National Republican., 1884-08-30
NAVAL EXERCISES.
Evo1utions OF the North Atlantic
Squadron in tho Presence OF Distin-
guished Persons.

Euihueu G-trsOhss
Providence, Aug. 29.--Tho North At
lantio squadron went to sea to-day from
Newport and tho exercises wero of the
most interesting character The Albatross
took out Secretary Chandler and numcr-
Gus distinguished persons, including
Senators Hawley, Aldrich, and Mr.. Butler,
Mr.. Kinsley Mr.. p. G. Hendricks, private
secretary of Postmaster General Gresham;
Mayor Franklin, Collector Cozzens, POST
master and Mrs. Coggshall, tho four last
named of Newport; Capt Sclfridge, Capt,
Yates, Commodore p. c. johnson, Lieut..
Com. Newell. Miss Foote, Capt. Shales,
United States army, and other prominent
people. Between 10 and IL o'clock the
squadron got under way and proceeded
to point southwark and eastward from
Point Judith.
Tho Albatross, with tho secrotary's
party. went out an hour later, and the
Despatch. with President Arthur, Pot
master General Gresham, Attorney Cen
oral Brewster, Mr.. Mills, and Mr.. Tiffany.
Of New York, rau out soon after 1 o'clock.
On tho way out tho wind blew moderately
from south, southeast, and 1t was then
seen that tho Nantucket, Alarm, and
Passaic wero returning, tho probability Of
thick fog making them take precaution-
ary measures for perfect safety.
As the monitors and ram passe ID tho
secretary's ship tho mon and boys stood
at attention" and uncovered, making
an exceedingly pretty sight.
The weather was cloudy aud tho breeze
rendered wraps and overcoats very COM
Portable. After stoaming for over half an
hour the squadron was sighted, and finally
was reached below Point Judith, and
formed in tho following order: Tennessee,
flagship Yantic. Saratoga, Alliance and
Vandalia. Soon after the arrival the sig
nal, will fire in succession as we pass tho
targets" was given from the flagship and
repeated to each of those in the rear of 1t.
This meant that they would fro at the
three targets, which had previously been
dropped near by. They were about 1,700
yards from tho vessels.
The Tennessee opened target practice
at 1:35 and made some fair shots, one or
two shots coming quite close to IL. Tho
Alliances first shot went away over and
so did the majority of those from tho
others, except from the Vandalia, the
first of which burst quite near the target.
The Vandalia's shots wero the best of the
squadron. After slight pause tho squad
ron then got In echelon, position that
would enable them to fro on an enemy
in any direction except that of their own
line. The last firing was done when tho
squadron was in echelon.
Orders were then issued from the flag
ship to make sail, an evolution which the
men on tho Yantic performed with
alacrity. 1t had set sail first, Alliance
second, Swatara third, Tennessee fourth
and Vandalia fifth. The signal to shorten
sail was next given, and again the Yantic
was first. with the Alliance second, VAN
dalia. Swatara, and Tennessee third,
fourth, and fifth. The next was reefing
topsail, in which the Yantic once more
led the van, Alliance second, Vandalia
third, Swatara fourth, Tennessee fifth.
Down top gallant and royal yards and
top gallant masts," was next given, and
again the Yantic excolled, the secretary
and his party heartily clapping their
hands. Alliance second, Tennessee third,
Vandalia and Swatara being about the
same time.
On board the Tennessee there was q
good deal Of excitement among the boat
swain and his crew, all lending hand
land voices too) in the effort to make a
record for the flagship. Just then every
one was amused by the peculiar salutes
sent out from the whistles of Mr.. Ben
netts Namouna, aud which were ro-
piled to by the Tennessee. The signal
"furl topsails" was next, and was per.
formed as to speed in the order following
Yantic, Alliance, Vandalia, Tennessee
and Swatara.
This was the end Of the exercises, and
every spectator appeared to be very
highly satisfied at what had been shown
The exercises were most successful. TIL,
Despatch then went over to Narragan.
sett Pier and the Albatross, with the
squadron, returned to Newport, coming
10 anchor about 4;30 p. m.