The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-03-24

move has been contemplated for more
than week.
The monitors ordered 70 Boston and
New York will proceed under their own
steam. as they are good sea boats and
their engines are in fair condition. capa-
bic OF a speed of FIVE TO seven knots an
hour The orders concerning the four
monitors remaining at Philadelphia di-
rect that they shall he completed and
ready for commission within the next 30
days. In order 10 do this three OF them
are to be given new boilers ard Secretary
Long approved orders for these boilers
az a cost OF g.. 600 each.
Secretary Longs order OF the Terror
from New York. where she has been sta
toned. takes from New York whst has
thus been regarded as her chief vessel
reliance for harbor defense. and the mon
itors Nahant and Jason Will now supply
the place of the Terror. While there is
a vast difference between the old and the
new type Of these peculiar naval engines
yet they are essentially the same. and
naval officers say that IL IS a great mis-
TAKE % brA4cht NHaA the tAltNAANF Ait-SH VI
the old monitors is past. In recent years
they have been somewhat overshadowed
by the fine cruisers and battleships OF
the new navy, but the navy department
has never lost sight OF them as effective
coast refense vessels in time OF need
Monthly reports have been made on them
and these show that they are we'll equip
ped for the special service they are now
called on to perform. They have two Is
inch guns mounted in revolving turret.
The turrets are in perfect condition and
the mechanical device which operates che
turrets are IN good working order
throughout The guns while not az the
latest type. are effective for heavy solid
shot. The fact that they will proceed 10
Boston from Philadelphia under their
own steam indicates the confidence Of
naval authorities in their seaworthiness
n heavy sea they are completely ava N
save the turret. but II Is said that this
IS an advantage rather than otherwise
and that even in this condition they are
able 10 make from five 70 seven knots an
hour There IS no intention of utilizing
them otherwise than as harhor defense
boats. Even in this latter character the
naval officials arc fully conscious ~ their
defects. but they are satisfied that they
will prove adequate for the limited de-
fensive purpose 20 which they are as
signed
The Catsklu and Lehlgh viii undergo
some additional repairs when they arrive
AZ Boston ard those going 20 New York
may also require some additional work
there
Another important step In the prep7ra-
tons for defense has been practically
decided upon BY tho navy department.
since 81 has been demonstrated that g.
Will he Impossible for this government 20
obtain from abroad any Considerable
number q war vessels of any class the
navy department has had under consider
alton the question Of building number
~ torre9o boats and torpedo boat de-
gtrovers. Investigation has disclosed the
fact that vessels - either class co1Id
not be buUt FRI less than ninety days but
the exsrencIe4 - che case are such thar
2 conclusion has about been reached T.
IS said. % give American builders cor
tracts Tor a -uut~r ~ these vessels.
Only such builders. r0were-. as ere
known % have the necessary facilities
VII be entrusted wif1 the work. which
If the present purpose is carried 3l.o e.
feet. VII De pushed forward zita TIE
greatest possible speeI The 11mhF- 20
ta constructed has nc. been dee5e1 ur-n
bat - seems likely mat CONTRACTS T.d