The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-16
THEY ARE ALL RIGHT.
The Flying squadron Returns From Its
Two Days Practice Cruise.

The Flying Squadron Returns From Its
Two Days Practice Cruise.
On Board h Flagship Brooklyn,
Hampton Roads, Va, Fortress Monroe,
April 15.-The flying squadron returned
to-day to anchorage at Fort Monroe
after having completed two days and
two nights of arduous labor with sat
isfaction to its commanding officer.
Commander Schley wanted the captains
of the fleet to know ach other in the
movements of their vessels. and to be
able to answer quickly to all signals
for movements liable to be made in an
engagement. Running dow to Cape
Henry on Wednesday afternoon, the
squadron was taken 10 miles ont to sea.
at the same time -maneuvering in re-
spouse to the signals from the flagship.
All of the big vessels responded quick
ly, the heavy battleships Massachusetts
and Texas being especially quick. Line
of battle was formed with the rock
Ign on the right. the Massachusetts to
the left of the Brooklyn, the Minneap-
oils to the left of the Massachusetts,.
the Columbia next ard the Texas on the
extreme left. The signal to anchor in
line was obeyed so well that an almost
perfect alignment was obtained. An
chorage was made on Wednesday night
Is miles east Of Cape Charles light, near
the southern drill grounds.
Thursday morning found very un-
favorable conditions. for either nam
euVering or using the guns, the wealth
err being intensely disagreeable. with a
heavy rain n hail storm n a high
sea, but Commodore Schley decided to
go out and begin the maneuvers. The
Massachusetts dipped her low nose in
the water time after time. taking up
tons of water. but was handled beauti-
fully, coming up to alignment or
circling more quickly than a light
cruiser.
The other vessels also were quick to
respond to signals. This drill was kept
up all day and at nightfall anchorage
was made at q point 1877 miles from
Cape Charles. After dark signal work
by electricity was practiced for two
hours.
At 9 o'clock, when most of the officers
and men had prepared to retire, the
call to quarters and battle calls were
sounded. or the Brooklyn so quickly
was the work done that every division
officer had reported ready" in -four
minutes and the ship was ready for
battle with water-tight compartments
closed, ammunition hoisted to guns,
turrets ranging, battle matches down
and the crews at the guns ready to
shoot. The other ships reported al
most as quickly. Friday morning was
given up to practice at the guns. all
the ships putting out targets at 500
yards. The gunner on the Brooklyn
cut the flag from the top of their tar
get within 30 minutes. remarkable work
when il is considered that the target
was but is inches square and the flag
stan but two inches wide.
At I o'clock the SHIPS were signaled
by Commodore Schley to head for
Hampton Roads for anchorage with the
exception of the Texas, which was or
dered to remain out and try her big
guns and improved turrets with olid
shot. The rest of the squadron anchor
ed OFF Fort Monroe at about 3 o'clock.
Commodore Schley expressed himself
as very much pleased with the work of
the captains of the vessels under his
charge. He called particular attention
to the target practice of the rapid-fire
guns. saying: Il don't think any tor
pedo boat could live under that fire.
The Texas ran into Hampton Roads
about s o'clock and Joined the squadron.
Captain Philip said the new turret had
worked satisfactorily and the big guns
could be loaded by Lieutenant Haes-
ler's new automatic arrangement at n
angle, and very quickly.