The record-union., 1898-04-16
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
Returns to Fortress Monroe From
the Practice Cruise.

FORTRESS MONROE (Va.), April Is.
On board the Flagship Brooklyn,
Hampton Roads, Va-The flying
squadron, the departure of which
caused so much excitement on Wednes-
day, returned to-day to anchorage at
Fortress Monroe, after having COM
pleted two days and two nights of ardu-
Gus labor, with the satisfaction of its
commanding officer. Commodore
Schley wanted the Cap, aims of the fleet
to know each other in the movement
of their vessels, and to be able to an
| swer quickly to all signals for move
ments liable to be made in an engage
ment.
Running down to Cape Henry on
Wednesday afternoon, the squadron was
taken fifteen miles out to sea, at the
same time maneuvering in response to
the signals from the flagship. All of the
big vessels responded quickly, the heavy
battleships Massachusetts and Texas
being especially quick. Line of battle
was formed, with the Brooklyn on the
right, the Massachusetts to the left of
the Brooklyn, the Minneapolis to the
left of the Massachusetts, the Columbia
next and the Texas or the extreme left.
The signal to anchor in line was
obeyed so we'll that an almost perfect
alignment was obtained. Anchorage was
made on Wednesday night fifteen miles
east of Cape Charles light, near the
southern drill grounds.
Thursday morning found very unfav-
orable conditions for either maneuv-
ering or using the guns, the weather
being intensely disagreeable with
heavy rain and hailstorm and 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 circ
ling more quickly than a light cruiser.
The other vessels also were quick to re-
spond to signals.
This drill was kept up all day, and at
nightfall anchorage was made at d
point 1871 miles from Cape Charles After
dark signal work by electric light 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. On the Brooklyn so quickly
was the work done that every division
officer had reported ready in four
four minutes, and the ship was ready
for battle, with water tight compart-
ments closed, ammunition hoisted to
guns, turrets swinging, battle matches
down and the crews at the guns ready to
shoot. The other ships reported almost
as quickly.
Friday morning was given up to
practice at the guns all the ships put
ting out targets at 800 yards. The
gunners on the Brooklyn cut the flag
from the top of their target within
twenty minutes, remarkable work
when it is considered that the target
was but eighteen inches square and
the Flagstaff but two inches wide.
At 1 O'Clock the ships were signa1led-
by Commodore Schley TO head for
Hampton Roads for anchorage, with
the exception of the Texas. which was
ordered to remain out and try her Dig
guns and improved turrets with sclid
shot. The rest of the squadron an
chored off Fortress Monroe at about
5 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