The San Francisco call., 1897-02-18
MAREUYERS OF BUNcE'S FLEET.
They WH Be Concluded at Charleston
With Dinner and Brilliant

CHARLESTON, S. c., Feb. LIT is
| understood that the maneuvers of Ad-
mlral Bunce's fleet off Charleston are
about over and the rem aiming two days
which the ships will remain in these
waters will be spent in feasting and pleas
ure. There will doubtless be a review in
the presence of Secretary Herbert when
he sails out tomorrow in the Dolphin,
which came into port this morning, but
the work for which the fleet came to
Charleston has been accomplished and the
feet will break up Saturday. 1t is under
stood that the New York, Columbia Mas
sachusetts. Indiana and Fern will pro-
ceeo direct to Hampton Roads for coal
and thence to New York. where they
will arrive not later than March .. The
Dolphin and Vesuvius will go TO the Flor
i'd coast looking for hlibusters and the
Maine will proceed to New Orleans.
Should the Terror join the fleet in the
meantime she will go to Norfolk with the
flagship. The Amphitrite will remain
here until Monday.
Tomorrow Secretary Herbert, Attorney
General Harmon, Admiral Gherardi and
distinguished party of ladies and gentle
men will arrive in lhe city. They will be
the guests of Charleston during their stay
here. Governor Ellerbe, all the chief
State officials and the members of both
houses of the General Assem- bly, will also
be in the city for the occasion. A public
reception will be held by Secretary
Herbert in the City Hall, and at night
dinner will be given by the Cham Der of
Commerce. Speeches will be made by Sec
retary Herbert, Attorney-General Har-
mon, Mayor Smyth and others.
Friday military and naval ball will be
rendered the visitors by the city. And this
will probably conclude the blockade OF the
port of Charleston. 1t is impossible Just
now to estimate the result OF the ma
neuvers. Officers who will discuss the
matter express satisfaction with all that
has occurred. This consisted m ainly in
exercising with the searchlights and guns
of the ships.
Nightly there was practicing with the
lights on ships boats sent out for the spe-
cial purpose. The ship would pick the
boat up, and then following it with the
light record would be made OF the OBJ
servations taken at all distances until the
limit OF the light was reached. The prac-
ticing with the main batteries was espe-
the smaller guns considerable accuracy
was developed, some OF the ships strik ing
their floating targets frequently. The
work with the heavy pieces was less ac-
curate, but far more instructive, as the
men needed this practice the most. The
New York, for instance, struck her target
no less than twenty times during the
practice with both of her batteries. While
the officers do not say so, it is proba BILE
that the work with the searchlights was
somewhat disappointing at times. On
clear nights the lights achieved powerful
results, but they proved utterly made
quate to cope with the heavy fog or mist.
On the night when the Vesuvius ran the
blockade the lights did not carry 600
yards.
The Maine will leave the fleet to-mor-
row and proceed TO Port Royal, where she
will coal. 1t is stated positively by per-
sons in position to know of what they
speak that the ships stand the firing of
the great guns well, neither the guns,
turrets nor gear sustaining any injury.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 17.-Secre.
tary Herbert left Washington for Charles
ton this afternoon. Attorney General
Harmon and Captain Wintz of the
British navy followed tonight. The party
goes to witness the naval maneuvers now
going on in Charleston barbor. Secretary
Herbert took with him a handsome gold
medal to be presented to Seaman Creel-
man of the battle-ship Maine, who sprang
from that vessel when men were washed
overheard in the violent storm on that
vessels cruise TO Charleston.