The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-15
LILLY" OUT OF WAR
States BastIeship Sold
After Meeting of States
Council.

North Carolina is now withot a
navy, or at least a battleship. Her one
gun battery, consisting of a Hotchkiss
quick-frer, is still intact, but it no
longer rides the wave. The quarter
deck of the once proud Admiral White
is empty No more will the jolly pre-
serves disport themselves on practice
cruises. The navy has yielded up it's
proud and portly dignity to CONNER
cial demands, to base economy.
In other words, to be done quickly
with a painful subject, the Lilly is no
more as ship of war Her battery
in the shape of the deadly Hotchkiss
has been removed, and the pride of
the State navy has been sold. The
council of State it was that authorized
the deed on yesterday afternoon; and
the Governor of the State and the
Secretary of the same, following the
lead and direction of their advisers in
the persons of the other State officers
have signed their names to, the bill of
sale. At least they have the courage
of their iniquity. The names are there,
big and bold, in black ink: "R. b.
Glenn" and u. Bryan Grimes" 1t is
they who in times of war must answer
for the lost quantity of the State bat
tleship, they who when an alien fleet
may cut the Mullet road at New Bern,
The purchase of the Lily was made
by Mr.. Charles E. Cook, of New Bern
at the price of $4,000. Five hundred
of this sum was paid in cash, and five
hundred shall be paid thereon in semi
annual installments of five hundred
each with interest until the purchase
is complete. The State, of course re-
tains title in the meantime, although
the possession goes at once to Mr..
Cook
AS stated above the battery of the
warship is not included, the Hotch-
kiss being specially reserved from the
terms of the sale by the State. It's
fate is as yet a problem, or a specula-
ton. 1t is a corker for fourth of Julys
and it will be clamored for by every
town that possesses an orator who is
born" Military companies, also, to
say nothing of the naval reserves, will
be applicants for the honor. The ord
nance, however. is considered too
dangerous to be out of the possession
of the sovereign state.
The Lily was bought some years ago
for perfection against oyster pirates.
On her decks, the bravest commander,
the most daring sea-dog, was doubtless
Admiral White. He made record,
which stirred the State from the clam
shells TO the mountain laurel. Under
the seas. And now, now she is to be
a-a-well, not at any rate ship OF
war. The Lily has gone into trade
The Lily is portly ship, S3 feet
long, II $40 fet wiede, with a depth
of 4 2-10 fet. Her gross tonnage is
$3.50 and her net 1888. She is a
peach, the Lily, even without her
Hotchxiss gun.
Although the Lily is no more in the
navy. there are two cruisers left tc
| the State in the webb" and the
| white" gasoline launches that have
draft of the thickness of a sheet Of
manila paper and are too small to car
/ ry any armoment larger than a ter
| bore shot gun. With these the State
is satisfied. though the cost of then
was small, 500 for the Webb anC
$5S5 for the White. 1t will be crafty
ing to the State to learn. therefore
/ that the navy is not yet extinct.