NOTES FROM AMERICAN PAPERS.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume VIII, Issue 493, 14 May 1898, Page 6 (Supplement)

NOTES FROM AMERICAN PAPERS.

-0+- — Probably e*>ybody who has a ship under construction which by any possibility can be turned into a war craft has written to the Navy Department offering it for sale to the Government. There is a strong tincture of war prices in the figures named by these patriotic citizens as a selling price.

The Navy Department has discovered, remarks another paper, that the market is full of political salesmen. The desire to get some of the 50,000,000d01s appropriation has whetted the appetite of a host of persons who wish* to unload upon the navy stuff that is worthless. The Navy Department officers desire that it shall be understood that political influence will not increase appreciation of unseaworthy vessels, or blind the department to its determination that the money to be expended is to be put out with prudence—for coal that will burn and make steam, and for vessels that are needed and are found to be likely to respond to needs—and that no purchases are to be made upon political recommendation. Xnstead of being welcome, it is safe to say that merely political bargain or contract hunters will be offended at the reception they will receive at the Navy Department. Plans have been made and are now under consideration for converting the Ellide, the fastest boat in the world, into a torpedo boat, for the use of the Government. She has a record of more than 40 miles an hour, and could easily distance any other vessel afloat. C. D. Mosher, her designer, has been in Washington consulting with the officials of the Navy Department in regard to the employment of the vessel as a torpedo craft. He submitted plans which, it is said, were favourably considered. If the negotiations which are in progress for the boat end in her sale to the Government the necessary alterations could be completed, and she could be made ready to be put in commission in ten days. It is the opinion of experts that she would prove a valuable -addition to the torpedo fleet. Her owner is E. Burgess Warren, of Philadelphia, a well known yachtsman and a man of wealth. It is understood that he is willing to sell the yacht to the Government if she is wanted.