The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-27

work is done Capt. O'Nei1i. head of the
bureau, expects to be able to equip
sixty crafts, if occasion demands. with
torpedo tubes.
Extensive Contract.
The contract for the big steel piers,
coal sheds and extensive coal applian-
ces fer loading war vessels at Dry
Tortugas and Key West, were let to-
day. The Union Bridge company. of
New York, will build the steel piers.
etc, both at Tortugas and Key West.
the contract price being $59O,O00. The
tracks, cars and machinery will be fur
nished by the Brown Hosting COM
pany, of Cleveland, for $151 200. These
were not the lowest bids, but the navy
department. considered other features
than the amount bid The contract
calls for completing the extensive work
at Tortugas in $50 days and at Key
west In ITO days. The machinery is
to be installed and ready for service
ten days later.
Formal orders were issued today by
Capt. Shoemaker, chief of the revenue
cutter service, for the eight revenue
vessels called into the service of the
navy, to rendezvous at the Norfolk
the commanders of the ships were to
report at Norfolk between the 18th of
March and the 9Th of April, and there
to have the necessary alterations and
repairs made upon them at the earliest
possible moment.
AS heretofore announced, the ships
Will proceed to Key West as soon as
they can begotten ready for service.
Some difficulty is anticipated in get
Great Lakes. She is too long to pass
through the locks of the canals, and it
may be necessary for the department
to cut off the stern of the vessel in
order to permit her passage of the
locks. The principal objection to this
Plan is that it will delay the arrival
OF the ship at Norfolk, but both Capt
Shoemaker and the officials of the navy
department say her value will not be
impaired.
Money for Cutters.
One official said it will be simply a.
matter of time and dollars and cents
The Calumet, stationed at Chicago. be-
ing a much smaller vessel than the
Gresham, will have no difficulty In
passing the canal locks.
Capt. Shoemaker has recommended
to the navy department that an allot-
ment from the big emergency appro-
priation be made for the repair and
equipment of the vessels upon their ar
rival at Norfolk, and in all proba bilitv
will be made.
Capt. Shoemaker inquired of the
navy department today whether he
should include in the complement of
off1cers detailed to the several vessels
surgeons, and was informed that he
should.
Preparations are making by the light
mouse board to turn over to the navv
department the light house tenders. and
instructions were issued today by the
board to commanders of the tenders
to make complete inventory of the
present furnishings and equipment of
the vessels. The tenders that will be
utilized by the navy are the Lilac. now
at Portland, Me; the Mayf1ower and
Azella, now at Boston; the Armara, at
New York, and the Maple, in Chesa-
peake bay. 1t will be necessary. of
course, that these vessels be refitted
to some extent and equipped with such
light, small calibre guns as they are
able to carry. The equipment of the
vessels and the other necessary work
upon them will be done at the Nor
folk navy yard.
1t is regarded as not unlikely that
Commander w. M. Folger, now in
charge of the New York light house
district, may be placed in command