Mexico's New Boat

A reporter went up to Walnut street to see the boat that is being built there for the Mexican navy, says the New Orleans Times-Democrat. It is the flrst boat that this government has had constructed in the United States and if the experiment ís a success other boats will probably be built. Lieut. Othon P. Blanco of the Mexican navy happened to be on the grounds at the tim and he told all about the making of the boat and its use in Mexican waters. The contract was awarded about two month3 ago to V. Zuvich of this city, who was to deliver the craft to the Mexican government within live months. The buider decided to patronize home institution?, so he purchased his material froni the local firms. The boat has cypress ribs; will be planked on the botton and sides with cypress three and four inches thick; will have pine planking between the decks and will be flnished in oak. The length is 65 feet by 24 feet beam by 12 feet depth and the draught will be 2% feet. When completed the total height will be 24 feet. The heavy armament will consist of two guns, ona in the bow, the other in the stern. These and the small guns will be placed aboard the boat after it has been delivered to the Mexican government and is in Mexican waters. The cost will be $9,000. Lieut. Blanco, in speaking about the boat, said that it would be used on the coast of Yucataa and mostly in the Cheturnal bay. Into this bay flows many rivers, from whlch much mahogany is rafted. Formerly the Yucatán Indians owned all tho land about the head of these small, shallow Btreams, but recently the Mexican government took possesslon of this property. By this action the Yucatán Indians were deprived of a lucrativo business and the government has not beeii able to stop all timber depredations. In spito of the best vigilance, the Indians continue to rut the timber, raft the logs down the rivers and sell them to the ships. This illegal traffic the government wishes to have checked and when the boat is put into commission the officers hope to compel a stop to the business. This is the fiWt Uoat that the MexiJJ ram guvernment hasj ratracted to havo bum fn ïhe tTöfttfriTttrteB.