The Washington times., 1901-11-11

The report says in regards to sending
coal by naval transports:
There are nine navy Golfers in commits.
sion with merchant crews Four of small
size. viz; the Saturn. Justin, Pompey, ana
NaEShan, are employed in the Philippines
and at Guam They are found very useful
ty the communicated distributing
coal from Mania TO various ports in tn,
China Sea for the ships of the squadron
and especially throughout the Philippine
ARCHIPELAGO for small gunboatS. one is
kept permanently At Guam serving as
station ship as well a depot for coal
The Hannibal and Leonidas are used
to distribute coal on the Atlantic Coast
and the West Indies. incidentally, they
serve a useful purpose in the school OF
the fleet since the rapid transfer of coal
from golfers to battleShips and cruisers
is an important preparation for war.
The Alexander, Caesar. and Nero, soon
to Ice supple mentCd by the jaX and
ErutUs. are colicrs of fairly good size
and used to transport coal to the Orient
and the Pacific.
The Alexander and Nero We're recently
admitted. on account of their national
character, to the port of La Paz, Mexico,
with cargCes of coal for the new depot at
Pichilinque Bay by the Mexican authori-
ues, without duty on the coal or port
charges.
The bureau rencws its recommended
tons of last year for the construction of
two large steam Golfers capable of trans
porting 1O,OOJ tons of coal in addition to
bunker coal and other necessary aCces-
sories. With accommodation for second
airy battery and navy personnel These
Golfers will be extremely useful for trans
porting coal to distant depots in time of
peace and to accompany the fleet in time
of war. Their speed should be sufficient
when fully loaded TO keep in company
with the fleet when steaming at normal
speed"
The Bureau Of Equipment invites the
attention OF the Secretary of the Navy to
the following extracts from the comments
OF Rear Admiral Pluddemann. of the Ger
man navy, on the main features of the
war between the United States and Spain:
ne late war Will give new impulse
TO the important question of supplying
coal Ships and fleets carrying on war in
a region where they do not have avail
able bases OF supplies ana coal depOts in
their immediate vicinity. 0r whenever
they are not certain that there may not
be occasion for their having to leave such
region temporarily. should have their own
colilers alorS- The golfers should have
the same speed as the squadron The
ships should not be compelled to rely on
rendezvous or the uncertainty Of golfers
sent after them. But not only should
care be taken 10 have sufficient sLpply
OF coal, but also to provide appliances for
taking coal on board under all rircllrn-
stances in the shortest possible time The
lack Of such appliances has contributed
not little to the d sdsters of the Spanish
Inc coaliHS OF Admiral Camara's 5 ships
at Port S2ld was nothing but a comedy
Aumlral CerVera intended to coal rapidly
anceS FOR that purpose proved so defec-
tive that the United States fleet had shut
hlm up IN the harbor before he could
iAlSh coallnS, which operation took sew
eral days. At present not many ships are
n"lns built with that end in view, nor are
they being equipped with appliances for
coahng IN the shortest possible time This
VIII he absolutely necessary In future. so
Jhat the ships may be enabled to take on
coal or other fuCl either from a ~ IF or
from lighter or collier at sea"
Ihe report says that the bureau has
continued its arrangements to supplv
ships with coal in foreign ports. much to
he advantage of the Government. At
present, the report states. the bureau |
las an agreement with various firms for |
he delivery of coal to United States |
hips In aboUt fifty-three ports. In dis |
.ussing the use OF coal barges Admiral |
Bradford says:
Following the policy of the bureau,
Ound necessary during the Spanish war
he supply of coal parges has been in
reased during the past year for use in
oaling ships of the navy. The recent
rder of the Department making he coal
lS OF ships an evolution has given a
reat impulse to rapid coaiing and
rought about a feeling of keen rivalry
et"oen ships in regard to their coaling
scoTds.
The method Of supplying coal to ships,
5 might be expected, has very great in
uence upon the Tapidity Of taking the
pal on board. Large ships can secure on
ach side, at one time, from three to five
arges. making total OF from six to
IN, all OF which can be utilized at the
sme time by the large crews OF war
lips
The favorite barge for rapid coaling
fiat lighter without covering of any
Irt. This type affords great facilities |
II filling bags. buckets, etc. on account (
easy shovellng, and has no top hamper !
interfere with hosting. Such barses. /
1weVer, do not protect the coal from the
Gather, and they must be loaded after |
lc arrival Of the ship in port, thus caus-
& delay in placing coal alongside.
The bureau has designed fat barge
lving d house with very large sliding
lors at the sides and ends. also large
idng matches on top, which viii, 1t Is
fought enable the barges to be kept |
AIDED with the coal protected from the
Gather, and when opened up VIII not
riously interfere with their rapid DIS
large. This type Of barge can be placed !
ongside a ship Immediately after her
rival in port loaded ana ready lor mn
ediate use. Some Of this type are now
lder construction and Will be thoroughly !
sted."
space Is devoted to a dis
Ission of the establishment Of number
coal depots in foreign ports and III the
nited States, and giving an account OF |
e work accomplished upon them so iar.
Particular attention is paid to the erec-
on of a coaling depot in this city at the
'ashington Navy Yard. Regarding its |
Admiral Bradford says;
''An appropriation Of $1,000, under the | ,
enhance of the Bureau of Yards and |
ocks. has been available for the cree
on of coal storage plant at tins navy !
ird for some time. Plans nave been !
'epared and proposals are about being s
;ked by advertisement. ,
Coal for steaming purposes is not kept :
hand to any extent in the city OF I
ashington, and it is necessary for the
apartment to secure its own supplies Z
coal for ships and tugs that are sta :
1ned at the navy yard, and also Tor VS.
ng vessels. G
For some time past the bureau has r
yed the necessity Of eXpediting the con- /
ruction Of suitable means for the above
entioned purpose. The delay has been ! G
1cfiy due TO difference of opinion as to c
e proper location Of the plant. I
the proposed trans-Paciitc
bmariue telegraph cable, the report |
ates that The survey for the cable has C
en- completed and fully discussed in /
her reports, no additional work upon | c
having been accomplished during the c
st year. 4
Inder the head of ocean and lake sur
Us it is announced that the following o
wal ships have been engaged during the I
ST fiscal year in marine photographic v
1rk: i
rhe United States ship Yankton under |
e command of Lieutenant Commander !,
l.. Dyer, U. S. ". and Lieutenant Com L
lndcr S. A. Staunton, u. S. n, respect f
,ly, completed the survey OF Nipe Bay, il
ba. Later she surveyed LeviZa and v
bonicO Bays
rhe United States ship Vixen, under the v
mmand Of Commander c. X Curtis. L.
n, completed the survey Of Port Padre 0
", then took Up and completed a sur a
V OF the Bay OF Sagua dc Tanamo. on q
E northeast coast of Cuba. a chart of X
rt Padre Bay has been completed, and q
G Of Tanamo Bay H. in process Of con- e
'uction. s
The United States slip Eagle under the a
mmand of Lieutenant Commander f. q
Fletcher, L. S. N, after completing a
rvey of the approaches to the naval 0