The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-08-11
THE WHITE SQUADRON
Admiral Bunce's Magnificent Fleet Of Evo-
luton Arrived in Hampton RhuadSI
AFTER A MOST SUCCESSFUL CRUISE
Eight Days wero Consumed with
Sea Drills between TompkfnsviIIc
and Hampton Ronds-Fieet Here
Until Saturday When 1t Again Goes
TO Sea-Wili Return i'm October.

The North Atlantic squadron which
left New York bay eight days ago for
fleet sea drill and which was under
orders to rendezvous in Hampton Roads
between the Sth and 10th instants, ar
rived at Old Point Sunday afternoon at
O'Clock and dropped anchor in front
Of the hotels. The squadron was sighted
DIV the observer at Cape Henry at l
o'clock Sunday. 1t was engaged in fleet
drill and the evolutions We're continued
as the fleet proceeded southwark. pre-
senting a lovely picture as 1t passed
Virginia Beach, first in front formation
and then turning, it proceeded to Cape
Henry IN column of ships. The beautiful
terrors passed III the Capes at O'Clock.
arriving at Old Point an hour later.
The cruise has been one OF the most
successful, thus far. ever undertaken
by fleet Of Ams rican warships. The
SQUADRON itself is the largest and most
formidable ever gathered together un-
der the Stars and Stripes. Admiral
Bunce is the first admiral in our SER
vice 10 command a feet of steel ships
such as is now under his orders.
The ships comprising the squadron are
the first-class armorod cruiser New York,
flagship: the batptleships Massachusetts,
Indiana and Maine. the cruisers Column
bia. Newark, Cincinnati and the monl-
tor Amph.;iite. The battIcSh,p Texas
now at the Norfolk navy-yard and the
cruiser Raleigh. now AT New York, will
io!n the squadron before lis departure
for the New England coast next Satur-
day. Eight days will be consumed be-
twsen Hampton Roads and Tompkins-
VILE. during which thine fleet d,il!s will
be continued and the quarterly target
practice with tine great guns will bc la L.
The average speed of the squadron on
its southward trip was tw4;ve knots,
some times thirteen or fourteen knots
would be attained, but on .sucl spu,ts
the monitor would be left fai in the rear
one thing demonstrated by the cruise
Is that to attain the best results. slow
harDor defense monlors shoul no:te at
iached 10 squadron nj fast cruise rs
and batttfeships. In the pivotal move
ments. when one ship anchors and tbs
rest steam at high speed about ner as
though attacking, the Amph!trite had to
De ronped on account OF h.g >iawa as4
Sub-cal.bre practice was had with the
combined batteries of the fleet. tnus
giving the men excellent practice in
aiming.
Tbs cruiser Newark, which has long
been on the South American station
covered herself with glory aud Gillette d
many compliments from the admiral
The signal well done" frequently float
ed from the flagship in rsspon Sc 10 souz
d!fhcuft evolution executed by this
the oldest vessel in the fleet No navy
yard work has been done on the New
ark in two years and yet she ls In fine
condition and is more economical in th4
matter OF fuel than the smaller, C!nc!n-
natl
The evolutions at sea consisted OF ;nc
whole list OF fleet tactics. movng in col
unln of hips, front formation, preparing
Tor battle and moving to mimic attack
with all the spirit and daring o: actual
warfare.
There will be no boat drills dulins me
siaS III Hampton Roads, rs mos. Of the
ships Will be coallng. The Massa achu-
setts and Indiana are now ut Newport
News. while the Cincinnati and Amphi-
tr.te are at Lamberts Point
Inc fleet Will return 20 Hampton
Roads October 9th for Its period of win
ter rest
One of the Newark's officers. in speak
ing of the cruise said: 1--WE had aeautl-
ful weather after the first SATURDAY
when II was bit rough. There was
really no swell TO speak of. the sea be-
ing like lake. Unluckily wit, tre
clear weather came calm, lasting for
several days. The heat below decks was
almost unbeatable. The engineer de-
paftment were the wost sufferers ana
several OF the firemen were overcome
ne fleet surgeon was in demand al one
time. TO alleviate the sufferings OF the
DOOR fellows. Luckily there were no ia
taEtles. The cruise has been most sue
cesSiui and the admiral is n!ghly grati
fled at the results.
The influx of naval officers has made
Oid Point the gayest place on the coas;.
Both hotels are full and more visitors
are arriving daily.
Inc officers of the fleet are as follows:
Rear Admiral Francis NJ. Bunce con,-
mandtng; Commander John Schouler.
chicf or the STAFF: Lieutenant Hugo Ds
terhaus, flag lieutenant: Lieutenant
Charles c. Marsh. secretary.
NEW YORK (FIRST RATED FLAG
Captain Winfield S. Schley. command
ing Lieutenant Commander Duncan
Kennedy; Lleutenants Wainwrigh. KEEL
loGg. Jesse NJ. Roper. John f. Parker.
and Tnomas NJ. Brandy; Lieutenant
dunior giade) Homer C. Poundstone.
Enslgns Frank X. Hill. Leon S. Thomp
son. Wilfred V. Powelson. John l.. Sticht
and Alfred a. Mckethan: Naval Cadets
Qine dlv!sionl Irwin V. Gillis, David II
Sellers. Provost Babin, Ernest l.. Ben
nett. Charles :. Bookwalter, Arthur T.
Chester and John V. Kleeman.
COLUMBIA tFIRST RATE).s
Capian James II. Sands, command
ing: Lieutenant Commander Charles y.
Al)ibone; Lieut. nants William H. briggs.
Oswin w. Lowry. James NJ Helm, ana
William l.. Burdick; Lieutenant Gunior
Rrade) John a. Daugherty; Ens!gns John