New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-19
GRANTS SAILING DELAYED.
TROOP SHIP WILL PASS OUT AT SANDY
HOOK THIS MORNING.
GENERAL GRANTS TOMB SALUTED-oFFI-
GERS AND CoNGREssMEN INSPECT
THE VESSEL.


GERS AND CoNGREssMEN INSPECT
THE VESSEL
The programme arranged for the sailing OF the
transport Grant yesterday not carried out
in full on schedule time. The Grant is the first
transport TO leave this port for the Philippines.
and she is also the first Of the new model troop
ships to be fitted out by the Government for the
use Of soldiers travelling TO and from the terri
tory recently taken from Spain.
The original plan was for the transport TO sail
I'D the North River at 10 o'clock yesterday
morning as far as Grants tomb and returning
pass out TO sea on her voyage Of forty days by
way Of the Suez Canal. The first obstacle in
the way was the fact that when the Grant left
the pier at Pacihc-st.. Brooklyn. Tuesday
evening, ready to take an anchorage OF Liberty
Island where members Of the Senate and House
Military committees. with several Army officers.
we're to inspect her. one OF her propellers foued
a steel cable. twisting 1t around the propeller
shaft. 1t necessary to send several divers
down 10 remove the piece Of cable.
Another reason for delay was the fact that
number Of additional supplies needed
the transport, and they not placed
board until late yesterday afternoon. The party
Of officials from Washington visited the trans
port early yesterday morning. according to the
original arrangements and thoroughly inspected
the vessel, being highly pleased with the ar
rangements made for the comfort Of the soldiers
on their long voyage.
The vessel did not start UP the North River
for Grants tomb at the time originally
ranged much TO the disappointment Of many
people who had assembled at the tomb and
along the North River front to see her start.
The loading of the transport and the repairs
necessary were completed at o'clock last n
irQ nd she at nod nd
started up the river.
GRANTS TOMB SALUTED.
Accompanied by the quartermaster's boat the
General Megs. the Grant arrived opposite the
tomb a little before O'Clock. 1t was dark when
the ship arrived opposite the tomb. A salute of
twenty-one guns fired in honor Of the dead
hero AS the salute was fired the band OF the
4th Infantry played The Star Spangled Ban
ner'' in acknowledgment. The Grant then pro-
ceeded down the river.
Early this morning the Grant Will start on her
trip 10 Manila. and as she passes out Of the
harbor a salute OF seventeen guns will be fired
by the forts In honor OF Major General Lawton.
who is in command Of the expedition, which
consists Of the 4th Infantry and battalion Of
the 18th Infantry
The party Of Army officials and members Of
the Senate and House committees Military
rived at the Pennsylvania station, Jersey City.
at $40 o'clock yesterday morning. They occu-
pied two sleeping-cars which, as soon as the
train arrived, were drawn back into the rail-
road yard, At o'clock Captain J. w. Lttell.
representing Colonel Kimball met the visitors
and, after having breakfast. the entire party
went on board the ordnance boat General Megs.
Senator sewel. of New-Jersey. met the visit
when he boarded the boat, and Colonel Kim
ball arrived just as the party embarked Among
the visitors we're Adjutant- General Corbin.
Quartermaster- General Ludington. General
Henry NJ Duff1eld. Major George H. Hopkins.
military aid to the Secretary OF War; Victor L.
Mason. private secretary to Secretary Alger
Senators Proctor and Warren. Representatives
Marsh. Griffin. Fenton. Belknap. Mcdonald.
I,entz and Jet. Major w. p. Huxford and Her
man d. Reeve clerks to the Senate and House
committees respectively Secretary Ayers
cousin D. T. Alger, also one of the party.
INSPECTING THE TRANSPORT.
At o'clock the General Meigs steamed down
the Bay and soon ran alongside the United
States transport Grant. which lay at anchor
near the statue OF Liberty. The big vessel was
decorated with bunting. and her decks
crowded with the soldiers Of the 4th and 18th
Infantry. AS soon the Meigs made fast
alongside the transport the gangway Of the lat
the visitors went on board the transport where
they were received by General Lawton
The party was conducted through the vessel
and the quarters Of the soldiers were closely
inspected, as was also the hospital Senator
Proctor seemed TO take keen interest in every
detail Of the arrangements for the accommo-
dation Of the men, and when the party reached
the deck again the Senator expressed himself
highly satisfied with the arrangements.
All the other visitors were equally well
pleased and the unanimous opinion was that
the accommodations were excellent, and no finer
or better appointed transport than the Grant
could be desired.
There are 1872 beds fitted up. sixty Of which
in the hospital. The non-commissioned off,
GERS and men of the 4th Regiment and the
battalion of the 18th Infantry number 1870.
The officers with their wives and families, will
number more than one hundred and fifty, and,
counting the crew, there ~-'' be more than 2'lOO
souls aboard the vessel when she sails
The soldiers greeted the party with much en-
thusiasm. The visitors inspected the hunks
constructed of iron pipes and canvas. They
remarked tie cleanliness and orderly arrange
ment Of the bunks, tables. chairs and settees,
and noted the admirable arrangements for vent
lation. Although rs many as eighteen hundred
men had slept between decks the night before
there was perfect ventilation. and the air was
fresh and clean.
Besides the hospital the visitors also inspected
the cold storage section OF the ship and the
quartermaster's stores.
PLEASED WITH THE VESSEL.
The Grant was declared TO be a model trans
port and those who knew the Mohawk before
1t was transformed into transport were sur
prised at the change After the vessel was
thoroughly inspected as to its equipment for
the soldiers and transport facilities for so many
men. the fire and engine rooms were visited
the darkroom for fresh water. the distlilng
plant and other quarters. and many OF the
party cvinced something Of regret that they