New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-09

CERTAIN TO SAIL EARLY THIS MORN
ING 1T Is SAID.

MAJOR SEAMAN DENIES FALSE REPORTS ABOUT
THE sHrP-PRAIsEs GENERAL sTERNRERG
The transport Chester with the LIST Regiment OF
Volunteer Engineers board was again deiayei
Yesterday from starting to Porto Rico, but the ON
GERS charge OF the vessel said last evening una
she would certainly sail cary this morning. AS 10
the cause Of the delay there is more than one eA-
PLANTATION According to some the machinery Ok
the Chester was found to need repairs on Sunday
while on the other hand 1t is stated that the
Ouartermastcr's Department has not succeeded IN
placing all the necessary supplies on board In tme
for the start as originally arranged. IL Is probable
that both these reasons are responsible TOT the
delay All dag yesterday barGes were loaded with
supplies Pier No 3. East River, the pier OF the
New-York oulrterinas;er's Department, and towed
to the chester. which lay at anchor on Bed ows
Island.
Some OF yesterdays newspapers contained reports
that the Chester was unfit for the transportation
o. a large body Of men the front. II was stated
that there little food On board, and no water;
also that there WAS no ventilation tor the sleeping
quarters OF the majority OF the men on the lowe:
deck The Chester. 1t added. designed
for a freiehter and 10 carry only few passengers
The members OF the engineers regiment were
obliged TO occupy the space that was originally IN
tended for freight
When a Tribune reporter saw a number OF the
officers Of the regiment yesterday he in
formed that .-cSe reports were greatly eAagger-
atcd Among those who were seen Major
Louis l. Seaman. the surgeon OF the regiment
OF course" said Major Seaman. THE men found
that their quarters were somewhat crowded after
they went on board But they did not expect any
thing else one does not expect that every luxury
and comfort viii be found on q transport, but
want to say that everything that has been pos
sible has been done by Co.one! Griffin and the
Qlartermasters Department. The report that
tIere Was no water Oh the Chester absolutely
untrue. So is the statement that the snip is not
"A Il, be
would nnd the neat oppressive when we GOT on
ably not everywhere else III the last dag or TWO.
and l imagine tnat after we have been d few
n9Irs at IA on are the ocean ''eeAsS vi"
With reference to an interview with himself
printed In .ne or yesterday mornings newspapers.
Major Seaman was anxious 10 deny any impress
sion that surgeon General Stenberg has been re-.
supplies The surgeon General he said. mas
done e'trythns possible Tor the comfort and well,
Is owing to ineffi6ent assistants In General stern,
bcggs Office. also WISH 10 say that Lieutenant
Colonel Brown. the head Of the Army Medical De
partmcnt in this city. has given every possible
asssan9e to men III saan'ns supPnes ana N otner
everything that l. needed In the way NJ medical
one In chars". but Of the engineers OF the ship
ro o ne nehsc nr1 ", o one rin
s~nt a request % the Qu4rtermaster's Department
for two excursion haTgts TO be brought alongside
Inc vessel so mat tho men might h. able 60 stay
and the bargcs. which arrived early yesterday
morning proved an immense comfort. II was not
considefcI advisable to allow any u the men on
shor" such oicerS ~ rnfl aimed i.aV" were ordered
TO repo.t - IN" rhin Or o'clock yesterday after
noon a. !; known III ltc that the Chester
would be able to start yesterday. While the
men were In the hargcs he decks were thoroughly
scrubbed aud ~. slIes 90 the " ssel whit ewashed
eciric fans have been pin, ed N IN" hold and II
| Is expected now that the Trip Will he fairy COM
| Portable ...f
| There were not 50 many visitors to the Chester
| Yesterday sunday, when the boatmsn or
| Staten Island r~gtVd rich harvest " charging
persons " ho wished 20 be rowei 20 the ship 81 and
l. for tho round tril The. serEe at the quarter
masters Department uiet was. however. an AMI
! mated one and many friends and relatives or the
engineers awaited themse vts Of the tenders which
puf out. iuy barges. every hour or 80 Tor the
| chester Major Summerhayes. - the Quarter
masters Department. was AZ the pier IN the AFTER
| noon TO look after ihe ARRANGEMENTS for shipping
| suuples