The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-02-03
Twelve Spanish WaIShipS Now
Carry Old GLORY.
TWO ON ATLANTIC COAST
At Manila and Hong Kong-Good
Work OF Capps-Task That is
Set For Lieut. Hobson.

WASHINGTON, ID. C.-Twelve for
mer Spanish men-of-war are now fly
ing the Stars and Stripes as perma-
nent additions TO the American Navy.
Two of these are on their way 10
Portsmouth, y. H.. where they are TO
be fumigated and cleaned and return
ed to Cuba for duty; seven are attach
ed TO Rear Admiral Dewey's command,
and three. just raised at Manila, have
been sent to Hong Kong, where they
are TO be rebuilt. Those hoated at
Manila had been lying in the mud OF
the bay since May l last, when Dew
ey's fleet entered the harbor and de-
stroyed or sunk eleven vessels.
Despite the loss of the four armored
cruisers sunk by the American fleet At
Santiago de Cuba on July 3, the au-
thorities are well satisfied with the
possession of a round dozen of former
Spanish men-of-war. Ii is intended that
the three ships just raised at Manila
Don Juan de Austria, Isla de LuzOn
and Isla de Cuba-shall be put in the
best possible condition. not only be-
cause they are trophies OF war. but for
the service they will be able 10 render
among the Philippine Islands. These
vessels were raised by the skill and
perseverance of Naval Constructor C.
w. Caps, as is attested by this cable
gram recently, received by Secretary
Long from Rear Admiral Dewey:
Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
''Isla de LuZon, Isla de Cuba and Don
Juan de Austria have been raised and
locked My anticipations as to- their
value fully realized. Will leave shortly
for Hong Kong under their own steam.
Constructor Caps deserving OF the
highest commentator"
1t was intended that Mr.. Capps
should have charge of the recOnstruc-
ton of the raised vessels. but after
consideration of the matter and in
view of the need of his services At
the Union iron Works. where he is
supervising constructor in charge OF
the construction OF the battleships
w
ed to order him to return to the Unit
ed States and to- send Naval ConstruC-
tor Hobson to Hong Kong to supervise
the WORK. Mr.. HobsOn would have
preferred to go to- Santiago as the
representative of the Government in
connection with the floating OF the
Reina Mercedes and the Spanish ar
mored cruisers at that place, but the
department decided he would be more
useful at Hong Kong. and accordingly
issued the necessary orders.
Although a great deal of work will
be necessary to repair the Isla de Lu-
zon, Isla de Cuba and Don Juan de
Austria, Mr.. Caps has notified Chief
Naval Constructor Philip Hitchborn
that the total cost OF repairing and
raising them will be only 100000 Mex
lean dollars. or 100000 American gold.
mir. Caps said" Mr.. HitChborn
said, that when the Hong Kong COM
pany which was awarded the contract
completes the work. the vessels will be
as good as new. being supplied with all
equipment and ready to return TO Ma
Mia whenever this Government de-
sires. OF course the Hong Kong COM
pany will not be required TO furnish
guns, but il will be expected TO put
them and their mounts in good con-
dition. The vessels are just what we
need among the Philippines. and. In
fact, they We're especially built by
Spain for such service. They are small.
of light draught. and of good steam
ing radius, and will be able 20 enter
the shallow harbors which abound I'm
the islands"
From the Chief Constructor this Ia
bic was obtained. giving the dimen-
sions and other data concerning the