The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-25
Cruisers Therefore Not Sent Out
to Convoy.
BATTERIES ON THE BEACH.
All the Notifications Now Being
Strengthened.

Fort Monroe va, April "a ION board
flagship Brooklyn). strategic pur-
poses and for the protection of informa-
ton that might be of value to the enemy,
Commodore Schley of the Flying Squad
ron has established practical censorship
dNulging OF the reason for any movement
made or to be made by the squadron, or
individual ships of the squadron.
To more fully carry out that plan of
protection TO government interests, only
commanding officers are made aware Of
such movements and the responsibility is
thus minimized
1t is for these reasons that the actual
destination of the Minneapolis and Column
bla is merely matter Of newspaper con-
lecture.
| The actual mission of the big cruisers Is
not and will not be made public, the navy
department.. Commodore Schley and the
commanders of the vessels being the sole
possessors Of information on the subject
The conjectures as to the object for
which Commodore schley ordered them to
sea last night are many.
Protection of the steamship Paris, assist
ance TO the battleship oregon. capture
of Spanish gunboats and convoy for the
transport Panther. now at Hampton Roads
ase some Of them
| The latter theory Is partially discredlted,
because. the, Panther. with her human
freight of nearly 700 officers and marines,
lies in safety with the remaining ships Of
the squadron, Off Fort Monroe, and evil
dently in no hurry to move.
AS matter Of fact, the Panther itself
has some protection being pretty well arm
ed with eight rapid-fire fihes. which could
! be used effectively.
Ali of the 700 men aboard her are in
excellent condition. no patients occupying
the sick bay.
The departure of the Columbia and Min
neapolss last night created great deal
of excitement. but demonstrated in what
fine condition all of the vessels of commo-
dore sehley's squadron are.
From the time the signal was made on
the flagship TO the time the Minneapolis
went by on her way to sea was less than
an hour and the Columbia followed In a
few minutes.
When the multtudinous duties TO be
performed, after an order to put to sea
Is given. are considered, the thoroughness
of discipline and capablllty Of the men are
| in splendid practical evidence.
Sunday here has passed very quietly.
| xrft4< m ~
man the Yosemite and Dixie. arrived by
| boat early this morning.
/ The two converted boats will be ready In
a day or two, being at Newport News yards
under Improvement When the Maryland
reserves passed the Brooklyn they cheered
| heartily. ~
The Sioux, converted tug nnder com
mand Of Lieut.. GherardI, and which
mounts several rapid fire guns, left this
afternoon and the men on the Brooklyn
| gave her hearty cheer as she passed out.
The hospital boat Solace left Newport
News for Norfolk, where she will take
on medical stores.
Tonight the precaution was begun of
i putting out patrol fleet Of cutter steam
| ers fully equipped to fight and to give
warning If an enemy approaches.
The work of strenthening the fortlhca.-
tions at Fort Monroe continued all day
/ WIKI u lhiB6 NOthlIik IOTCNf
as did also the work Of lay
ing The mines IN The harbor. Where
i the old s-inch and 10-lnch converted rifles
used to stand will be mounted a battery
OF modern rapid-fire guns, which are ex-
pected to command Hampton I1oads and
Chesapeake bay and make IL impossible
| for torpedo boat of the enemy to enter.
These guns, II is thought. will be in fight
ing condition by the end OF this week.
The work is not confined to the fort
litself by any means for active prepara-
4 tions for a possible conflict are being made
at the "Pines battery" and on the beach
Of Chesapeake bay. midway between this
battery and the fort.
Here four new disappearing guns will
be mounted behind breastworks OF the
| most modern and substantial kind.
In addition 10 this the immense
battery OF smooth bore guns are ready for
use and at a range OF one mile will prove
| terribly destructive.
| AZ Wllloughby Spit, opposite Fort Mon
roe, and which point controls the entrance
10 Norfolk, Newport News and the James
and Potomac rivers. a Board OF naval Of
ficers has made an inspection with a view
Of constructing a fort at the point TO CO
operate with Fort Monroe.
II is expected that active operations ON
| the fort will begin this week and be push
ed 10 completion without delay
This fort Is 10 be erected on a SUPER