The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-05-17

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EZEUIA
Copyright ny Associated Press.)
Curacao, May 1.-THE Spanish
cruisers Maria Teresa, Vizcaya, Airni-
rante Oquendo and Cristobal Coloa
ard the torpedo boat destroyers Pluton
and Terror, which arrived off the har-
Dor yesterday morning are still here.
Only the Maria Teresa and the Viz
caya were admitted TO the port. They
have bought coal, provisions and medl-
cines and still remain in port. The
other warships are outside waiting.
The statement that the torpedo boat
destroyer Terror is with the squadron
of admiral Cervera, conflicts with a
previous statement that the vessel had
definitely located at Martinique, where
she was being drydocked for repairs.
probably the Curaeo dispatch read
F'uror, instead Of Terror.
THE FLYING SQUADRON GONE TO
KEY WEST.
Charleston, s. c., May 15.-On board
Flagship Brooklyn, the flying squad
ron, off Charleston, S. c., May 15.-The
four vessels of war comprising the
major pjortion of the flying squadron,
Commodore Schley, anchored off Char
lesion bar nine miles from Charleston
at 430 o'clock this afternoon, after
having been at sea for three days and
seeing nothing of the Spanish cruisers
or torpedo boats said to be i'm this 10
cality The pilots We're dropped at
Cape Henry on Friday night and the
squadron proceeded to sea at ten knot
squadron speed. AT sunset active bat
tie preparations were made. The ports
were closed with steel covers, the bat
tie matches were covered, the main
batteries of the ships were loaded and
H. y, in
structions for night watch to, be kept.
With all lights extingudshed, the squad
ron proceeded in southeasterly direc-
ton. Toward morning several heavy
fog banks were run into and during
one of these intervals the collier ster-
ling became detached. To wait for her
was partly the reason that anchorage
was made, although Commodore Schley
communicated at once with Washing
ton and the navy department. The
only incident of the trip from Hampton
Roads was the holding up of British
steamer that did not display it's flag.
The Scorpion was sent after and soon
overhauled her. She proved to be the
British steamer Elsie with a laOd Of
phosphate rock and bound for Norfolk,
Va. She was allowed to proceed.
The fleet had splendid weather and
smooth sea. The squadron has been
ordered to Key West and sainls to-
night.
THE MANILA EXPEDITION.
San Francisco, May 15.-The United
States ruiser Charleston is still at
Mare Island and nothing definite can be
learned regarding the time of her de-
parture or whether or not she will con-
vOy one or more of the troop ships
which have been chartered ~ take the
supplies of men to Admiral Dewey. 1t
hos OF
the first ship load Of men WA leave to-
morrow or Tuesday but this is i'm
possible unless the men go almost un-
prepared for the duties they may be re-
quired to perform in the Philippines.
They have not been supplied with suf-
ficient clothing or arms and ammunl-
ton. The quartermaster department
is unable to supply the thirty days
rations necessary for the first months
services and these must be secured be-
fore any troops can leave. Orders have
been received to get the first regiment
ready for departure. The City of Pc
king doubtless will be the first vessel
ordered to the PHILIPPINES and she is not
in condition to receive the troops: but
a large force of men is at work on her
and she will be prepared for the recep-
tion of men on twenty-four hours
notice
Several small steamers and schoon-
ers are engaged in transporting from
Mare Island to this city for loading on
the Peking.
The steamers Australia, City of Sgd
ney and Ohio are being gradually pre-
pared for service as trasporrts but 1t
will take at least a week OF ten days
before they will be ready for sea. 1t is
given out that the steamer Conemaugh
has not been chartered by the govern
ment as previously stated.