutter service, was busily engaged to-day
in making assignments of officers to- the
revenue cutters detailed yesterday for de-
fensive service along the Atlantic seaboard.
Every vessel in the service available for
action has been, or will be, assigned to
duty. Even the new cutter Gresham on the
Great lakes and the little cutter Calumet.
located at Chicago. have been called on.
and in day or two both the lake ships will
be en- route to the rendezvous at Hampton
Roads. They will make the trip to the At
lantic seaboard through the ST. Lawrence
river. The commanders of the revenue cut
ters have been notified by wire to be in
readiness to move as soon as their general
orders are received.
The revenue cutters which will be order
ed into service and their present stations
arc as follows:
The Woodbury.. at Portland, Me-: Ham
ilton. Philadelphia; Hudson. New York;
Manning, Boston; Calumet, Chicago;
Gresham, Milwaukee; Morrow, Wilmington.
N. c.. and Window, Baltimore.
Captain Shoemaker was of the opinion
that it would require about a week for all
Of the vessels to reach Hampton Roads. or
rather, Norfolk, which will be their Off
cial rendezvous. At the navy yard there.
the vessels will receive their equipment
guns, ammunition. torpeodoes and supplies
and will make such other preparations as