The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1889-12-25
THE U. S. NAVY.
The Squadron Of Evolution, the
Result Of Congressman He
Creary's Ruling while
Temporary Speaker
Of the House.
THE SQUADRON AND THE CLIMAX MAN
IN A FOG.

For days, the press Of two continents
have busted itself with accounts of the
new fleet of cruisers sent out by the United
States, and popularity known as the
Squadron Of Evolution" 1t sailed from
New York fortnight ago, and is now on
the high seas, destined for Mediterranean
ports, having touched at Boston, Halifax
and other points.
1t is called the Squadron of Evolution,
because of the fundamental departure
from the old regime OF war vessels. mark
ing the dawn of an era in marine equipment
not to be excelled, when completed, by
the powerful nations abroad.
a score of years have passed since our
Government could contemplate her navy
without feelings of inferiority. England,
France, Germany, Russia and even little
Italy boosted better navies. There was a
time when wooden vessels were the rule,
that the United States was proud Of her
war vessels, but with the advent of steel
vessels and improved loading ar
maments, that glorious prestige waned
and vanished altogether. At the close Of
our recent war, the Government excelled
in iron-clads, but soon other countries
forged to the front, our monitors corroded
in disuse, and we were left we'll nigh dc
fenseless. An appropriation was made by
Congress, and one or two fairly respecta-
bic boats were built, but there was no in
considerable objection from Congressman.
One day, Speaker Carlisle vacated the
chair, and our own Congressman, Gov.
James B. McCreary, was seated therein.
A bill had been introduced apprOpriating
g, ooo, 900 for the building of four men-of-
war. The bill was called up. a rule Of
the House stipulated that no bill for an
appropriation could come to vote, except
by unanimous consent, unless it provided
for the completion Of some work already
begun. There was objection, and the OBJ
jectOrs, together with many of the
friends to the measure, thought it was lost
But Chairman McCreary ruled that the
Government had begun to build navy,
that it was unfinished, and that the bill
should be put upon its passage. The bill
passed by vast majority.
Contracts were signed for four men-of-
war, namely the Chicago, the Boston, the
Atlanta and the Yorktown. The fleet was
gotten ready and assembled in New FORK
harbor six weeks ago, Admiral Walker in
command. The Chicago being the largest
and finest vessel, was selected as the flag
ship. 1t has 400 officers and men, and an
armament Of 4 S-inch guns, s 6-inch guns,
and ? 5-inch guns. Its displacement is
$500 tons, is 1000 horse power, and runs
10 knots an hour. Like the remainder of
the feet, it is pure white down to the
waters edge The Atlanta and Boston
are equal in size and armament. having a
displacement of 5000 tons, $500 horse
power, and make about 1 5 knots per hour.
They carry each S-inch guns, 6-inch
guns, and $50 officers and men. The
Yorktown has a displacement of 700
tons, 2,2oo horsepower, and carries 6
6-inch guns. 1t makes, however, as fast
times as the Chicago. The fleet consumes
100 tones Of coal per day. To be less in
the way, the fleet steamed up North Riv-
er few miles one morning, and on the
way the Chicago was run into by tug
propelling feet Of coal barges. No con-
siderable damage was done, but the Ad-
miral reflected, Maud Muller like, upon
what ''might have been"
The Squadron was ordered to sail at ?
O'Clock in the morning. At an early hour,
the editor Of The CLIMAX arose at The
BarthOldi, and meandering through Mad
isOn Square, dropped in at the Hoffman
House to "see the pictures"-OnlY that
and nothing more. lie then swung round
the corner into a5rd Street and hied him
self away to the wharf to take a Hoboken
ferry-bOat. A dense fog prevailed. 1t
was the peer Of any London fog that ever
hung like funeral drapery over the murky
Thames. The water could not be seen
from The boats railing, the sun was OBJ
scured, and human being at arms length
was simply a dark object. Belle and
gongs and whistles, and whistles and gongs
and bells rang out shrill and sonorous
warnings far up and down, and across the
river. The pilot belled the engineer to
go ahead, +" only to countermand his order
in a few seconds. Thirty minutes drag
ged away, and We had not gone as many
yards. At length a big whistle sounded
hard BY our port fore-quarter, and an in-
slant later a smaller whistle screamed a
distress signal almost in our ears. Then
there was crash, and ali was silent. save
the croaking signal Of our own boat.
Absolutely nothing could be seen. Slowly
we steamed out by piece-meais, and the
whistles and bells and gongs sounded like
the cannons at Balaklava-to right of us,
to left Of Us and in front OF usage, even
behind us. The Squadron was now NOV
ing majeslically down stream. unseen, yet
moving. Suddenly, unexpectedly to most
Of the farry's passengers. brass band
sent forth the f'star Spangled Banner" in
all its patriotic briiiiancy, scarcely stones
throw in front Of rs. II was the Chica-
COS band. The nerves that Tor half an