Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-10-15
ADMIRAL BUNcE'S FLEET.
II Will Comprise is Vessels by Ian. I, and
Will Rendezvous al Hampton Roads.

Washington Oct. 1.-THE series OF feet
,pahoeufres begun by Admiral Bunce in
me carly summer will end for the season
when the vessels now at sea arrive at
sew York in about 10 days. and most OF
the vessels will be ordered to the Brook
IN and Norfolk navy yards for overhaul
ing preparatory to any winter work re-
CURED. Since early last spring the ships
nave been AT sea the greater part of the
iiine carrying out the eyolutions designed
Hy Admiral Bunce during his winter STAY
IN Hampton Roads. and for the first time
IN the history of the new navy the gov-
ernment has been able 10 gather a suffi-
ricnt number of vessels on one station for
The purpose of fleet drills and manoeu-
Fres.
The work Of the squadron this season
cas- been based on the general plan fol-
owed by the foreign naval tacticians
"hen one fleet is engaged in the pro-
Sra!nme. and while brief stops have been
made at the Two headquarters at Hamp-
on Roads and Tompkinsville. the aver
fge steaming of the ships shows that
they have done almost as much active
eruising In three months as many of the
transatlantic liners. Certainly not since
me new navy was started has fleet
nsen more actively engaged. nor has any
previously been sufficiently strong nu-
mericaliy TO attempt the tactics en-
lloyed by Admiral Bunce this summer
The termination of the seasons evolu-
IONS is not 10 followed, however. by any
dlsintegration of the feet, nor are any
Sf the ships now attached to the station
20 be retired. has been stated On the
tontrary. the authorities propose to main
nin in commission MT only every shin
now under Admiral Bunce but TO place
1t his disposal other ships as fast as they
ere ready for service. The programme
instituted one year ago of holding every
valuable ship on this station in readiness
for any emergency will be adhered to un>
u March 1 and so far from weakening
he strength of the squadron by detach.
ng ships and laying them up at some
navy yard 1t is the intention of the de-
nartment to press work on those now
asst approaching completion. with a view
20 having an immense fleet attached to
he home station by Jan. l.
The first of the new additions will be the
monitor Puritan WHICH will go in COM
mission soon after Nov. /. with Com
mander Chester or Capt. Hom in COM
nand. This ship in many respects will
pe the most formidable vessel under Ad-
iniral Bunce. and unquestionably the best
lghtng ship of the monitor type afoat
About the same time the Marbehead will
reach New York and will join the fleet
ana few weeks later the little Castine
Viii be here from the South Atlantic Her
stay may be brief. however, as she will
probably return early next year with a
Irafi of men for the Lancaster and Yam
tic.
Soon after the Puritan flies her first
Sennant the great armored cruiser
brooklyn Will be ready to take orders
from Admiral Bunce with Capt. Francis
Cook in charge. Not many weeks later
ne three gunboats building at Newport
News Will be ready for service and for
4 few months will see duty on the home
station, or until their presence in Chinese
waters is required. These additions with
the vessels now under Bunce will form
one of the finest fleets this country has
possessed. and certainly no equal num-
Der OF ships in the world will be their SUI
periors. either in defensive or offensive
strength.
The coming winter will witness COM
parative inactivity in tue great fleet. I'M
less disturbances arise in Cuba or other
parts OF the world calling for a strength
ening of our naval force abroad The
poilcy OF retaining the fleet in northern
waters. as long as the cuban question
md Venezuelan boundary line disnute
are unsettled. win be again observed and
TOR second time since the war there
VIII be no West Indian cruise for the
North Atlantic squadron. unless the en-
aan question should assume an uney-
pected phase. Hampton Roads as Inst
year will be the rendezvous Of the t,aat
which by Jan. l will comprise ahout X |
ships. '"ou' IL
Those waters are selected in preference
% Others on account of the magnificent |
naroor the evenness of the climate. and
lhe opportunities for coaling and receiv- |
ing supplies at Newport News. Shore
drills Will be practiced. target practice AZ |
sea once week conducted. and occa'
slonaliy when the weather permits Tho |
entire squadron will proceed outside Of |
the Virginia capes for n DAYS drill Va |
rs will be made by ships Of the fleet 10 |
New York occasionally to allow the n,eU
shore leaves ~ WY 'nei'