The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-03-16
TORPEDO BOAT DEsTRoYERs.
The Government Has a Chance to
Buy the Thornycraft Designs.

The Government mas finance "
Buy the Thornycraft Designs.
WASHINGTON, March 10. = The
meeting of the Cabinet at an earlier
hour than usual to-day had the effect
to suspend most of the active opera
tions in the War and Navy Depart
ments during the forenoon. 1t was
not long, however, after the meeting
began before some of the bureau Off
GERS of the Navy Department We're
called upon to supply information on
technical points, showing that the Cab
met was more or less concerned in the
situation.
TORPEDO BOAT DESTROYERS.
The agent in this country of the
Thornycraft Torpedo Boat Company OF
England, Mr.. Platt, has submitted to
Secretary Long proposition for the
sale TO the Government of designs and
complete working drawings of the mag
nificent torpedo boat destroyers built
by his firm Predicting that the de-
partlnent would find it absolutely i'm
possible to buy any of these craft in
J Europe at this juncture Mr.. Plat mas
urged the propriety of having the Gov
ornment here start immediatel~ num-
i
+ in the construction of these boats.
The particular pattern submitted is
that of the torpedo boat destroyer
Fame built for the British Government
This craft, the type of those so
strongly desired by the Navy Depart
ment Just now, is of more than thirty
knots speed and 300 tons burden, large
enough to be thoroughly seaworthy,
OF
zeal s1eed to run 1000 knots. This
advantage is not possessed by any of
our boats, and it's Importance is fully
/ illustrated by the difficulties con-
fronting the efforts of the Spaniards to
get their torpedo boat fiotilla across
| the Atlantic to Cuba.
Based upon the statements of ship
builders who have been approached on
the subject, the department has salts
fed itself that a number of these boats
can be built in six to eight months
We have now under construction in the
United States four boats rated as
/ thirty-knotters, but with the exception
of the one built at the Union Iron
Works, which is 60 per cent. advanced
toward completion, very little progress
I has been made in their construction
:
! & HolIingsworth's one at the Gas En-
CINE and Power Company's and one at
Wolff & Sewicker's Portland, Or.
THE TALK OF INTERVENTION
Not much concern is expressed by
! officers of the administration over the
reported Intervention of European Gov
ernments, at the instigation Of Austria,
to intervene between the United states
and Spain in the settlement of the ques-
lions pending between them. SO far
it has been stated that this has taken
no official shape. or at least no indica-
tions of such design has reached the
State Department What the attitude
of our Government would be if repre-
sensations in that line We're addressed
to it by European powers was ques-
ton that the officials actually do not
care to answer in anticipation.
The suggestion that the Spanish Gov
eminent has protested against the sale
by Brazil of the two cruisers to the
United States likewise fails to cause
any feeling of concern. the naval Of
fcers holding that there can be no ques-
ton of the right of the United States
to increase its navy.
Senator Proctor called at the State
Department about noon to-day, and
spent some time in conference with As
sistant Secretary Day.
RECRUITING THE NAVY.
The Navigation Bureau of the Navy
Department is receiving reports of the
results of the efforts making at the
various recruiting stations to obtain
men for the navy. So far the Columbia
is about 2G0 men short of her full quota
of 402. but it is hoped that the neces-
sary men, mostly fremen and coal
/ passers. can be secured in the course
Of a very few days.
TO PROTECT COMMERCE.
Lieutenant Very, the representative
of the Howell Torpedo Company, has
submitted to the War Department a
proposition to supplement the defenses
of the larger coast ports. such as New
York and Boston. by equipping num-
Der of light draft steam launches with
torpedo outfits. He urges that by the
full use of this means of defense the
harbors may be kept open for COM
merce up to the last moment, which
would not be the case We're reliance
placed on the ordinary fixed mine tor
pedoes. These torpedoes have a range
or ahout TWO miles, and start off at a
s speed of thirty knots If the boats
from which they are discharged are
j properly sheltered. as proposed by
Lieutenant Very. it is believed hey
would be valuable adjuncts to the
steamers defense. The Government.
however, has heretofore regarded au-
tomobiie torpedoes as proper instra-
ments for naval use, and is scarcely
disposed to change its policy at this
date.
MORE BATTLESHIPs.
a good deal OF encouragement was
created at the Navy Department to-day
by report from the Capitol that a
majority of the Naval Affairs Commit
tee is disposed To substitute six battle
ships for the three provided for in the