Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-24
ris James. half mile off shore.

cast loose her lines. and. under her
own steam, backed out into the stream,
her crew meantime standing at quar-
tiers. When she reached the govern
ment anchorage ground. near the ship
yard, her big mud-hook plunged over
board.
The ship is now ready for any serv-
ice to which the department may as
sign her She has her shells of the
common explosive and armor-piercing
variety aboard her, and she has at last
received the powder for her six-inch
guns. There are several tons of 1t now
stored away in her magazines. and the
result Is that the ship will be sent to
sea within a very few days to do battle
in earnest. 1t is not yet known just
when the Dixie will sail. She will in
all probability drop down to Point
this morning. but before she starts on
cruise, 1t will be necessary to run
outside the Capes for practice in gun
nary. "
The gunnerS and their mates aboard
ship will have their hands full in
structing the Marylanders in the
loading, training and firing of the
heavy battery of eighteen modern
rifles. Already the officers have taken
this important work earnestly in hand
and they are working very hard. in
deed. to perfect their men In the hand
ling of the guns.
Although the subject is a grucsome
one, the surgeons department is not
losing any time in arranging for the
rapid care of the wounded. so that
Whenever the Dixie goes into action.
no man will be allowed to suffer long
before he is attended to. DR.. Mckin-
non was anxious to run the men down
the ammunition hoists to the berth
deck. where, protected by the coal
bunkers, he and DIR. Heskcl! could OPP
crate in comparative safety to them
selves and the subject However, thu.
hatchWays were made too narrow for
this purpose. and. anyway, it is said
that the guns can fire the ammunition
almost faster than it can be delivered.
SO that would be another obstacle
Therefore, the slightly wounded will be-
taken below. While the poor fellows
who cannot be moved down a compal.-
lonway will have to be treated on deck
me steel decks covering the range
OF the guns are all down, the boys hav-.
ing put in considerable night work il,
rushing them to completion. Every.
body is now awaiting the final orders
to sail. but just when they viii come is
problema teal.
NO MORE COAL SOUTH. as
Assistant Secretary Spaulding has is
sued instructions to Collector OF Gus
toms ]. w. Elliott. as well as other col
lectors on the Atlantic seaboard, to the
effect that while the Spanish fleet is at
large In the waters of this continent all
applications for clearance of vessels la
den with coal for West Indian. Mexi-
can. Central American and South
american ports must be referred to the
Treasury Department with recommen-
dations before the same is issued.
This course Is IL, ssendetl .sto- prevent
coal from being supplied to the Spanish
fleet. and 1t is said the order will be re-
whanaCarS ha STta rt5S- 1.,a>
American waters or are destroyed by
our own squadrons. Should the report
concerning the vessel prove entirely
satisfactory orders granting the clear
lnce will be issued Immediately. but
should 1t contain any elements of un-
certainty as TO the final destination or
ultimate purpose of the shipment i
thorough investigation will be made.
The Treasury Department, working
through its secret service, has imposed
strict espionage upon the movements
of all vessels, and this information
which is kept at the Treasury Depart
ment. will go a long way toward deter
mining whether clearance papers shall
be issued to vessels applying in the flu
ture.
This government. 1t is stated, believes
the Spaniards have been receiving some
supplies from the United States from
vessels leaving our ports. and every eff
fort will be made to break up the p,'ac-
tice.
AT present there are no regular lines
sending coal from this to any of the
ports indicated. Prior to the breaking
out OF hostilities. schooners loaded With
soal were very frequently dispatched to
Southern. West Indian and even Cuban
ports, Cienfuegos receiving large guam
titles of steam coal.
NEWARK IN COMMISSION.
The United States cruiser Newark.
one of the finest protected cruisers in
the navy, went into commission at the
navy yard Saturday afternoon. when.
with the crew and marine guard drawn
up. Captain a. S. Barker's flag was
hoisted and the pennant broken out.
the Naval Post Band playing THE
Star Spangled Banner"
Captain Barker is one of the best
known officers in the navy. and has
since the beginning of the war with
Spain been a member of the strategy
board in Washington. The following
other officials reported for duty on the
Newark yesterday:
tenant-Commander w H. Tur
ner as Executive Officer, Lieutenants
w. F. Halsey, A. c. Poundstone. j. IT.
Gibbons, r. p Carroll, II. f. Bryan, c.
to Captain Barker: Paymaster c. S.
Williams. Surgeon c. G. Harmon. Act
ing Assistant Surgeon II. A. Bum.
Chief Engineer c. P. Howell. Other Of
ficers will join the ship next week.
The Newark has been at the navy
yard about fifteen months and a great
deal of work has been done on her. She
carries an armament of twelve six-inch
guns. besides a number of smaller ones
in hNr secondary battery.
FOUND POWDER NEAR A TENT.
A ten-pound bag of powder was
found in front OF Captain Waters tent
at Camp Warburton yesterday morn
ing Where the powder came from is
not known. It does not belong to either
of the two batteries. and the finding
OF the bag near Captain Waters tent
is suspicious to say the least.
The officers have been annoyed re-
Gently by gang Of petty thieves who
have been ransacking their tents.
No guards have been stationed along
the water front. and for that reason
the rogues have not been apprehended;
but precaution has been taken. Here
after guards will patrol the water
front and the first thief captured WHY
be severely dealt with.
Yesterday was a busy day with the
men In camp. Captain Warburton or
dered number of bitches dug for san