New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-27
INCREASING THE HOMEFLEET
MORE SHIPS FOR THE NORTH ATLANTIC
STATION.

ADMIRAL BuNcE WILL SOON BE IN COMMAND OF
THE FINEST SQUADRON OF AMERICAN WAR
VESSELS EVER BROUGHT TOGETHER
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.]
Washington. June 2s.-The second step was taken
by the Naval authorities yesterday In the programme
of making the North Atlantic Squadron the largest
and efficient fleet of American ships ever
assembled. The first step was the ordering nome
from Europe OF the New-York and Columbia. as has
been announced In The Tribune Yesterday afternoon,
after a conference between Secretary Herbert ana
Admirals Ramsay and Bunce, orders were issued
assigning the Amphtrite to the home squadron.
Captain Wise the commander Of the vessel was
directed to report to Admiral Bunce and TO regard
himself as under the authority Of the new COM
manier-in-chief Of the North Atlantic Squadron
until further orders. The Amphitrite Is doupe-
turret monitor Of 1880 tons displacement. She was
recently completed and commissioned She VIII DC
material addition to the lighting qualities OF the
fleet While constructed primarily as coast
defender she can take the for short cruises.
Her battery while not strong in numbers. Is
powerful II consists Of four twelve-inch rifles ana
six four-inch rapd-ire guns. AS secondary bat
terry she carries four three-pounders four thirty
seven millimetre Hotchkss guns and four Cuttings
Her side armor is inches thick, the turrets ia,
and the barbettes llla inches thick. The fiat pro-
tectve deck Is Ia. inches thick. Her speed is
twelve knots, maximum horsepower l,bVl ana coal
bunker capacity 250 tons Her commissioned and
enlisted complement comprises twenty-six ofncers
and 1875 men Her first service is yet to be deter
mined on She is be taken into account la max
ing up the programme for the North Atlantc
Sauadrons harbor evolutons and she may be called
on for shcrt trips to
Admiral Bunce was at the Navy Department yes
terday in relation his duties and the plans OF
the Secretary OF the Navy. He Will assume COM
mand Of the fleet tomorrow at the New Il rK
Navy Yard He leaves here for New-fork TO-
day for this purpose. Temporarily his flag VIII
Ny from the Cincinnati. on the return OF the .>ew-
York she will again become the flagship OF tne
home station The Admiral Is practical as Wen
a highly intelligent officer. He believes that me
coming evoutlons should be interfered with by
what naval officers call 'pcnics: that Is. cruising
about to land battalions. expend powder IN ceIe-
bration OF affairs Of local Importance ana other,
wise divert the ships from the legitimate WORK Oh
training officers and men for serious service i.
Admiral Ramsay, the chief OF the Bureau OF
Navigation whose suggestions In such matters
ma turally have much weight with secretary Her,
bert is In sympathy with this idea of Admiral
Bunce. II Is his hope that the home squadron
will infrequenty be detailed 70 take part IN snore
celebrations while engaged in fleet exercises; Secre
tary Herbert has issued directions on the SUD-
ieci but II is expected that he will do so soon. and
that the squadron will be directed TO confne us
attention strictly naval business except on rare
occasions to be specified by the Navy Depart
ment Another point in the proposed programme
Is 10 begin the evolutions without unnecessary
preliminary exercises. The authorities say tnat
naval officers now have knowledge or al! duties
pertaining single ships and that what they are
lacking IS experience in combined manoeuvres.