Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-30
VESSELS ARE GONE.
THE BIG wARsHIPs HAVE NEARLY
ALL LEFT HAMPTON ROADS.
BOSTON THEIR DESTINATION
The People mt Old Point Greatly Dis
appointed-Their Departure some
thing of n Surprise After the Prom
Uses of Washington officials.

Especial. )-NotWlthStaDdIn8 the positive
assurances given the commercial bodies
OF Newport News, Norfolk, and Ports
mouth. last week, by notwithstanding
of-the-Navy Allen. nine of Uncle Sans
warships--the cream OF Admiral Howells
fleet at Old Point Comfort-weghed an
chor this afternoon and sailed in line for
Boston, where, II is understood. the YES
sells will be reviewed by the people Of the
Hub. The San Francisco, Admiral
HowelPs flagship, is now the only vessel
of any consequence at Old Point. all Of
the other ships being simply vessels OF
the converted gunboat type.
THOSE WHICH LEFT
the ships which sailed this afternoon,
are the cruisers Topeka. Lieutenant Com-
mander william S. Cowles. and Detroit,
Commander James H. Dayton; gunboats
Helena, Commander William T. Swine
burne; Wilmington. Commander Chap
man c. Todd; Machias, Commander Will
liam Mead; Marietta, Commander Frede-
rick NJ. Symonds; Bancroft. Commander
Richardson Glover. Castine, Commander
Robert NJ. Berry, and Lancaster, Com
mander Thomas Perry. The Lancaster
was Commodore Remey's flagship al the
Key West base, but the Commodore left
the ship several days ago 10 90 to Ports
mouth, n. H., where he took command
Of the navy-yard.
PEOPLE MUCH SURPRISED.
When these vessels weighed anchor,
this afternoon, and slowly wended their
way through the fleet OF warshps at
anchor in Hampton Roads, the people
ashore and at the hotels were thoroughly
surprised. The promise to keep the war
ships here was given sincerely, ii was be-
leved. and the people Of this section had
counted upon entertaining crowds TO
view The warships for weeks to come.
Now. that the cream Of the feet. leaving
out the San Francisco, which is the most
formidable ship Of Howell's command,
has sailed for Boston seemingly for no
other reason than to satisfy the request
Of BOstonians, there is little OF interest
left in Hampton Roads. All Of the little
converted gunboats distinguished them
selves in the late war. but they do not
present the formidable appearance OF the
regular warshps IL is not unlikely that
the commercial bodies of the neighborins
| cities may register another protest with
the Navy Department.
MRS. VAN RENSSELEAR'S YACHT.
The handsome little steam-yacht May,
| owned by Mrs. Van Rensselaer,, of Phi!a-
| delphia, which carried seventy tons of
| choice provisions and delicaces 10 the
troops at Porto Rico at time when they
were badly needed, arrived here this
morning from Ponce, bringing several
officers and men of the popular Battery
A. of Philadelphia, and other soldiers on
sick leave and furlough.
The May weighed anchor this afternoon
! and sailed for Philadelphia. Some of The
men who came 10 Newport News on the
| Yacht are well known here and Inc
others have been heard from at The
| front.
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, is now at Porte
| Rico. suffering with a broken arm. caused
by being thrown from her horse while
out riding with her husband and severa
friends near Ponce.
NEWS Is BOOMING.
There is considerable activity in build
ing circles in Newport News, and the
number OF houses going up in all sec
tions of the city cannot but attract th'
! attention Of observers. Newport News i
| now on the eve of one of the greatest
building booms in the brief but progress
! sive history Of the city, and the fall OF
the year will see many more buildings
of various descriptions contracted for.
During the month of August thirty-onC
building permits have been granted, anc
there are yet two days before the month
| expires.
The real estate agents and contractors
are preparing for a rushing business du-
ring the next few months, and the ac-
tivity in both real estate and building
circles has raised an interesting question
Mr.. Il. Christian has rendered his re-
! signation TO the fire commissioners as
| driver in the fire department TO accept
| the position of superintendent Of the new
piers at the foot Of Twenty-fifth street
| Mr. Christian received his appointment
from the Old Dominion Land Company
! last week, and will enter upon his duties
| September lst
The fire commissioners will elect a
| driver to succeed Mr.. Christian. Only one
| application has been sent in for the po-
sition, but it is understood there are
several candidates.
| AS superintendent of the new pier, Mr..
| Christian has a responsible position, as
| the Old Dominion Land Company expects
| its latest enterprise to be largely patron
lied by railroad companies, oystermen,
and truckers from the surrounding coun-
! try.
The Huntington Rifles. at Camp Cuba
| Libre, near Jacksonville. are being sup
| piled with new uniforms and otherwise
equipped for long service. 1t is the opin-
| ion of the members Of the Fourth Regi-
ment, all of the companies Of which are
| being equipped in the same manner, that
| the regiment will 80 to Cuba with Cen
| eral Lee, although Governor Tyler is said
10 have decided TO select a provisional
regiment TO do police duty in Cuba under
| General Lee.