New-York tribune., 1895-12-17

THE NEW YORK FLAGSHIP OF THE NORTH AT
G.ANTIc SQUADRON. STARTS FOR THE
RENDEZVOUS OF THE FLEET-AN IN
DOSING ARRAY OF WARSHIPS


POSING ARRAY OF wARsHIPs.
With the square blue flag bearing two white
stars the emblem OF rear-admira. flying at her
mairmast head the armored cruiser New-fork,
flagship OF the North Atlantic squadron, Rear-Ad-
mral Francs VI. Bunce commanding. left the Navy
Yard in Brooklyn at o'clock yesterday morning
bound for the rendezvous OF the fleet at Hampton
Roads. The ship has had thorough overhauling
snce her arrival at the Navy Yard few weeks
ago and is in first-class condition. both as 10
hull and motive-powe-. Her engines have been
subjected 10 searching examinat on for possible
fla ws: her water-ma!ns which had been badly cor
roded have been replaced by new ones. and her
dynamo engines have put in considerable time in
the machine-shops. undergoing rebuilding and re-
pairs. All the vacancies in her crew have been
filled by men from the Vermont, and she has on
board eighty extra men for distributor among the
vessels of the squadron which WI Join her at
Hampton Roads. This squadron comprises the
Columbia with th.rty-one guns including Gatlings
the Maine with thirty-two guns; the Montgomery.
with twenty guns; the Raleigh. with twenty-five
guns: the monitor Amphitr.te, with twelve guns
and probably the Texas, With thirty-two guns
these with the New-York carrying thriy-four
guns. forming the most powerful fleet ever assem-
bled under the American flag.
There were no ceremonies attending the departure
of the New York. The lines which held her fast to
the seawall were loosened and the Navy Yard tugs
Nina and Narkeeta pulled her out into the stream
There the tow lines cast of, ana under hef own
steam the pretty white cruiser went down the East
River and passed Sandy Hook on her way TO sea
shortly after 10 o'clock.
The departure of the ship was watched with much
interest 10y the yard people owing 10 the possibility
of an exciting cruise. The fact that, according to
the itinerary of the cruise the fleet will not touch at
any Venezuelan port. is regarded by the younger
officers as being significant and the pertinent query
was asked why the vessels should be sent to the
climate of the Caribbean Sea. without touching at
the principal ports when the same facilities Tor
manOeuVrlng and target practice coud De nad far-
thcr north ana in temperature more easily Dorhe
by the engine room force and those whose duties
keep them below decks greater part OF the time
Neither Rear Admiral Bunce nor Captain W. ).
Schey had much TO say Yesterday before the snip
sailed and the political possibilities OF the rP were
"tabOoed' from disc ussOn. The SHIPS VIII be ab-
sent until about the first Of June and the squadron
Will be drilled In all the fleet tactics In the course OF
the trip. While IL is expected that the fleet Will
remain practically named, there Is the possibility
duty at Key West to the squadron. and the sending
OF the Amphtrite TO that station as her substitute
The monitor IL slow - keep up with the rest
Of the fleet and could perform tha necessary duties
OF the Key West station almost as well as the Gin
cinnati
The Maine which was built at the Brooklyn Yard
will be tho first OF the battle ships 10 80 into active
service sne having passed the Board OF Inspection
and received orders TO report al Hampton Roads on
the 10Th The Texas is not likely to join the fleet
before the lst OF the coming year. as her cfhcial
inspection has yet been made and she still has
TO undergo decisive engne-rOom trial trip which
is take place to-day.