The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-16
CHANGES IN THE NAVY
COMMODORE WATSON'S EASTERN
SQUADRON DISBANDED.
An ArmOr-Clad to Be Sent to Europe
Little Hope Entertained of Rails
ing the CristObaI Colon.

NEW YORK, Sept. 16.-A special to the
Herald from Washington says: Secretary
Long has issued orders disbanding the East
ern squadron and assigning its commander
Commodore j. G. Watson to duty as COM
mandant of the Mare island navy yard.
These orders indicate the firmness of the
belief entertained by the administra ton
that there is no danger of a resumption of
hostilities. The Eastern squadron was
formed just before the destruction of Ger
vera's fleet, wheA Admiral Camara's COM
mand started for the Philippines and the
object of its organization was attained
when Camara and his fleet was ordered
back to SPAIN Commodore Watson has been
ordered to proceed in the Newark to Port
Antonio and there take steamer for New
York. For the present the department pro-
poses to retain the men-of-war now in
southern Cuban waters in that section and
Captain c. F. Goodrich, as senior officer
will have command. Captain Goodrich COM
mands the cruiser Newark Besides this
cruiser there are at or near Guantanamo the
Hist, Scorpion and Leonidas The Nashville
is at Gbrara
with the detachment of Commodore
Watson from the command of the Eastern
squadron all work in connection with the
raising of the Spanish cruiser Cristobal
Colon will cease. Lieut.. George p. Blow
who has had especial charge of the wreck
age operations under Commodore Watson
has reported that it is impossible to save
that vessel. Naval experts say that as the
Colon has been under water for more than
two months the salt water has probably in
jured her machinery, and that if she is al
lowed to remain in her present position
any length of time it is doubtful if she will
be of any great value even if raised So
far as the cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa is
concerned 1t is understood high homes are
entertained that she can be saved. 1t is
reported that her bottom is firmly fixed on
a rock and the wreckers have been doing
everything in their power to repair the hole
SO SO that she can be foated. Commodore
watson asked a few days ago for more
cement and other material and they have
been shipped to Guantanamo Captain q r
Goourlcn, VINO will be senior officer in com
mand OF the vessels in the waters of south
eastern cuba, will take charge of the work
OF raising the lnfanta Maria Teresa on the
departure OF Commodore Watson
secretary Long proposes to re-estabIish
the european and South Atlantic stationed
as soon as the treaty of peace is signed
IL is also his intention to lay up several
vessels IN reserve. Orders putting the ram
hatahdln out of commission We're issued to-
day. She will be placed in reserve with
Inc OOlu1uDld ana minneapolis at Lea PlIA
island. All of the armor-clads will he kent in
commission and will be distributed among
the several stations when the peace treaty.
IS signed. me department has determined
to place at least one armor-clad on the Euro
pean station. The administration desires to
let Europe see the character of the vessels
oI the Onlted states navy and an excellent
squadron will be formed and ordered
abroad
Orders have been sent to Chaplain J.
p. Mcintyre, formerly attached to the bat
tie ship Oregon, who, it is alleged, severely
CRITICISED Rear Admiral Sampson and Capt
K. ID. Evans, in an address al Denver Col
directing him to proceed to Denver to await
trial. Judge Advocate General Lemley has
completed the charges upon which the chap
lain will be tried. 1t is understood that Capt
G. r. Laucheimer, of the marine corps, will
be judge advocate of the court
Secretary Long has decided that the hat
tie ship which is to be built by the Union
iron works. San Francisco, shall be named
the Ohio. The Cramps will build the Maine
and md, the b Newport News Company the Mis-