Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 October 1883 — DISPOSING OF OLD HULKS. [ARTICLE]

DISPOSING OF OLD HULKS.

Secretary Chandler’s Auction Sale of Old Vessels. [Washington Telegram.] Secretary Chandler's auction of old hulks proved more satisfactory than many persons supposed it would. Bids were received to-day for all the vessels offered, except the venerable Pawnee and the not less ancient but badly-rotted Florida, and there was some competition for several of the vessels. The aggregate of the appraised valuations of the vessels bid for was $271,300. The whole cost to the Government of building, repairing and equipping these ships was Several of them, such as the Niagara, Roanoke* and Susquehanna, did good service in their time, and the Government * may be deemed to have got its money's worth out of them. Half a dozen of them are only tug-boats. The New Orleans is an old line-of-battle ship on the stocks, and the others belong to the large class of ships built during and just after the war of white oak, because live oak was not to be had, which have decayed rapidly. The Florida, for which no bid was made, was appraised at $61,400, considerably more than any other vessel on the list The engines are the principal thing of value about her. She was built for speed, and was probably the fastest steamer ever in the navy, but she only made one cruise. Ten years ago, when there was prospect of trouble with Spain, she was partially fitted for sea. According to a return made to the department, her engine received repairs and the boilers are not worth repairing. Her machinery cost $795,000; and it appears that the Government must reduce her appraised valuation or retain her. The Congress, which was sold for $26,006, contains machinery, the first cost of which was $412,000, built just after the war. and none of it is reported to be worth repairing. The lowa was appraised at $44,600, and was sold for just $5 more than that The Niagara was appraised at $29,030, and the highest bld was exactly that sum. The Secretary is in doubt whether he can accept that bid, because in inviting proposals it was stated that the ship would be sold for the highest above the appra'sed value thereof. This sale does not include the Alaska, Benecia, Saco, Tuscarora, Nairagansett, and old Monadnock, which are at the Mare Island yard.