New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-15
ONE SHIP AT NEWPORT NEWS.
THE NEw-ORLEANs REMAINS. WHILE
THE OTHERS ARE AT SEA.
TIE ST. PAUL RETURNED FOR BRIEF PERIOD
AND THEN WENT OUT AGAIN-MogE
PROTECTION WANTED FOR

Newport News. Va, May 1.-THE movements
n, the main division OF the Flying Squadron
which sailed from Hampton Roads yesterday
afternoon under Commodore Schley. are ac-
counted for but considerable mystery sur
,ounts the orders under which the second d.
vision is acting Last night at S:45 the cruiser
MINNEAPOLIS which was ordered 10 remain
until this morning TO sail with the New Orleans
end ST, Paul. weighed anchor. without even
s,gnalling her destination 70 the New-Orleans
which was anchoreo close oy ana QUIT hampton
Roads al full speed.
A. midnight the 81. Paul had her anchor UP
.,s was ready to sail. but owing TO delay in the
servery OF ordered supplies she did not get
away until nearly o'clock this morning. Cap
,sin s.Ssbee dropped down to Old Point Com
Port and there held a prolonged consultation
nv signal with Captain Folger OF the New-Or-
,so,s which lasted for over half an hour ac-
oo-dine TO the guard at Fort Monroe.
Roth warships then started TO move in the d.
-ect,ou Of the Capes. but only proceeded about
mile before they put about and anchored again
~ Old FONT II is presumed that the dense
,og which prevailed throughout this section
from $50 o'clock TO a m necessitated longer
.,ay In the roads. Early this morning Captain
sirsbse received Geographic orders from
washington. and Immediately weighed anchor
and returned 10 this city. anchoring just below.
The balance OF the special ammunition. which
had been left behind in the hurry. then
dered aboard. and at 3 80 this afternoon Cap
tain sissbee again dropped down to OLD Point.
snchoring his ship near the New Orleans.
THE ST. PAUL FINALLY PUTS TO SEA.
More mysterious signalling with flags. and at
o'clock the ST. Paul again weighed anchor and
headed straight for the Virginia Capes. 1t Is
seldom that the public has an opportunity to see
the big ocean liners. which make the trip be-
tween New-York and Southampton In less than
six days. showing their heels at twenty knot
clips but those who saw the St Paul 60 out to-
day really amazed at her speed. After get
ting well started she passed out Of the Capes.
distance Of twenty-five miles. just one hour
later.
The New-Orleans 10 still anchored OF the
Chamberin Hotel, and II information received
by The Tribune correspondent tonight proves
10 be correct she will remain here for some
time yet One Of the officers OF the st Paul
while ashore this morning stated to The Tribune
correspondent that Captain Sigsbee's ship would
no doubt make straight for Havana In fact,
before sailing from Philadelphia Captain Sigs-
bee himself It is said. led 10 understand
that he would go directly TO the blockadins
squadron and assist IN It's operations. The New
Orleans may be returned 10 Commodore Howelis
command the coast patrol and is likely 10 stay
in these waters for the protection Of local In
terests.
SMALL PROTECTION FOR GREAT INTERESTS
The departure OF Commodore schley's ships
leaves the Virginia Capes with comparatively
little protection. and II the New-Orleans should
follow the others Fort Monroe. with an Insult
Gent number Of men and few experienced gun
ners would be the only means OF defence for the
National capital. Baltimore. Annapolis. Newport
News Norfolk. Portsmouth and Richmond. The
approach TO the Chesapeake Bay and the Poto-
mac River can be closed to an enemys ships
Only by certain manipulation OF the electric
wires which connect with submarine mines
planted in both the bay and Hampton Roads.
Experienced mariners say II is possible for
warship 70 enter the Capes at night and proceed
up the Bay without n1olestation from mines. as
the Naval Reserves on duty al Cape Henry
could be easily deceived and the guns from Fort
Monroe cannot reach the distance OF sixteen
miles
These same men shake their heads IN doubt
when the great strength OF Fort Monroe s men
toned and say that the improved stronghold Is
not so formidable after all without the co-opera-
non OF sea force Of some kind. For this rea-
son II ia believed that the New-Orleans Will be
retained here for the present although II IL pos
sible that prevailing conditions may make her
presence necessary elsewhere
TO GUARD BUILDING SHIPS.
Some naval protection must be provided FOR
the local shipyard. where the Kearsarse. the
Kentucky and the Illinois are building. and al
N. NAVY Yard where the bulk OF the repair
work Will be done. The officials OF the shipyard
the Navy Yard the officers at Fort Monroe
and the residents throughout this section look
upon the departure OF the ships with little faVor'
and are trusting that when Commodore Schiey
nu-s in AZ Charleston for orders he may ne m
siructed TO return.
Commander Emory has been given 10 unoer-
stand that ne will move not later than money nay
with the Yosemite. II is the intention or me De-
partrnent to have the Yosemite ana the DAY
70 out al the same time. General fSoya. !
Frank will neither confirm nor deny the e'oIy
that ne has been ordered TO Tampa, 10 conmano
one Of the invading divisions OF the Army. II
ie known. however that he IS making prepe.Io
lions that he VIII De IN reauIhos9 - "
battery II is still at Fort Monroe. orders hav,
ing been received this morning 10 remain e,.sd
further instructions. The men were oroe'eo
not 70 unpack their effects, and they expect 20
start FOR Tampa tomorrow. The military sua,
at the shipya~d has again been doupleo anu tNs
Pennsvlvania artillerymen have been cautioned
against admitting or passing any person . i,
one guard TO another without proper crecentials'
II is clear that the officials OF the yaro antlci-
pate an attempt either TO blow up or otherwise
render useless the battle ships KENTUCKY anu
Kearsarge. which are noored 10 tne paeis' "a
constant river patrol is maintained DAY anu
night 10 prevent the likelihood of sinking dyha-
mite with electrical connection under the SHIPS
OUT AT SEA on THE FLAGSHIP.
Fortress Monroe Va May IA ION Board the
Flagship Brooklyn. at Sea- by Way OF Pilot-poat
May l3.-It is a hard-hghting aggregation 'his
Flying Squadron under coo! and daring hght-
r The oattle-ships Massachusetts and Texas
are not equalled In hghting power by anything