The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-05
ANNUNTIONH)R CHINA
Ship lOad of it TO be Hurried to
the Squadron.
CRUISERS ARE REFITTED
Military inspections in Vogue
at Army Posts,
CRUISERS ARE REFITTED

Washington. March 4.-The navy depart
Taent is making preparations to replenish
the supply Of ammunition Of the United
states Warships on the Asiatic station. To
-ais end orders have been sent 10 the
raining ship AEohican, now at Mare Is
land. TO carry the ammunition. The ship
was just about to leave for a long cruise
with the naval apprentices, going as far
as the Samoan Islands. Her first stop was
20 be at Honolulu and the department has
seized the opportunity 70 utilize her as q
powder ship without interfering with the
itinerary already arranged for her cruise.
She VIII carry thirty tons Of ammunition
tor the China fleet, and will start almost
Immediately. It is said az the department
mat this Is only a part OF the regular
supply Of ammunition forwarded to the
United States naval stations abroad when
opportunity serves
Every warship. under the regulations
-as q certain allotment OF ammunition.
She is expected 70 have target practice
at least once every quarter, YET the regu-
latiOns provide that her supply Of powder
must never be allowed TO drop beyond a
certain specified quantity, sufficient to
meet any emergency. On the Asiatic sta
ton, from the expenditure Of an undue
proportion of ammunition in target prac-
tce, or through the failure Of the depart
ment 10 keep up the supplies. some of the
ships are obliged 10 forego further target
practice until fresh instaIments Of powder
are received. The department has gath
cher hundred tons Of ammunition at
Mare Island for the Aslatic feet and this
stock has been lying there for several
months on account Of the inability OF the
ordinance bureau 10 forward it. The mer-
chant marine engaged in regular passen-
ger traffic either refuse absolutely 10 car
~ such a dangerous cargo or ask exces-
sively high freight rates in order TO pro-
tect themselves against loss Of insurance. /
The first opportunity that presented itself
% many months was the sailing Of the
gunboat Concord some weeks ago, but
owing TO her limited ght-carryiHg ca
pacity she was able 70 transport only q
portion Of the ammunition. The present
plan is for the BIohican to take the re-
mainder 10 Honolulu, where il VIII be
trans-shipped either to the Baltimore or
to the Bennington, now lying there and
Forwarded 70 the fleet at Hong Kong The
Boston and Concord both arrived At Hong
Kong yesterday.
DOLPHIN AND CHICAGO.
New York. March 4-ConsiderabIe hurry
characterizes the work in the navy yard of
getting the dispatch boat Dolphin into
normal condition. She has been thorough
~ overhauled and VIII be as spick and
span as a brand new boat by March l..
one hundred and fifty men are working
on her and on March p Commander Lyons
viii hoist his flag and the Dolphin viii
bs once more in commission. She has
been retltted with new engines, boilers,
deck and spars.
Admiral Bunce says that the old guns
win be placed in the Dlphin- Formerly
the Dolphin was painted white from deck
to keel. but now she carries a band OF
dark green. which extends from the keel
to point two feet above the water line
SIedEe hammer blows deafen the ears
of those who stand near the cruiser Chi
csgo. which is being reftted in the navy
yard. Her guns and upper deck work I.
have all been removed. \ new nickel .
steel deck has been built in her TWO feet Z
below the water line and she has been /.
fitted with new engines, boilers and ma /
-h.nerv She will have new decks with /.
an armament Of rapid-fre guns but viii I.
cot 20 into commission until August
Similar work IS going on where the /.