The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-03-29

oAchS lC
THE NORTH ATLANTIC SQUAD
RON.
At the same time the North Atlantic
station under Capt. Sampson is to be
further augmented. The cruiser Gin
~cinnati, which left Port Antonio three
days ago under sealed orders, Is to re-
port at Key West n become a part
of Captain SIMPSONS fleet. The gun
boat Wilmington, also en- route from
Port Antonio, will likewise report to
Captain Sampson at Key West, as will
the gunboat V~icksburg now at Hamp-
ton Roads. Late today the navy de-
partment gave out the following list
of vessels, as showing the exact charac-
ter Of each feet
The following vessels compose the
North Atlantic Squadron: New York,
Iowa, Indiana, NantOnomah, Fern
Puritan , Terror, Marblehead, Mont
gomery, Delaware, C~astine, Nashville,
Helena, Wilmington, Vesuvius; tor
pedo boats, Foote, Dupont, Ericsson,
Gushing, Porter, Winslow; tugs, Ley
den and Samoset."
The following vessels onpose the
flying squadron: Brooklyn Massachu-
sets, Texas, Minneapolis and Column
bia."
OTHER IMPORTANT NAVAL Or
DERS.
Some of the other developments of
the day may be summarized as fol-
lows:
acquisitions were made on the ma
val ordnance bureau for a large num-
Der of quick-fire 4-pounder and g.
FOUNDER gun to be mounted in the rev.
enue cutters and the steam yachts
about to be purchased. The bureau de-
termined to use the Quick-fre guns for
these craft which had been originally
intended for the Atlantic liners st.
Paul and st. Louis. Captain Bradford,
chief of nava equipment, completed
plans for securing a a cOaling sta
ton in waters south of Cuba, and the
papers are now ready for final action.
The station will mot be ON Navassa is
and as has been suggested, but is like
ly to be at one of the several fine har-
bOrs of Hayti or San Domingo, or else
On the Danish island of st. Thomas,
which is open for purchase from Dem
mary for a cOnsiderab BILE sum. Late to-
day the ibattleship Texas was ordered
from Hampton Roads to the New York
navy yard to repaid her machinery for
hosting ammunition and guns.
! Favorable answers We're received
! from the New York naval militia on
i their appearance on short notice to
! supply officers and men to man the
| single turret monitors now called into
| service.
TO PAINT WARSHGPS BLACK.
Orders were issued today to have all
! w%arShips painted black, a color that is
| better adapted to hOStilitieS because
| the vessels will not afford as good a
target.
! NEW TORPEDO BOAT PURCHASED
The navy department was informed
i. by cablegram from Lieutenant ColWell,
ava attachee ITO the United States
embassy at London, that agents OF
this government had purchased a
''schischau'' torpedo boat that had been
constructed for the German govern
ment. The new acquisition is of the
general type Of German torpedo boats
and this is regarded ais a valuable addl-
tlon to our navy. One feature regard
ing her that affords special gratifica-
tiOn to the officials of THE navy depart
ment us hat she is now ready for sea.
lit is expected thai in a few days she
will leave for the United States. She
will be able to make the journey across
the Atlantic without difficulty, as she
is a good sea-going vessel n her Goa
capacity is ample for the "trip to this
| country. She is a % knot vessel, anG
| about $50 feet long. While of the same
general type as the Rodgers and Foote
OF the United States navy, n Is q
trifle larger. AT the navy department
the precise dimensions of the new boa
could not be given. The price paid fol
her the navy officials declined at this
time to state, but 1T was said to be
very reasonable. Work On the vessa
has just been completed, she never
having been in service. She lis suppos'
ed to carry three torpedo tubes and tWt
small calibre rapid fire guns. Min II
twelve men will be needed to man her
FORTIFYING PORTO RICO.
Word reached the navy department
officials today that the Spanish author
ities have AIKEN steps to supplement
the existing Notifications at a Juan
de Puerto Pico, the main part Of TIN
island eff Porto Rico. The news is re
ported as significant. Porto Rico is tn
only other possession which belongs tt
Spain on this hemisphere beside Cuba
The officials of the department., w1hllt
acknowledging that Information Of tht
above character has reached them, ar
yet very chary about imparting any o
the details to the press. The city %
Puerto Rico is fortified after the ole
style prevalent i'm early days, the de
fenses consisting of a wall which com
pletely e~ncircles it, of several forts a
strategic points, while the only point
OF egreSS and ingreSS are through mas
sive gates. These Qualifications ar,
strengthen and the armament has beer
increased by two large guns of formid
able pattern and calibre. a Jual
has 3,414 inhabitants.
ADDITIONAL COAST DEFENSES.
General Flagler chief of ordnance o
the army, today had a long cCnferenco
with Secretary Alger with reference t.
additional guns and gun carriages. 4
few days ago, Secretary Alger allotted
to Gener FIagler 81, 600, 600 from tn,
Emergency appropriation made by con
gress to be used by the ordnance bu
reau in the discretion OF General Flag
Ter. This amount VAS not, in the opin
ion of General Flagler, sufficient t,
meet the requirements of the presen
emergency and his conference with tn
secretary was to obtain an additiona
allowance. After a careful anvasS o
the situation Secretary Alger CAV
General Flagler a liberal additional al
lotment from the appropriation, but II
| inflammation pouI5 he abtajDpI pithIf