The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-22
scHLEYs FLYING SQUADRON.
DAY ONE OF INTENSE EXCITEMENT
ON THE SHIPS.

An Undercurrent OF FeverishneSs
Hurries Along Things With sug-
gestiveneSs-NO AIl-Night shore
Leaves Granted-Torpedo Boat
Rodgers Goes out OF Hampton
Roads mt a Terrific Rate of speed
to Join the Squadron at Key west.
Fortress Monroe, Va. April 21.-Begin-
ming with the reception of the first news
bulletin from Washington to-day intense
excitement prevailed here, both on shore
and among the officers and men of the
squadron.
While the general duties Of the day were
attended to as usual under the strict dis
cipline established by Commodore Schley,
there was an undercurrent Of feverishness
that hurried along things with suggestive
ness.
The officers, who came ashore in the
afternoon, were notified that they must
report on board at 10 o'clock by the latest
and that no all-night shore leaves would
be granted. The officers Of the Massa-
chusetts were told that they must report
at $50 O'Clock on board. when leave might
be granted for some few hours to see
friends.
These two orders led 10 all sorts of ru-
mors, an annoying one being that the
Massachusetts had been detached, which
was promptly denied.
AT the hotels where many of the officers
wives are staying, there was great con-
sternation, 1t being believed that the
squadron would sail before morning.
AT o'clock, after the receipt Of the
Associated Press bulletin that the Key
West fleet had moved. and the further
bulletin that the Spanish believed the
ultimatum to be a declaration Of war,
Commodore Sehley signalled from the
Brooklyn for all engines to be coupled.
The engines in port are uncoupled and
not usually coupled until at sea, and the
order was with the evident intention OF
making good time If an order was re-
celved. Arrangements were made for the
telegraphic stations 'on shore to remain
open all night to receive dispatches.
Despite the strain on all nerves tonight
men and officers are enthusiastic to a de-
gree, and that was demonstrated wher
the torpedo boat Rodscrs stopped by the
Brooklyn, on her way out to join the Key
West. squadron, TO ask permission of Com
nodore Schley to proceed. The men flock
ed to the forecastle of the vessels ant
cheered heartily.
The Rodgers went out once before, hu
rubbed on a sand bar and slightly injurc'
her screw. While the injury was not Sc
we're, it was thought best to fix 1t, and tn
work was completed to-day. She went ou
of Hampton Roads at a terrific rate.
The Golfers assigned to the squadron
the Merrimac and the Saturn, are not ye
quite ready, but may be in day. The,
are fast boats and can catch the squad
ron. which, an squadron array, will no
attempt to make more than twelve knot
an hour.
The hospital boat Is still in the hand
of the shipbuIlders, being converted, an
cannot be ready with a crew for severe
days. These things, however, have no Ct
feet upon the starting of the squadron
Capt. Higginson said tonight that an
statement to the effect that the Massa
chusetts had been ordered to go to Ne'
York city for the defense of that harbo
| was untrue.
All OF the ships have extraordinary com
elements of coal, water, oil ana proVls
ions. and are ready for long cruise.