The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-01-31
POWDER SUPPLY AMPLE.
Secretary Long Corrects a State
ment Of E1-Minister Woodford.
WERE READY FOR SPANISH WAR.

At No rine Were the Vessels Of Our
Navy short OF Ammunition, ana the
Government Had a Liberal Supply
in Reserve.
Washington Jan. 31.-Secretary Long
has addressed letter to General Stew
art Il. Woodford In which he says: II
find the papers attribute to you cer-
tain statements with regard to the
supply of ammunition in the navy dur
Ing the war which are SO erroneous
! that l cannot believe you have been
correctly quoted. l have asked the
bureau Of ordnance to give me the ex-
act facts and inclose you copy of the
statement. | am sure you will be glad
to read it," Then follows the report
from the ordnance bureau, signed by
Charles O'Neill chief of the bureau. 1t
Is as follows:
Referring to the reported speech of
General Woodford at the Army and
Navy club at New York on Saturday
evening last, in which he is quoted as
saying that on Feb. Is, 1898. three
days after the Maine was blown up in
Havana harbor, he received informa-
ton by telegraph that this government
did not possess powder enough to pro-
vide the warshiDs and forts with two
rounds for each gun," so far as relates
to the navy, is an error. as every ves-
sci was practically filled up with her
allowance Of ammunition
"The regulations of the department
prescribe that the reserve ammuni-
tion for guns of the main battery, ex-
cept on monitors and coast defense
vessels, shall not be allowed to fall be-
low 40 rounds per gun for six inch
caliber and above, nor below 80 rounds
per gun for the rapid fire guns and no
vessel Of the navy was reduced so low
as this.
"In addition to the supply Of am
munition afloat the navy had a fair
amount in reserve, especially Of pro-
iectiles. There were less rounds of
powder per gun than Of shell, and for
this reason, by direction of the secrc-
tary, an emergency order was placed
for powder ON Jan. 15, 1898. just one
month before the destruction of tine
Maine, and by the 18th of February,
the date of that catastrophe, the navy
department had about 100000 pounds
of powder in reserve, and it was being
turned out in large quantities daily.
$50 far as relates to the supply of
ammunition on Dewey's ship, the fact
Is they never were reduced below the
limit prescribed by the department. and
they could have safely gone into ac-
tion without receiving further supply.
The vessels engaged expended only
about third of their allowance.
''As further showing the state of the
ammunition supply of this fleet. it is
remarked that on Nov. 2, 1897, orders
were issued by the bureau Of ordnance
to the Mare Island navy yard to pre-
pare for the Olympia. Boston and
Petrol a quantity of ammunition which
would completely Al their allowance
and give them one quarter ia, get prac-
tice in addition. This ammunition was
forwarded as rapidly as possible, thus
filling up all the vessels of the Asiatic
fleet. but without this they were in
condition to go into battle.
"As soon as the department learned
that a battle had been fought steps
were taken to make further ship
ment to the East Indies, and on May
2 and n shipment was made by ex-
press from New York to San Francisco
of 1000 five inch cartridge cases and
$500 six FOUNDER cartridges. these be-
ing the only articles sent by express,
and they were sent to go by the
Charleston, which was to sail on May
q, 1898, or by the City of Pekin. to
sail on May 25 The Charleston took
81 rounds of assorted ammunition.
The City Of Pekin carried 22.445 rounds
and 40 gun cotton mines and miscel-
'aNcous supplies. The Monterey, fol-
l.wing, took 94l rounds. The Monad-
d., n"'s, following. took 1873 rounds. and
~" collier Nero also took $3.50 rounds.
These shipments were made in antici-
patton Of possible further need of the
squadron, and. 1t will be observed,
were sent after the battle of Manila
bay"