The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-27
NAVAL NEWS.

NAVAL NEWS.
THE HEALTH AND PRESENT CONDITION OF TIN
SQUADRON AT PORT RoYAL-DIsPosITIoN OF
THE VESSELS OF THE FLKET-CHANGE IN
COMMANDERS.
PoRr ROYAL, S. c., August 81, 1916.
Tho naval squadron anchored in Port Royal harbos
has probably suffered more from the heat and discom-
forts Of protraced summer than any vessels aaoat
The has been OF exceptional length and GER
tany OF AN unusual degree of heat without intermis
sion or cessation. From early in Juno until the pres
ent moment the mercury has been dancing among the
nineties, ami rarely, night or day, has been below
eighty degrees The strong sea breezes that usually
mitigate tho severity Of the heat have been generally
wanting this season, and the consequence IS every
one feels, moro or less the effects OF the
enervatpg and facilitating climate. In the North
you have cheated spells frequently of long duration,
but they always followed by cooler days and ngh.s
when exhausted nature is recuperated aud strength
cned so that 1t endure the next siege. Here we
grateful reet Of that kind bu: must suffer on
without change or alienation Of the Ills that depres
us, until the autumn comes with its brisk, crspy,
cool winds and lovely days.
Notwithstanding the extraordinary and protractcd
period OF terrific heat have passed through
tho health OF the officers and men on
board the vessels here has been won
dcriuly and exceptionally good There have bees
OF character due TO climatic causea
Although encrvased no one is really sick in conse-
quence OF the weather; and all hands will
feel strong and elastic again when the September
winds blow. These facts show that Port Royal is.
after all, of II not the healthiest port the
Southern 1t has never suffered from vsitaions
OF yellow fever, common and deadly al Key West
and Pensacola Malaria OF a serious type is not known
here although in some Of the surrounding islands,
where there pools of fresh water IA the summer,
fever is occasionally experienced but shipboard
scarcely ever In the winter the climate IL Remark
aUy nhc and healthy and simple existence is felt u 10
luxury Mith cooier weather come the varied sports
which Tue land aud water oilers 70 those who seek
them In richest profusion. Inc islands are filled
with deer wild turkey quail, partrages snipo,
curlew and fowl OF every variety, while
the waters with every kind OF fish, including the
splendid gamey bass which il frequently Of great size
and strength. So, IN moments OF relaxation, officers
and men. ut tho proper season, enjoy splendid sport
with rod and gun, and right at hand. II certainly
the sportsman paradise.
In spite OF heat and tho eucrvating climate the
routine OF drills aud exercises has been maintained by
Commodore J. NJ b. Ctz, commanding the station,
with regularity and SUCCESS ON board I'LL The vessels o
the squadron throughout The summer The recent re-
ducti0n OF the complement Of officers and crews ~
iron cads has vi course caused change IN the Ire
quency and style OF drills. Under the system pre-
scriUed by the Navy Department the crews OF the
monitors united under the command OF Captain
A. w. Wrann, OF the Dictator, and drilled on
board each monitor In succession The routine covera
week cach vessel and consists OF groat gun exc
the lurrcts small arms drl and single stick
exercises On one day In the week the marines arc IN
oughly drilled. Lieutenant n II. Barnes, Of The
monitor Aahopnc. is drill officer OF the sailors; and
Lieutenant Logan, OF the New Hampshire. marine
officer, puts his corps through steps, Frequent IN
specl0ns are made by Commodore Cltz, anu II any.
tniny Is wanting It is supplied a. once me system
the discipline OF tue crows are maintained " credta
bic degree In case OF an emergency tho monitors
could be ready Tor service at any moment by
placing board the proper complement Of
officers and men. They arc In excellent condi-
silver dollars Tho en",nes are uDdsr charge HV OF
Passed Assistant Engineer Isaac r. McNary aud As.
sistant Engineer Albert Dixon who working hard
highest state OF efficiency, and they have four
ors 10 care Tor ther task Is easy one. especially
1t Is understood that Roar Admiral lie Roy com.
manding the North Atlantic fleet has ordered all ths
the LIST day ol October, Tor fleet drill Hs
will not be present himself III the flagship Hartford
Captain s. B Luce, as ne 10 10 be relieved by Rear Ad.
mmai b. Trcnchard. The fleet then here Will consist
oil tue flagship Hartford, The corvette Swatara Com.
mandcr A. r. Cooke; tno corvette Shawmut Com.
ander GDs5 nc e0,ss' Hu
corvette Adams, Commander j. W. Philip,
cruisers, and tho vessels here under command Of
Commodore Ciiz, VIZ :-FIagship New hampshire,
monitors Dictator, Captain A. W. Weaver; Ajax, Com.
mandcr I. II. Eastman; Lehigh Lieutenant George
W.
Aahopac, Lieutenant George X Durana; Manhattan,
Lieutenant james A. Chesiey, and Saugus Lieutenant
Joseph Marthou. The Pawnee, Lieutenant J. X VIM.
ID to be repaired and converted Into u coal hulk.
Win the above force there Will be- no DOUBT, very
interesting series Of drills and exercises during The
autumn and winter months. which will probably DO
witnessed by many visitors IRON the North spond
the winter IN Beaufort
The various cruisers of tho feet ut present dis
tributed in the North. The flagship Hartford, Roar
Admiral Lo Roy Is AT Philadelphia, wnere hts experi-
cncc aud happy tact IN extending delightful and ce-
CANT hospitality brought IN pkay III outer.
tanning officers OF The foreign war visiting
tho Centennial The corvette Plymouth. Captain f.
Barrett, Will relieve the flagship about september ii
aud act the national host ut the great ExhiUuuu
Tue latter vessel has been north a cruise visiting
Halifax aud Eastern ports on s,si, aud viii
VISIT New York The Swaiara, Co.amander
Cooke, Is now at Boston. The Huron, Comnausel
Carpenter, is doubtless AT Portsmouth " H. and the
shawmut, Commander witse, is al New London or
Newport. The latter vessels had prolonged expcrt
ricnce Of the discomforis oil West Indian
cruising and are now recuperAling the health
OF their officers and crows. The cor :ete
tho crs OF the Navy Department. "a cruise In the
West Indies, probably at ST. Domingo She Will
doubtless show her numbers hero before winter
To-day have the information that Rear Admiral
lie Roy has been relieved, at has request vi the
command of the North Atlantic station TO take effect
the last OF August HIS successor Is Rear Admiral
Stephen b. Trcnchard, a very capable exycri.nc.d
and popular officer. Rear Admiral Le Roy Viii b1
greatly missed by the officers fleet AZ bv ms
courtesy, GENIAL bearing and high prot onal skin no
has secured the confluence AMI regard OF all mo
has many OF active before him IL IL ~, bo
hoped shall see his broad ponnant Tying M Ain be
lore he hnaliy rcres In Admiral lrsncnat, lie t,ct
will hnd high minded gentleman, who VIII ,nanrain
the exceheh. usciphne and marked efficiency Of sll
the command