The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-11
THE BLOCKAD|NG FLEET OFF CHARLESTON
a FEDERAL SQUADRON TAKES
CHARGE OF THE HARBOR.

n FEDERAL SQUADRON TAKES
CHARGE OF THE HARBOR.
The Finest Ships Of the Navy VIII
Assemble for u Comedy of War
The Occasion Will DO Made Memo
rable.
Charleston Sunday News
Tho greatest fleet of war vessels
that has ever assembled at any South
ern port for manocuvres will be of
Charleston next week. Admiral
Francis nj. Bunce, with the entire
North Atlantic squadron, supplement-
cd by number Of the larger boats OF
other stations, will arrive off Charles
ton early in the second week of Febru-
ary, and for two weeks tho great ships
of war will drill and manoeuvre. One
of the principal features of the rem
devious will be the blockading of
Charleston harbor. So far as under
stood several Of the swiftest of the
vessels will undertake to "run the
blockade" while the others will do
everything possible to prevent this
being accomplished. There will be-,
it is supposed, mock battles on the
sea, with boarding and overhauling.
The search lights will each night be
crossing the waters with bars of fire,
and each point touched will come out
as in the broad daylight. Tho big
guns may be used with blank ammuni-
tion, and the ships will be moving
about constantly.
A score OF vessels are in the squad
ron of evolution, and they are Of the
finest and largest in, the United States
hn 10 <f
ships that will be seen at Charleston
next week is over $32,000,000 The
number Of officers and mon on board
these vessels will be 5,519. The
Indiana, with her great thirteen-inch
guns, is considered the finest battle
ship in the navy, and visit from this
ship alone would be considered an
event Of Importance.
The railroads have promised to
make low excursion rates to Charles
ton during the naval rendezvous, and
thousands Of visitors are expected in
the city. The hotels are preparing
for their coming, and the city will be
en- fete.
All sorts Of social functions arc pro-
posed, among them being grand
military and naval ball at the United
States Custom House, but these mat
ters have not been definitely fixed upon
as yet.
:. Secretary Hilary a. Herbert has
displayed keen Interest in the naval
display in Charleston harbor, and it
will be interesting at this time to learn
from Secretary Herbert just how the
demonstration about to take place in
charleston harbor was brought about.
IN discussing the subject, Secretary
Herbert said:
Admiral Bunce came to see me
sometime ago as to what disposition
should be made of the North Atlantic
squadron. He said that he was anxious
to take the fleet into Southern waters
for the purpose of instructing his Of
hcers and men in certain evolutions.
1t has been usual to send the fleet
Into the West Indies or the Gulf of
Mexico for winter practice, but owing
to the complication with Spain, grow
Ing out of the Cuban controversy, it
was deemed inedvisable to proceed too
far south at this time. Admiral Bunce
was anxious to get away from Hamp-
ton Roads for deep sea practice, 80 he
suggested that Charleston would be O
desirable place for the fleet to rem
dez Gus while the practice was in pro-
greGs. That suggestion met my cor
dial approval, and l at once directed
him to arrange the details accord
ingly.
" 1t has been the policy of the navy
Department., during my administra-
tlon, to give our people every reason
able opportunity to sec our navy and
receive an object lesson in the great
work OF building up our navy. con-
tend that these exhibitions of the
wonderful progress that has been made
In naval architecture can be better ap-
preciated by such demonstrations as
that proposed in Charleston harbor.
Charleston has excellent facilities for
such an exhibition and I am glad to
give the people Of that city an oppor-
deavored, so far as possible, to display
our modern ships in all parts of the
country, because our people naturally
take pride in our greatly improved
naval establishment.
am delighted to note the interest
the people of Charleston are manifest
ing in the navy generally and the pro-
posed demonstration in particular. It
1s my purpose to visit Charleston du-
ring the second week in February to
witness the naval display and have so
written the committee to that effect.
Not only shall | enjoy witnessing the
manoeuvres of the fleet, but 1 shall be
glad to meet 50 many of the citizens of
my native State.'
Secretary Herbert will be accom-
panied to Charleston by Col. II. Stobo
Farrow, auditor of the war depart
mont.
The warShips will como into the har-
Dor or Charleston, and, in the words
of Admiral Bunce, "all on board will
be glad to meet the citizens of Charles
ton and to afford them every facility to
visit the ships" Secretary Herbert
Is coming also, and will be the honored
guest Of the Charleston Chamber of
Commerce.
Mayor Smyth has received the fol-
lowing letter from Admiral Bunce
Fortress Monroe, Va,
January 20, 1907.
Dear Sir : forward by Same mail
an acknowledgment of the resolutions
of the City Council Of the City oil
Charleston, received at the same time
with your letter of the 9th inst. and
thank you most heartily for your ex.
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