The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-09
THE AMERIGO VESPUCCI.
Search Of the Potomac Fails to Re
veal Her.

Efforts to find the Italian cadet ship
Amerigo Vespucci have proved unsuc-
cessful. A representative Of The Times
went down the Potomac yesterday after
noon on board the police boat
Vigilant Commodore Sutton, the harbor
master, endeavored to discover the
whereabouts of the vessel.
He was informed that she was report
ed in the Chesapeake Bay last night.
She was sighted by Norfolk and Wash
ington steamboat. This report led to her
being expected at Washington yesterday
and later it was rumored that she had
been seen in the vicinity Of Fort Foote.
which is a short distance nearer Wash
ington than Fort Washington. Then
Commodore Sutton steamed down the
river as far as Fort Washington. With
the aid of the glass Il clear view Of the
river twenty miles below the fort was
had but there was no sign Of the Italian
ship. In the vicinity of Upper Cedar
Point. sixty-hve miles down the river
there are shoals known as the Kettle
Bottoms where the water is only eight
cen feet deep If the Vespucci can get
across this place she can reach the city
as she only draws seventeen or eighteen
feet Of water.
TIL VigiIant steamed close to the de-
Tense works at Fort Washington and a
good view of the construction was had.
A large sailing vessel lay near the shore
and a gang of workmen under navy
lieutenant was employed in the unload
ing OF cement which was conveyed up
the embankment by a cable truck. At
the foot of this track was erected a house
in which the material for submarine
mines is stored. Lying near tree in full
view were half a dozen mines of the
floating type They were formidable
looking objects. The Lieutenant in charge
of the work hailed the police boat and
announced that he had some washers to
be used in gun carriages which were
found unavailable and should he sent
directly to Washington. i am very anX-
ious TO send them to the city no have
them fixed: can you take them for me-
he asked Commodore sutton. The latter
replied aftirmatlyely and the officer wrote
a note to be sent TO the Navy Depart
ment. The washers We're loaded aboard
the Vigilant and the return trip began.
When several miles below Alexandria
the Government snagbOat used 10 clear
the river Of Instructions was sighted and
she, too, stopped the police boat and said
that Mr.. Duckett. an electrician employ
ed IN the work of laying the mines was
anxious to reach Washington at once.
He was then taken aboard and brought
to the city.
There is unusual activity displayed all
around Fort Washington and also in the
neighborhood of the government maya
/ zine located Just below GiesborO Point.
, Along the shore near the fort there are
several flags which indicate the position
Of emplacements and the disappearing
guns 1t was learned that the large
quantitiy of cement which is being con-
veyed inland is used in the strengthen
ing Of the emplacements and fortifica-
tions which are arranged in the bank of
the river.
! Late last night he charge d'affaires
! Of the Italian Legation called a. the Of
nee of the harbor master and requested
information as TO the Italian vessel. He
! explained that he had several letters for
the naval officers Of the Fespucci ad-
/ dressed in the care Of the Italian Lega-
ton and would like to know where the
boat was that he might deliver the com
i municatiOns. II have not been informed
] whether she viii come to Washington,
but presume she will" he concluded. II
is possible that the vessel may come up
today.
When Mr. bucket left The Government
snag boat and boarded the police tug
he was interviewed by one Of the news
paper men. When asked about the mines
and torpedoes which were seen lying al
tie Upper wharf of the fort he said thar
the work of laying them would begin al
most Immediately. He said he had spent
| the day al the fort talking with CAPT.
! Howe the Office" in charge and that
| their conversation ran for he most part