The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-11-08
THE RENDEZVOUS OFF.
Secretary Herbert Expresses Regret
that the Exiscncics of the Service
Prevents the Same.

Secretary Herbert finds that he is
not able to comply with the wishes of
the Business Mems Association to rem
devious the vessels OF the North Al
iantic squadron in Hampton Roads.
He states that since his interview
with the committee at Newport News
1t has become necessary to send the
vessels to navy-yards for needed re-
pairs, and stores. previous to their win
ter cruise in the Caribbean Sea. The
Following Is the correspondence:
Norfolk, Va. Oct. 81, 1895.
Hon. II. y. Herbert, Secretary Of the
Navy, Washington, ID. c.:
Dear Sir-in compliance with your
wish expressed to the Committee OF the
Business Mems Association. of this
city, after they saw you on the occa-
sion of the launching of the gunboats
Nashville and Wilmington, at Newport
News, ! wrote you in relation to the
News, | wrote you in relation to the
direct a rendezvous of the vessels al :
tached to the North Atlantic station
in Hampton Roads. such day or days
as you may think advisable.
AS you are aware %. large number OF the
people of this country, especially from
the Middle and Western States, are
WISHING the Atlanta Exposition. and as
many OF them have never seen n mod
ern bnttleship IL Is considered that Il
rendezvous in the Roads would afford
them an excellent opportunity of form
iilS an lici pI our navy.
Since | saw YOU the committee has
been in correspondence with the OIL
Gals of the railroads terminating at
this port, and all have expressed thci,
Willingness to give every facility to the
visitors TO Atlantn to visit Hampton
Roads in order to see these great ships
of TIE North Atlantic squadron. The
committees would suggest the latter
part Of November. between the 22d and
10th. i'm order that the Intervening
time might be employed in making
known to the country the fact that the
vessels are to rendezvous in the Roads
In behalf Of the committee beg to
express thanks for your courteous re-
ccrtion at Newport News. 1t was not
only appreciated by them but by the
business Association they represented.
Very respectfully yours,
NJ. GLl2NNAN
Chairman Committee Business Mems
Association.
Navy Department,
Washington, Nov 3, 1895.
Sir:-l have 10 acknowledge the re-
ccipt of your letter of the 31st ultimo. re-
fcrring to our recent interview ut New
port News in regard To having the yes
sells attached to the North Atlantic
stations rendezvous in Hampton Roads
this month.
Since our conversation ii has become
necessary to send the vessels to navy
yards for certain needed repairs. and 10
get the stores required for their winters
cruise.
1t will not he practica bic to assemble
the vessels in Hampton Roads ut the
time YOU specify or even later. The
interests Of the service require that the
Important work upon which the squad
ron has been engaged for some mont hss
shall he continued With this object i'm
view, the department proposes to send
the squadron to the Caribbean Sea. as
soon rs the vessels can leave the navy
yards.
Regrctting that the eXiGcncies of the
service prevent me from complying with
your request, | am,
Very respectfully.
II. y. HERBERT.
Secretary.
Mr.. NJ. Glennan. Chairman Committee
business Mems Association, Norfolk
Va.