New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-17

long distance in The rear, but upon aagna rom tDe
flagship ito bear MP to anchorage" she rapidly
closed the distance and when Fort Jefferson at the
Tortugas was sighted. the Wabash steamed about
five miles off 10 the left of the line, and, casting
anchor for the night sgnaled to the others 10 DO the
same. The Colorado bore ny TO position "oontiour
miles from Fort Jefferson, cast her anchor and the
other vessels choosing favorable positions, did the
same. ...
What the next movement would be was not very
generally known, but it was supposed that the YES
sells would probably remain short time at the Tor
tugas, and then proceed to Cape Roman or Romano,
a. it il indscriminately called for exercise. The
pilot did not approve of the anchorage OF the sew
eral vessels, alleging that it was the open Gulf OF
Mexico and not a harbor, and said that II
northern arose there would be no protection
whatever for the ships. SO far removed was the
flagship from tho other end OF the line that the
signal men of the Colorado were unable to make OUT
the signals and were obliged To wait until the yes
sells nearest the Wabash bad detected them and
raisAd THAR signal Aaos in response.
At q, m. on Thursday, however, the wabash was
again in motion, the other vessels obeyiDg her sig
nails to get under way and proceed to the rendeS-
yous, point about AZ miles distant from Fort JEFF
ferson. At o'clock in the evening the vessels ar
rived at the rendezvous and cast anchor for the
",
in it's course to make it specially noteworthy. Ac-
cortug to the reckoning of those on board we were
q miles north west of Key West and AZ miles east
by north, north, from Fort Jefferson, and at the
actual rendezvous and scene of the fleets exercises
According to the pilot we were the Bay of Florida
a part of the Gulf of Mexico.
At o'clock in the morning the feet was again
under way, this time in little better order than
when they anchored on the previous evening, on
which occasion Of the vessels made Zigzags to
the disgust OF those on board the flagship and the
great amusement of the rest Of the fleet. After
steaming for q short time, Admiral Case and Com
modore Parker proceeded to give orders for the fol-
lowing maneuyers. The orders, as gwen and ex-
ecuted, were as follows:
ION the Right DIVISION" Form Columns Of Vessels"
fright in Front" Fleet Right Oblique"-' Right
Division Forward"
These maneuvers were certainly poorly executed.
The general order next given was ION the wing
divisions-form at half distance" The exercises
concluded with the repetition of the maneuvers,
Fleet by the left flank" The maneuyers were not
well executed and the Congress and Lancaster
falling behind at different intervals were promptly
rebuked by the firing of gun from the flagship call
ing their attention to the signals and the necessity
for complying with them. As the vessels bore up to
their anchorage for the night the Wabash slgnaled
to let 90 tho starbOard anchor unless there was a
reason to the contrary. The officers of the Colorado
having to the contrary let go the port anchor
but there being an apparent break IN the line
of the Second Division caused by the other vessels
falling behind, the Wabash ordered the Colorado
to weigh anchor and dress" on her division. The
Colorado accordingly weighed anchor much TO the
Indignation of her officers, who claimed that she
was in direct line, ordered and inasmuch as she
was the flagship Of the Second Division 1t was the
duty of other vessels of her division 70 dress
upon her. The matter excited much comment, and
the question whether the Colorado was right OF
wrong formed the principal topic of discussion at
the mess-tables throughout the fleet that evening
At subsequent interview between the principal
officers it was decided that the Colorado was right
The Admiral ordered that all fires should be banked
until Monday Saturday is usually regarded as
Jacks day." The morning is given to cleaning
ship, but the afternoon, unless under extraordinary
circumstances, gwen to the men, for the purpose
of attending to repairing their clothes, writing
home, reading, &c Saturday morning, however,
was partly occupied by the feet in sail exercise. At
a given signal the, flagship ordered that all the sails
should be shaken out. At another signal they were
ordered to be furled again. AS there was
much emulation the vessels as to who
should execute the orders most promptly,
tage by gradually furliDg the sails before
the order was given. This process, known as steal
ing" was promptly detected by the officers. who
ordered them to be let out again. The men appre-
ciating the advantage they had gained would make,
apparently, the most frantic efforts to comply but
the sails would not drop inch. The officers how
ever, threatening cOndlgn punishment, Jack reluc-
family let 90 his hold and awaited the regular order
from the flagship Some OF the :" tars' In steal
ing" had actually fured the sails on some OF the
vessels and they Obliged to unfurl them again.
When the general order was given there was very
great effort made but there was no uniformity III
The furling although nearly all the vessels did well
as far as time consumed was concerned.
Some of the smaller vessels in the afternoon went
sounding and fishing, and many OF the small sloop
boats were utilized for the latter purpose by the
officers or in paying visits 20 the several vessels
The principal event of the day, however, was the
arrival of the Ticonderoga from Key West, with the
mail for the feet 1t had been the intention 10 SEND
the vessel to Havana for docking and repairs, but
owing to the fact that the dock could not be OBJ
tanned she was sent to join the fleet. The Osspee
and Juniata are expected here shortly, and probably
the Powhatau and the Mayiower. Orders were
given that hereafter the rate of speed should be four
knots an hour unless otherwise ordered. Another
order was given that all spare barrels should be pre-
served for the purpose of forming taft for torpedo
practice.
Yesterday being Sunday was OF course day of
rest throughout the feet In the morning there
was the inspection usual to the day Of the vessel
and crew. aud after that ceremony there was Divine
service. The gun-deck of the Colorado was con-
verted into chapel for the time being, desk Gov
cred with the National coors serving for pulpit.
The men were seated on benches of handspikes ON
the starboard side of the vessel while the onceis
occupied chairs directly opposite. The services