Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-22
IMPORTANT NAVAL ASSIGNMENTS.
dissolution OF the Review Fleet and New
Duties for Its Commanding Omcers.

dissolution OF the Review Fleet and New
Duties for Its Commanding Omcers.
Secretary Herbert has completed the assign
ments Of the commanding officers attached to
the naval review feet and the future dispo-
sition Of the vessels constituting that feet.
Ihe orders were issued today. In the main
tney suostantiate the predictions made 10 The
erAR in regard to this matter.
The dates set for the general shaking ND are
May 81 and June I. On the former date Rear
admiral Gherardi will haul down his flag as
eommander-in-chief Of the naval review feet
siter having completed four years of service as
neet commander and total Of nearly twenty
M years sea service. On the same day Acting
Rear Admiral Walker will pull down his flag as
commanding officer OF one Of the divisions Of
the naval review feet and will be granted three
months leave Of absence.
SQUADRON COMMANDERS.
Rear Admiral Benham. at present in COM
msnd Of the first division, will transfer his flag
rom the Newark to the San Francisco on June
! and formally assume command of the North
Atlantic squadron for the remaining year,of his
tour on the active list Rear Admiral Gherardi
VIII formally relieve Commodore Erben in COM
mand OF the New York navy yard, on June !.
Inc latter VIII be given an acting rear ad-
command Of the revived European station,
with the Chicago a. his flagship.
The command Of the South Atlantic squadron
Is still unsettled. The purpose, however. is to
re-establish this squadron to something like its
FORMER status and assign q flag officer to COM
mand it. Commodore Walkers assignment to
shore duty viii not be fully determined until
MS leave OF absence expires. He offered
either the Boston or Mare Island navy yards,
put declined them. There is talk Of putting
80 k~~A IL l. -. 0frnY
put this Is only in the air at the present time.
His preference IL said 10 be for duty in Wash
ington.
DESTINATION OF THE SHIPS.
The destination Of ships a. far As fully de-
sermined upon IL as follows: North Atlantic
squadron, San Francisco (hsgship). Miantono-
mob, Atlanta, Kearsarge and Vesuvius. Euro
Pean station, Chicago (fagship) and either Ben
nington or Concord. South Atlantic station,
Newark. Ysntic and either the Concord or
Bennington. The Philadelphia, Charleston
and Yorktown will be added to the Pacific
squadron, which, in addition, comprises at
the present time tho Boston, Monterey, Mo-
hican, Thetis, Adams. Ranger and Alliance.
The Baltimore has been ordered and fitted out
Tor the China station to succeed the Lancaster
ss flagship. The latter vessel will be ordered
home next spring. The transfer Of the San
Francisco to the homo station Ii q change re-
Gently made. 1t was found that the Phlladel-
phis could leave this coast Q month or two
earlier than tho San Francisco and she was &C
cordingly selected. The Philadelphia has been
ordered fitted out Immediately, and Ii 10
hoped to have her under way on her long voy-
age around the Horn not later than June Is.
The changing of feet commanders will nee
eesariy mean . general change in the STATS of
admirals, and also Of many Of the officers in the
fleets. The three years service Of many Of
them has expired, and in some instances the
ships viii start out with practically new details.
Nothing has been done yet with Commodore
Brown, although it ia probable that he will be
the next commandantof the Norfolk yard. The
Secretary will still have to deal with the COM
mandants of the Mare Island and Boston yards,
but these are Of minor importance compared
with the details already made.
A GREAT suaPRIsI
The detail Of the Chicago as flagship OF the
European station was . great surprise to all
hands, who had expected that vessel to be
soon laid up at the New York yards for exten-
sive repairs to her machinery. 1t was stated,
however, that her engines are in good condi-
ton, and that she can without difficulty re-
main away for . year, by which time, it is be-
loved, the New York win be sent out flag
ship. The Chicago will have as companions
the Bennington and another Of the smaller
boats, and will be joined by some Of the new
ships that will be in commission during the
summer. The Baltimore will leave in June for
China, with the Concord or some Of the smaller
ships. probably the Maehias, Detroit or Castine.
Tho navy yards will be ordered to hurry
work on all the ships with the utmost dispatch,
30 that no delay may follow in getting of to
their new stations. Nearly all Of the ships. ex-
cept the Philadelphia, win have to undergo
some minor repairs before sailing, but as she is
in perfect condition she viii sail early in June.
The San Francisco will be ready for active
service by the middle of June, and the Charles
ton will be in condition to sail by July l.
Work Is now being pushed on the San Fran
cisco and Yorktown at the New York yard and
the Charleston and Concord at Norfolk, and
soon the other ships viii leave their anchorage
in the North river and be divided up between
the two yards.