New-York tribune., 1919-11-10
Navy Does Mail
Order Business
In Surplus Craft
Encouraged by Results,
Offers tO6ell More <@Sub''
Chasers, Yachts and Motor
Boats at a Low Value
Ns.o York Tribune
Washington BMreox

Nsac York Tribune
Washington BMreox
WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-The Navy
Department has started in the mail
order business. 1t wants to sell some
Of its surplus torpedo boats and gun
boats and smaller craft, and has ad-
vertised that it will receive orders by
mail for boats that range in size from
scows and small motor boats to large
sized ships.
Included in the liss advertised by
the Navy Department are the 455 sub
marine cnasers built during the war.
In statement announcing the sale the
department said:
THE navy is now advertising q num-
Der of vessels for sale, which consist
OF steam yachts, motor boats, destroy
ers, gun boats, torpedo boats, barges,
scows, sub-chasers, fish boats and tugs
a great many more are to be adver-
tised in the near future.
"The navy is not ordinarily looked
upon as . commercial concern, but
since the armistice the paymaster
general has been operating q huge
mail order business for vessels. This
method of sale is not accompanied by
wiz PASooHASS VI du OAQ"1AHnlOncU
charter party, but the success of the
mail order business is shown by the
disposal Of almost a hundred vessels
OF various types, including 36 motor
boats, Ia yachts, IL barges, fish boats,
8 torpedo boats and tugs, schooners.
transports, colliers and steamers.
During the war the navy built more
than 400 sub-chasers. These are sea-
worthy wooden boats, 110 feet long,
ftted with three standard gasoline en-.
gines of 220 horsepower each. These
boats are appraised at very low values
in comparison with their original cos:
OF from $4,000 to $4,000 each. Mum
erous inquiries and bids have been re-
ceived for these boats Plans have
been discussed for converting them
into FIRE boats which can be accom-
plished for probably fifth Of the cost
of new fire tug.
Apparently .he best commercial
use to which these vessels can be put
is in the fishing industry. Careful
inquiry has been made st Boston and
Gloucester on the conversion work
required. The suggestions have been
engines using the space occupied by
the engines, the officers quarters and
forward magazine for midship hold
which viii be approximately so feet
long. This conversion can be made at
reasonable figure and the purchaser
will then have two engines either for
sale use in other boats or to be kept
as spares.
The followino vessels are now being
advert sed for sale. Motor boats:
Nightingale, Bay, Ocean, Seaotte...
Patrol No. 5, Til'amook Daiguiri
Euthema, Joannette Seagull, Rainier
Susanne, Estella, Tionita, Valeda, Me
Too, Magnet i thea. Hetman Maggie.
Coyote. Akbar Kenlah Shu... Russ Ono
Yachts; Admiral II, Halcyon. Cigarette.
Parthenia, Genevieve. Gloucester, Doro.
thea, Margaret, Naushon, Kwasind.
Sister. Pawnee, Aileen. Eagle. Kemah.
Ndelante, Actus. Vega Hawk. Destroy
ers: Bainbridge, Paul Jones, Lawrence
Preston, Decatur. Hopkins. Stewart,
Truxton, Whipple, Worden. Fusser
Lamson. Preble, Perry, Barry. Dale
Hull Reid. Gunhoats: Isla De Luzon.
Pr nceton, Yantic Gopher. Essex.
There are also tugs, scows, freight
lighters, monitors, torpedo boats.
targes. fish boats. mine sweepers
freight boats, and sub chasers being
advertised"