New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-23

NEWPORT NEWS REJOICEs AT THE NASH
vIr.LES ACHIEVEMENT - WORK ON
AUXILIARY CRUISERS
Rv the President
.u -,,r -,,,rxv,

fnY TcrEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNE1
Newport News. Va. April 22.-When IT be-
came generally known here to-day that the
FLYING Squadron would in all probability be
retained in Hampton Roads or tho vicinity as
a coast protection. there was feeling OF gen
eral disappointment manifested among the Of
nCers and men. and ger uine pleasure among
the guests and residents OF Old Point Comfort.
as we'll as the families Of the fort Perhaps
none were more surprised than the officers and
crews of the squadron when morning dawned
and no sailing orders had been received. All
day there has been feeling Of expectancy
aboard the ships. and all the crews were exer-
csed az gun practice. using red flags for targets
There are more officers ashore to-day than for
several days past and the decision 10 hold the
squadron in Hampton Roads will probably re-
suit in tn, return OF many OF the wives and
swccthearts who made Old Point Comfort gay
prior to the departure Of the ships on the prac-
tice cruise Since that time there has been
little eayety and life there and t. has been pain
f,llv dull |. is probable that with the return
of tho reople mentioned festivities Will be re-
ncwcd.
The news that the speedy little gunboat
Nashville had fired the first shot In the Span
ish-American war and had captured the Spanish
tramp steamship Buena Ventura. created a SEN
sation in Old Point Comfort and Newport
News and especially In this city, where the
Nashville was built and where the Spanish
merchantmen has made frequent trips FOR cargo
and coal At the shipyard the enthusiasm was
unbounded, and the draughtsmen ana me.
chanics who had a hand In the construction or
the Nashville which Is said To he the speediest
gunboat ia the world. constituted themselves
the real heroes Of the day. A.,
Two Hot,hkss guns arrived at Fortress Mon
roe to-day from New )rk
4 large force of laborers were put 10 woEk
ont.Ide tho fort to-day pillng up sand against
the disappearing rapd-hre gun etnplaceniem.s -.,s
The observation tower. at the loWer c1tnel
~ the fort was completed this evening FROM
this tower n clear view OF Hampton hoans a''"
ChosapeaEe Bay Is afforded.
The work on the Soace Will be completed To-
,oorroyy night and on Monday she VIII go over
"a Norfolk Navy Yard 10 take on star Oh
svraeons and medical attendants and stores.
She Will sail on "e"'c'u"' " '
Simpsons nee. ,,,t ra yossuits
o,rmo. nosslbly leave the shipyard before sat-
49, , =, neyt week 1t was stated at the snip
uarJ today that the Department has not YET
snohad a decision with reference to providing
Tho Dixie and Yosemite with iiBht pei' oi
armor - =, etrcb caIibre ar.
Twelve rapid-fre guns OF o-lnSn , canusc n,,a tho
r,ved mere this morning at o'clock over tne
Cbeaaneake and ohio Railroad. consigned 10 tne
Sawnprt News Shipbuilding and Drydock Com
AM Later in the day they were sent 10 'he
plh,nvard Three guns are for use on the Dixie
sn'P' P ',hs Yosemite The mounts arrived yester-
dav Another shipment OF rifles Is expected
oon to complete the complement for both or
sbe cruisers each of which will carry ten--fve
to q broadsidA