Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-07-11
HAYT|AN NAVY ON
WAY TO JUNK HEAP
Admiral Disgusted-Applies Cen
eral Sherman's Definition of
War to His Own Case.

Philadelphia. July s.-"Ths is GER
tainly hell" quoth Admiral Watts OF the
lIaytan navy as he paced the poop deck
of the gunboat Terrier, which lay at her
mornings In the Delaware yesterday, and
the end of his regime at
the head Of the smallest navy in the
world The converted yacht America
formerly the property of the late Archi-
bald Watt of New York and Larchmont.
has been ordered to the junk heap.
Two months ago the vessel reached this
port for some much needed repairs
Private shipbuiders said that 1t would
cost $4,000 to make the alterations. The
United States government was then ap-
pcalcd to and after some figuring at
Washington it was found that the gun
boat could be made seawurthy for about
$4,000.
I'm" new government at Hayti then had
Minister Furniss arrange for the work
TO be performed at League island and
matters were left 50 that as soon as the
West Indian republic signed contra ct
Uncle Sam would make the necessary re-
pairs.
ADMIRAL HIS OWN COOK.
INV N'Ill bIl anu Viit required DHDtrS
were not forthcoming and 'al this time
the boat has been gathering everything
on Ter keel that has been in the Delaware.
Also her idlcness did not improve her
Then the crew mutinicd and finally the
ADMIRAL was deserted and had to resort
to shad fishing TO find enough to eat. lie
was even compelled 10 cook his Own
meals.
After waiting for weeks and weeks for
some definite action Ii" has 1T last been
authorized to sell the boat as Junk and
yesterday morning a representative of the
Ritner irn the people that purchased all
the old rollins stock OF the Manhattan
elevated. when the motive power was
changed went down the river and made
Il tentative hid for the little vessel
Admiral Watts is sore. lie does not
think that mis- government has acted
automatically and he even niuts that
somebody at home has had the best of
tn" money appropriated for the support
of his navy.
PLENTY or GOLD BRAID
1T certainly beats the devil" he said.
Here ! am all dressed NJ and nowhere
W ~. 'Iot bldIl ana DTHSS buttons ana
not a nickel to buy plug OF tobacco
much less IA pound of steak. Here have
been waiting for our government TO make
good and my pride was such that have
even swabbed her decks to keep her in
good trim. I am like Robinson Crusoe.
off League Island on a million
uolar cruiser and the grocer has cut off
my credit"
The old America has had a most re-
career. Fourteen years ago she
was launched on the Harlem river Her
owner even established n complete plant
for the purpose of making this pleasure
craft one OF the most complete of its
kind. Many famous parties were given
aboard the vessel and then after Mr.
Watts death his executors advertised her
for sale.
Steam yachts were then drug on the
market and she was finally unloaded on
President Antoine Simon OF the republic
Of IIayti. He had her converted at once
to repel the attacks of the rebel forces
under the leadership of Clncinnatus
Leconte, who is the present head of that
turbulent government.
NEGROES RUINED BOILERS.
a battery of rapid fire guns was mount
ed on her decks and her elaborate 'wine
cellar was transformed to u powder
ma gazine. The vessel was then manned
by incompetent crew of negroes that soon
burned out her boilers. and when things
became 50 hot the vessel was sent 10 the
United States to keep her falling into the
hands of the insurgents. After the revo-
luton was successful the yacht was taken
home again and II was determined to put
her in good condition. Capt. William +.
Watt was summoned from New York to
bring the ship to the Delaware where the
necessary repairs We're 20 have been
made.
Claims have been pilins up Unless her
claims are paid soon there also may be
relations between Hayti and
the United States before the vessel is dis
posed of AS her admiral says there are
other things besides war that are worse