The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-25
FLEET UNDER WAY
SquadrOns Depart From
Fortress Monroe.
LONG LINES OF WARSHIPS.
The Philadelphia and the Blake Lead
the Way to the Review at
New York.
LONG LINES OF WARsHIPs.
special to THE moRS1xe CALL.


gathering here for two weeks past weighed
anchor this morning and started on Its way
to the review in New York harbor The
rendezvous was broken punctually at the
time set by Admiral Gherardi, and the big
feet got away promptly and without the
slightest mishap.
The hour from s o'clock to was taken up
chiefly in the roadstead by salutes which the
Brazilian flagship Aquldaban had been
forced 10 postpone from last night by the
falling Of the sunset flag before the squad
ron she led could come to anchor. The fort
was first saluted and then Admiral Cher
ardPs antlcipatOry salute last evening was
returned. Courtesies were then exchanged
with the British, Russian, Dutch, German,
French and Italian flagships, the last salute.
that Of Admiral Magnsghi, being accom-
plished few minutes before o'clock.
Sharply at o'clock the Dolphin, flying
the fOur-starred pennant of the Secretary
of the Navy at her mizzenmast, drew mp her
anchor and set the signal for the flotilla to
begin its evolutlOns for departure. BY
Admiral GherardI's direction the first or
port column of the feet, led by his own
flagship, was to steam west into the road
stead, turning in a long circle and
forming its lines off Newport News, while
the second, or starboard column, under
Admiral Hopkins. should mass at the mouth
OF the roadstead aud await the return OF the
Philadelphia and her companions. The
Dolphin was not to enter either line. but
simply gave the signal for weighing anchor
by starting westward over the course to be
taken by the port column.
AS soon as the Secretary's Yacht had got
under way the PHILADELPHIA cast loose from
her position off the Government pier. where
she had lain unmoved for nearly three
weeks, and steamed slowly westward into
the roadstead. On a signal from the flag
ship the first division of the American feet,
led by Admiral BeDham, broke line and fol-
lowed
The Newark. which flew Admiral Ben
hams two stars on a red field. had been
moved early this morning to the eastern
extremity of tie American line and could
thus uncover the first squadron, cruiser by
cruiser, as she moved up to Join the Pha-
dephia.
The Atlanta, which had held the outer
most position Of the feet during the rem
devious, was accordingly promoted for the
cruise 10 New York to the second place in
the first squadron. The San Francisco
came third, then the Bennington and the
Baltimore.
as the ships steamed past the pier on
their way into the roadstead the marines
stood at arms, the crews were mustered and
the band played the "Star-spangled Ban
ner." The Girl I Left Behind Me" and
other appropriate airs, while on the shore
thousands Of hats and haudkerchiefs were
franticaily waved from the pier and hotel
piazzas in admiring farewells to the gallant
American officers, who smiled sadly from
the starboard rails of the cruisers.
The broad and bulky Philadelphia, with
her jury masts and untightly stacks and
ventilatOrs. led the way toward the mouths
of the James and Elizabeth, her furnaces
throwing dense clouds of smoke behind as
she gradually Increased her speed from two
or three knots to ten or twelve
The graceful and com m odious Newark.
with her high masts and becoming rigging
offered an agreeable contrast with the dis
fgurement of the senior admiraPs flag
ship. as she moved easily and beau
tifully into her place behind the PhiIa-
delphia. The Atlanta, Irregular and repel-
liant in outline, but with her cigar-shaSed,
TOofed-oyer decks relieved somewhat by
the tall masts and spreading spars of the
0rlg's sailing rig, put In line between the
Newark and San Francisco. served at least
10 heighten and emphasize the admirable
lines and general sightliness OF these two
splendid American ships.
The San Francisco, unlike the Newark.
has military masts, but with this west coast
cruiser, as with the Charleston, these dis
figuring substitu es for the tall, wooden sail
carrying type have nothing of the bizarre
ana hdeous uncOuthness Of the easlellated
tops of the Jean Bart.
The crack ship Of the Pacific was followed
in line by the little Bancroft, the Naval
Academy's practice-ship, in hull, but in
hull only, miniature of the powerful and
formida ble-iooking Baltimore. with which
for rear guard the first squadron closed its
ranks. Between the Bancroft aud the
p Baltimore, however, came the trim and
iaunty Bennington, looking more rakish
and yachtlike than ever in contrast with the
heavier and bulkier types of warships on
either side.
Admiral Benham's squadron had, on
passing west into the roads, uncovered the
second American division under Admiral
Walker and the flagship Chicago immedi-
ately dropped into place behind the Balti-
more. This biggest of the Roach cruisers.
with her jlbboom and graceful rigging, has
always held her own in comparisons with
the later additions to the navy from other
yards, and is still one OF the finest-lookinR
and most effective Of all the newer ships.
Flying tie white pennant with two blue
stars Of the junior rear admiral she made
An entirely imposing and satisfactory
leader Of the second squadron, which
proved both smaller in numbers and in
ferioT in tonnage.
Behind the flagship came the Yorktown,
already famous in the navy for her stanch-
ness and seagoing qualities. as she deserves
to be for her sprghtly and attractive
looks and great practical utility as a
cruiser of the smaller class. The Charles
tOD,with her low and open bow and stern. but
heavily built up amidships, with not too top
heavy military masts, and dangerous and
warike air, the only large ship Of the
second division. besides the Chicago, fol-
lowed the Yorktown, and was In turn
followed by the fiat, MISUNDERSTANDING
Vesuyius. The Concord, which was on the
extreme western end of the feet, was the
las! Of the American squadron TO fall in
line, and she speedily steamed away In the
wake Of her more easterly neighbors.
The big Dutch wooden cruiser Yansprik,
which was to join the first or port column,
under Admiral Gherardi, got under way
while the Vesuvius and Concord were taking
up their lines, but her horsepower being
low, she fell somewhat astern in the turn
Ing maneuyers In the western ends Of the
roads.
The two German cruisers. the stately
Kaiserin Augusta and the smaller Seeadler
both white in coat like the Americans, were
chosen TO bring uD the rear of tile port
column, and both followed the black-hulled
and slow going Dutchman in his tardy detour
10 the west.
Meanwhile the starboard column under
Admiral Hopkins had been assembling at
the mouth Of the roads, the Blake dropping
down 10 point eff the Eastern wall Of
Fortress Monroe. At signal the other
three British cruisers followed and ranged
themselves IN position 20 await the return
Of he port column, which was nown only
an indistinet mass of stacks and masts on
The smoky surface Of the water, four 10 five