The record-union., 1898-03-18
Massachusetts and Texas to
Go 10 Hampton Roads,
Where Hereafter Five Formidable
WarShipS Will Rendezvous,
Spain viii Indignantly Rapel Any Demand
for Indemnity Based on Spanish
Responsibility for the Maine
Disaster.

WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE
event of the day in official circles was
the issuing of an order for the formation
of a new squadron of naval vessels to be
stationed at Hampton Roads. The
squadron in the beginning will consist
of five ships, all the best of their types.
Tive of them, the battleships Massachu-
setts and Texas, are withdrawn from
the present North Atlantic fleet at Key
West and Tortugas.
In ordering this movement the Navy
Department is not animated by any pur-
pese of yielding to representations or in
timations that may have come from the
Spanish Minister. On the contrary. the
new squadron was brought about by
purely strategic considerations. al
though it appears from the nature Of
the force so far under orders to rendez-
vous at Hampton Roads that their STRAIT
egy is of the defensive nature.
The new squadron cannot be called d
flying squadron" because the associa-
ton of heavy battleships with fleet
cruisers like the Brooklyn. Columbia
and Minneapolis reduces the available
speed of the whole to the speed of the
slowest vessel, and the squadron could
not do much flying in the naval sense.
The indications, rather, are that when
reinforced by some smaller cruisers, the
squadron will constitute an ideal naval
defense.
In place of the cruiser New York the
people of Key West will look upon the
grim outlines of the big monitor Puri-
tan, supposedly the most powerful ship
in smooth water in the world. She will
have to assist her on guard the double
turreted monitor Miantonomah and the
monitor Amphitrite. The Puritan is now
at Norfolk, almost ready for sea; the
Miantonomah is at League Island, quite
ready and so is the Amphitrite at Port
Royal, S. c., so the order in the end
will result in the gathering of the pick
of the North Atlantic squadron at
Hampton Roads.
The point is said to be the best STRAIT
| egic point on the Atlantic Coast. 1t is
almost centrally located, and the ships
| from that point can reach any portion
of the coast in short order. Besides, the
there to fall back upon for repairs to the
| ships. There is plenty of the best coal
at Newport News, there is easy water
to navigate and finally the forts at
/ Hampton Roads may serve as base of
| operations in case of need for protec-
! ton. These are the considerations
which animated the Navy Department
! in making this new order.
1t is announced that the commander
of the new squadron has not yet been
| the arrival IN port OF Admiral Sicard, 1t
| is expected that Captain Higginson, the
commander of the battleship Massachu-
setts, and the senior officer, viii hold
the command of the squadron.
! Remaining at Key West after the de-
rarture Of the Massachusetts, and the
Texas. Admiral Sicard viii still have a
| feet of his own in numbers, when the
spectacle Will be presented Of a fleet and
a squadron ON one station, something
not seen since the civil war.
The monitors which it is designed to
send to Key West are said to be well
fitted for the service. Owing to their
light draught of from fifteen 10 sixteen
feet. they will be able to navigate safely
the shallow waters of the Florida Coast
/ ana will not be obliged, like the Iowa, 10
| lie six miles out at sea from Key west
! 20 secure enough water under keel.
! The zunboat Helena reported TO
the department that she had sailed to-
day from Funchal, Madeira, for Key
West to join the squadron.
1t is now said that it has been def
nitely determined to bring the battle
ship Oregon around South America to
Key West.
The Navy Department has issued
orders that such trial as may be made
OF the new torpedo boat Rodgers shall
take place while the boat is under way
Saturday next from Baltimore TO Nor
folk. She will also go southward to
join the fiotilla at Key West
The Columbia and Minneapolis are
still each 260 men short of their full
i quota. but it is expected that enough
men win be secured in the course of a
few days to enable the ships to be sent
to Hampton Roads TO execute the ord
ers issued to-day.
The Spanish Minister called at the
State Department at 3 O'Clock, and re-
mained with Judge Day something
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