New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-10
BROWNSON TO COMMAND.
HE WILL HAVE CHARGE OF THE 81
PAUL. IN THE EVENT OF WAR
INSPECTION OF GUNS AND AMMUNITION AN M
PoRrANr FEATURE OF HIS MISSION ABROAD
his FITNESS FOR HIS DUTIES
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE1

larry cruiser ST. Paul. on which ne sailed from
New-York for Southampton to-day. THIS matter
was fully agreed upon at the Navy Department
several days ago. before there was any thoush'
OF sending an agent to Europe. Commahoer
Brownson was the first TO volunteer TOT one OIL
these splendid unarmored merchant vessels
which are destined TO play an important part
In any marine conflict and he Is not only fami-
larizing himself with the craft Of which he may
soon have charge, but in the event OF an early
resort to hostilities Commander Brownson would
he In q nosition n week hence to assume COM
mand OF the vessel in English waters and bring
her home hazarding the attack OF Spanish
cruisers which might set out TO intercept MIN.
The precise nature OF the Commanders mis-
sion to Europe beyond his study OF the ST Paul.
is withheld by the Navy Department Tor the
present but 1t was admitted to-day that the IN
specton Of ships not the sole object or his
instructions and that he would make Visits 10
the works OF Armstrong and Vickers, In Eng
land TO determine the availability OF their SIX
inch quick fire rifles for service on United states
vessels and II he finds that they may be readily
altered to receive our ammunition he VIII prooa-
hlv he authorized 10 secure and ship Immediately
the whole supply In sight.
NEED OF GUNS AND POWDER
The conferences Of naval officials have demon
strated that in an emergency such as the pres
ent tendency OF affairs may develop the weak
ness OF the United States In ships ana other
means OF defence is readily remediaole by varl-
Gus expedients but guns and powder are essen
tails which take time 10 supply. IL was SHOWN
to-day that the maximum capacity OF the smoke
less powder works OF the United states was not
over half ton day 1t Is true that DROWN
powder could be utilized in some ships. but the
stock OF that is limited. and II appears impera-
tive that some smokeless explosive shall be pur-
chased abroad. Commander Brownson Will at
tend to this as soon as he finishes his duty with
the guns The latter are considered the most
important necessities to-day.
II Is found that to make the forgings and
finish any number Of such guns In this country
would consume several months under the most
favorable circums tances. while the Armstrong
and Vickers guns OF the same calibre as those
in the American service are famous weapons
the world over and except that their chambers
differ slightly from the naval standard Of this
country in insignificant dimensions the United
States fixed ammunition could be used In them
The chambers could be modified readily in a
short time II their immediate use was not de-
manded but in any event the projectiles made
in this country are Of the required size. Amer
lean facilities for making projectiles are unsur-
passed difficulties are presented In that
direction The steel men declare that they could
cast shells at fifty mills If they are needed
COMMANDER BROwNSON'S RECORD
Reference was made in The Tribune to Com
mander Brownson's fitness for the undertaking
which led to his selection az special naval agent
in Europe at this time. He is a New Yorker,
ffty-two years Of age, and one OF the most
active men in the service. He was appointed
to the Naval Academy from his native state as
an acting midshpman November 20, 1861. grad
uating in 1865. His first sea duty was on the
Rhode Island on the West India Station In
1860 g. and he was promoted to ensign Decem-
Der 1. 1866 He served in the susquehanna,
North Atlantic Station. 1S67'6S and was pro-
noted to master March H. 1868, going to the
Dakota Pacific station 1S69-'I0; commissioned
as lieutenant March %, 1860 He cruised sue
cessiveIy on the Mohcan and the st. MaryS In
the Pacific fleet. and the Osslpee. 1S70-'71 was
attached to the torpedo service in 1872. and was
| instructor at the Naval Academy 1SI2-15. The
! following year he on the Kearsarge on the
| Asiatic Station, and in 1s16-'7S the
| Tennessee OF the same station. He returned to
| the Naval Academy for three years, beginning
| in 1878. and promoted TO ieutenant-cOm-
! mander in December, 1850 He was commander
of the Coast Survey steamer Gedney in 1851
| and the Blake from ISL to 1884, when, after
a year as executive of the Powhatan the
North Atlantic Station he served four years,
$3.50, as photographic inspector OF the Coast
Survey.
While in command Of the Petrol. North At
! lantic Station, from 1880 to October, 1891, he
was promoted to commander in May, 1891. and
was detached from the Petrol to become general
| inspector of Cruiser No 10. then building at
| Baltimore. and this duty from october, 1891, to
March. 1892. familiarized him with ship con-
| structiOn.
Cruiser No. 10 subsequently became the
| Detroit, and it was while commanding this YES
| sci on her maiden cruise that Brownson became
famous. The Detroit is the sister ship TO the
| Montgomery. now in Havana Harbor, and like
| her, is without armor projection. Brownson
took command in July, 1893 and went to Rio
| de JaneirO HarbOr. then controlled by Admiral
Da Cana, of the Brazilian Navy, in revolution
against the Government. which retained control
on land. blockade was ostensibly kept up,
| and American ships not allowed to dis
| charge their cargoes. Admiral Benham caused
| Brownson to break UP this condition OF affairs,
and his bravery on the occasion is succinctly
| told in a dispatch from Minister Thompson 10
the Secretary Of State. January 81 1894 He
| said:
After notifying the Insurgents and the city that
he admiral Benham) intended TO protect by force
| II necessary. and TO place all American vessels
which might wish TO go to the docks alongside the
| under way and cleared for action. The Detroit
which was stationed in The best position for the
merchant vessels were fired upon. shot from
enc of the insurgent vessels fred but missed
| the boat of OF the American vessels that was
| making preparations for hauling In by means of n
line running to the shore. The Detroit replied with
a shot from six-pounder which struck under the
| insurgents bow The latter then fired one shot 10
| leewsrd from her broadside battery and subse-
| quently another shot over the merchant vessel.
| The Detroit answered with musket shot which
struck the sternpqst OF the insurgent vessel The
| latter was hailed by the commander OF the Detroit
as passed by. who declared that he would return
the fire and sink her II necessary. In the of
her again firing.
1t was this challenge OF Brownson to a Brazil
! ian officer a few yards from him that terminate ed
| the rebellion. In July Of the same year he war
| came Commandant Of cadets at the Naval Acad-
| envy, taking the cadets on their summer cruise