The Portland daily press., 1895-06-26
NORTH ATLANTIC SQUADRON.
A Magnificent Fleet will Probably As
semble in Portland Harbor.

Some time ago the PRESS published a
statement that a very large fleet of
United States war vessels would probably
be seen in Portland harbor this summer.
1t was the intention of Secretary Herbert
to enlarge the North Atlantic squadron,
and after visit to several home ports
send it on visit to Halifax.
1t appears now that the vessels for the
home squadron have been determined on.
The home squadron now consists of the
Minneapolis, the Atlanta, the Mont
gomery, the Cincinnati and the Raleigh.
The Minneapolis and the Cincinnati are
undergoing repairs. The other ships are
practically ready for service, excepting
the Montgomery, which is engaged on
duty with the Nicaraguan Canal Com
mission. Admiral Kirkland was ordered
Sunday to send the New York and the
Columbia home as soon as practicable
Emperor William of Germany has re-
quested that the New York remain at
Kiel for a brief period, in order that he
and some of the German naval experts
may visit and inspect her. This request
was promptly complied with by cable
but Admiral Kirkland was informed that
New York is to start for home. The
Columbia will proceed to Copenhagen for
coal. At that place the New York will
join her. Both ships are expected to
reach New York about July 10. Admiral
Bunce will hoist his flag on the New
York shortly after her return. Neither
the Columbia nor the New York requires
repairs, SO that both vessels can be calle d
upon for service without delay.
With these two ships the home squadron
will be increased to seven in number.
About August l. if the present pro-
gramme is carried out the fleet will be
further augmented by the addition of
the Maine and Texas, the two govern
ment built armored cruisers, mountin e
sixty guns and carrying sixty five officers
and 74O men. The Maine will receive in
Portland the elegant silver-service pro
yided by the state. and to be presented by
fleet in port the ceremonies of presenta-
tion would possess more than the usual
interest. At this time, possibly a little
later, the monitor Amphitrite will join
the squadron. Thus, before the end of
August, Admiral Bunce will have under
his command the largest and most
efficient squadron which an American
over Admiral Gherardi commanded the
combined fleet at the naval review, but
that aggregation was less effective than
the proposed squadron.
Some practical idea of the power of the
North Atlantic fleet when concentrated
can be formed from the fact that it will
carry 257 guns of all types and calibre; 300
officers of different ranks, from admiral
to carpenter; and 1900 appointed and
petty officers sailors and marines What
ever may benthe ultimate object or pro-
gramme of the authorities, it can be said
with some definiteness that Admiral
Bunce will be directed to put his squad
ron through number of practical exer-
ciSeS at sea.
The month of August is the one when
the New England fair will call hither
people from all over New England,
especially rural New England, and they
will never have such chance again to
see what the navy of their country is like
takes that time to send the ships here.
There will also be present the governors
of the various New England States and
men prominent in the nation. 1t will
be a grand occasion, and the Rigby park
races will add no little to the event.
Captain Theodore f. Kane, now on
waiting orders, has been selected to COM
mand the Maine; Captain Mortimer L.
johnson, commanding the receiving lship
Franklin, the Texas.
A great deal of interest in naval circles
has centered about the prospective detail
of officers as executives of these ships In
the case of the Maine, Admiral Ramsey
has selected Lieut. Com. Adolph Mark
to fill the berth The officer to be
assigned as navigator Of this ship has not
yet been definitely selected.