Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-11
WHITTIER is SHE BOUND.
Cruiser New York Leaves Bosfon
MysteriousIy.

BOSTON, June 10.-The United States
cruiser New York. the flagship of the
North Atlantic squadron, with Rear-Ad-
lnral Montgomery Sicard on board
steamed out of the harbor at O'Clock
this afternoon. not a soul on board know
ing TO what port she is bound. for it will
only be when the big white cruiser is well
outside of Boston light, with her pilot
over the side that the sealed orders from
Washington will be opened, ana her deS-
tination ascertained. 1t is generally be-
lieved. however, that when she reaches
Cane Cod she will turn her nose 10 the
southwark, and that her twin screws
will not stop until she is somewhere In
the neighborhood of Cuba, for when she
started she was fully provisioned and
coaled. and could if necessary, so so
far as Gibraltar or Rio Janeiro without
laying in more supplies.
The New York arrived here on May
18th. to participate in the ceremonies at
tending the unveling of the Shaw monu-
ment The battleship Massachusetts
came with the flagship, while the battle
ship Texas had arrived some days pre-
yiously The Texas left a few days ago,
but the other two ships have been swing
ing at their moorings off the maynard
until to-day.
That Rear-Admral Slcard must have
had some inkling of an important cruise
seems probable. from the fact that Tor
the past few days the entire crew have
been hard at work getting the ship ready
for sea- while the vessefs bunkers nave
been filed TO overlooking. 1t was sup
posed, however, that the cruiser would
a ne
Hampton Roads, and a local pilot was
notified that the ship would probably pro-
coed TO sea in day or two. and that
his services would be required. Early
this morning unusual activity was noticed
on board, and soon the excitement eX-
tended to the navy-yard. 1t was seen
that all the steam launches were being
hoisted aboard ana secured, as II Tor
long voyage, while extra precautions APP
peared TO be taken To make everything
snug.
Al noon an officer came ashore and
notified the pilot to report on D0ard AZ
once. and shortly after o'clock 1t De
came known that sealed orders had peeh
received from the Navy department py
Admiral Sicard. Shortly after O'CLOCK
the guns of the cruiser doomed part
ing salute 10 Commodore Howison, OF the
ndNy-yaru, lllc dhNhoi We" "N'o'
and the cruiser swung round in the
stream and started out to sea, aithoush
a furious gale was blowing.
SURMISE IN WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, June 1O-The Navy
Department officials were singularly re-
served about the movements OF the New
York to-day and showed a reluctance
TO answer any question. Secretary Long,
i'm answer TO "A direct Interrogation, re-
piled: 1.-The New NFk is not going to
Cuba; she will next be heard from at
some point on the Atlantic Coast, well
north of Cuba" The Secretary refused
10 answer further, standing on the short
reply above given.
The Chief OF the Navigation Bureau
who usually is always ready 10 tell
where ship is bound. refused to say
one word as TO the destination of the
New York. 1t was learned, however
that the cruiser is expected to report
next at Hampton Roads, Va and that
she will be at sea about two days.
IL is surmised that the Navy Depart
ment. which has been charged of late
with the whole OF the duty of looking
after nlibusters afloat. has been ad-
yised of the intention of some formida-
bic expedition. bound for Cuba, 10 put
out from northern port, possibly out
of Delaware bay. or perhaps there is TO
be a repetition of the Horsa expedition
and some steamer Is to take on arms
for the Cubans off one Of the now de
serted sand-beachcs OF Jersey or Della
ware In such case. the department
would send out smaller cruiser usually
but IL Is said that at this time it was
a case OF the choice OF the vessel able
TO get under way first.