The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-03-10
NAVAL SHIPS IN MOTION
SCATTERED MOVEMENTS MAY BE
PART OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Interest Aroused by the Arrival of
the Machias-TwO of the South
Atlantic Squadron Awaiting Or
ders-On the Pacific Coast
Work on Commerce DestrOyers.

WASHINGTON, March 9-All naval
movements, no matter how insigniti-
can't, are now watched with unusual
interest in view Of their possible con-
nection with the plans of the govern
ment for the national defense in the
event of an outbreak of hostilities
Consequently the arrival of the gun
boat Machias at Norfolk this morning
gave rise to all sorts of speculation.
AS matter of fact, this vessel,
which has just concluded a three
years cruise on the Asiatic station,
was ordered home about two months
ago, long before the present situation
had reached anything like an acute
stage.
She is represented to be in need Of
a thorough overhauling, and undoubt-
edly will be docked for that purpose
In case she should be needed, however,
1t would not take very long to put her
in condition for active service.
Inasmuch as there is no apparent
necessity for reinforcing the already
formidable fleet in the vicinity of Key
West it is more than likely that the
Machias will remain where she is for
some time to come unless 1t should be
deemed preferable to have her take
station in the harbor of New York
The gunboat Castine, Of the South
Atlantic station, which recently went
to st. Lucia, in the Windward islands,
for the purpose Of receiving slight re-
pairs, left that port yesterday for Bar
badoes. The Cincinnati, flagship Of
the South Atlantic station, is also at
the latter port, and 1t Is expected that
both vessels will remain here for the
present awaiting a decision of the de-
partment as to whether they shall re-
turn to the South Atlantic station or
come to the United States for such
service as may be required of them in
the event of an outbreak Of hostilities.
Fitting Out Cruisers.
In the navy department the officials
were devoting their attention largely
TO the fitting out Of the tripIe-screw
cruisers Minneapolis and Columbia.
Thanks to the ability with which the
officers Of the navigation bureau have
carried out the plans formed by Secre-
tary Long last fall, for the creation of
a reserve list Of naval vessels, both of
these fine ships are in excellent condi-
ton, and can go into service in an in
cred1bly short space of time compared
with the period that would have been
consumed had they been put out of
commission, as was the practice when
ever it was not found expedient to keep
them In active service.
1t is likely that the two vessels will
go to Hampton Roads as soon as thev
are fitted out and manned, which is ex-
pected to be about the 18th inst, ac-
cording to the dates upon which the
officers are ordered to report. 1t is de-
s1rable to get them down the Delaware
safely without undue haste, and at
Hampton Roads they would be ready
Tor quick work. There they will meet
the Brooklyn.
The detail of officers to command the
cruisers was announced at the navy
department today
The detail for the Columbia is as fol-
lows: capt. j. Fl. Sands, to command
the vessel, with Lieut.. J. H. Moore de-
tached from the navy yard at Wash
1ngton, as executive officer; Lieut.. J. F.
Parker, detached as supervisor New
York harbor: Lieut.. G. H Stafford.
Lieut.. w. j. Maxwell, Ensign G. W.