The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-22
Quartermaster's Department En-
deavors to Secure Her.
NEW SERVICE FOR THE GUTTER.
Capt. Robinson Says the Vessel
Would BE . Valuable Adjunct
would BE Plenty Of Work for Her
In Connection with the Alaska
Department, Magnolia BLUM Army
Post and sound Fortincations.

rha oid time revenue cutter Corwin, soon
N ~ sold by the government, may instead
be transferred to the Puget sound divls-
ion OF the quartermaster department OF the
United States army. The plan Is indorsed
by Assistant Quartermaster Robinson. OF
this city, who yesterday confirmed the re-
mort which has been In circulation ever
since the government. a fortnight ago. def
initely determined to sell the Corwin at
public auction.
Capt. Robinson says this branch OF the
uuartermaster's department Is soreiy IN
need OF the Corwin. which he. regards as
peculiarly well adapted for the ser
vice to which he would put her. He points
ant that she could be used to good al
vantage in transporting supplies TO the
Magnolia blum army post and the fortinca..
tioris about the Sound, to say nothing OF
the almost valuable services she couia aen.
der the government In transporting troops
and army supplies to Alaska.
It Is already apparent that there Is go-
ing to be a vast amount OF such business
tary at Cape Nome. Should occasion arise
the Corwin could also be pressed into iife
saving service about Cape Fiattery ana
along the coast o. VANCOUVER st is,an wrecRed
sometimes with loss OF life.
Eyes, It is true" said Capt. Robinson,
when asked for confirmation OF the re-
port regarding his plan to secure the Cor
am now in correspondence with the depart
ment relative to the matter. We could put
the Corwin to many uses. Indeed we need
lust such a vessel in connection with the
department work on Puget sound and In
Alaska. She would make an especially
valuable acquisition in view Of the vast
amount of quartermaster work to be done
in Alaska next season. We Will have to
provide transportation for many soldiers
and large quantity OF supplies.
"There will be in the future great
amount of just such work every year in
Alaska to say nothing of the work we
could find for the Corwin on Puget sound
in connection with the army post and for
tihcations. Men and supplies have TO be
moved from place to place and this work.
with that Of Alaska, would certainly give
the Corwin all she could do. regard her
as peculiarly adapted to this character Of
work She Is strong, seaworthy vessel,
not too large nor too small. Besides the
transportation of men and supplies she
could be employed in heavy towing should
IT, of course, cannot tell what the de-,
partment will do in regard to my recom-
nendation. But, In every way possible I
shall point out the necessity OF such
move"
The Corwin is now, where she has always
been, under the treasury department. All
that would be necessary to- comply with
Capt. Robinson's request would be an order
transferring her from the treasury depart
ment to the war department. Or IL the
government does not wish to abandon the
her bid in and then transferred This,
Capt. Robinson stated. could be done by
the war department
The Corwin is advertised to be sold at
Port Townsend next month. Sealed bids
for the vessel are now being received by
Capt. Tozier. president of the examining
board. All bids must be in by February
10. After that date the government will
receive no bids. 1t reserves the right to
reject any and all offers made for the
vessel 80 II is not probable that compica-
lions will arise In connection with the sale.
There Is some talk of the Chamber of
Commerce taking action relative to Capt.
Robinson's recommendation, which IL heed
ed would insure the operation of the Cor
win from Puget sound.
It is estimated that the alterations ne
cessary In case Of the Corwin's transfer to
the quartermasters department would not
entail an expenditure of more than 5000.
San Francisco has vessel. the Gen. Nc
Dowell. devoted to Quartermaster work.
The Corwin cost originally about $4,000
not including her armament and equip
ment. She could with a little alteration
be made to carry seventy men and $50 tons
of supplies. She is light coal consumer,
using but eight and half tons per day.
and Is capable of making nine or ten knots
an hour.
The Corwin will sail tomorrow for Port
Townsend where she will be tied up for
inspection.