Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-11-26
CUR GROh|N NAVY.
The Annual Report Of Secretary Long
Made Public.

HE REVIEWS THE WAR OPERA
TIoNS IN DETAIL-OUR NAVY
BEFORE AND AFTER THE COM
ADVANCEMENT OF HOSTILITIES.
THE NEW SHIPS ADDED. AND
THE INCREASE IN Unlisted
MEN AND OFFICERS-THE REC
COMBINATIONS FOR NEW SHIPS.
The annual report of the Secretary Of
the Navy was made public to-day. In
his preliminary address to the Presi-
dent, Secretary Long says
Since my last annual report the
navy has. for the first time since its
rehabilitation, been put to the SUI
preme test of war. Years of patient,
persistent training and development
had brought to a point of high eff
cheney, which resulted in the unparal-
leled victories at Manila and Santiago
victories which have given the names
of our naval commanders worldwide
fame, and added an additional page to
the glorious naval history of our coun-
try
The report deals with the war opera
lions IL a comprehensive yet necessar-
lily brief manner. AS early as January
18th last. the Department recognized
that war with Spain was probable, and
this early directed the commander of
the European squadron to retain men
whose terms of enlistment was about
to expire, and the commander of the
South American fleet was also advised
of the probable outcome. The Maine
and on February 18th she was de-
stroyed, and from that date
ACTIVE PREPARATIONS FOR WAR
were commenced. war being actually
declared by Congress April 21st. On
the oath the following telegram was
sent to Commodore Dewey at Hong
Kong
WASHINGTON. April "a, 1898.
Dewey, Hong Kong:
War has commenced between the
United states - u spain. proceed at once
to the Philippine Islands. Commence OPP
erations at once particularly against the
Spanish feet You must capture vessels
or destroy. Use utmost endeavors.
LONG"
Following this Secretary Long says:
On the 9th this squadron, compos-
ed Oh the Olympia (fag), Baltimore,
Raleigh, Petrol, Concord, Boston, and
McCulloch, sailed from Mrs Bay,
China.
con the morning of May 1 it entered
the harbor of Manila, successfully pass
ing the forts and mine defenses guard
ing the entrance to the bay, and de-
stroyed the Spanish fleet under the
guns of the forts at Cavite.
"The Reina Christina, Castillo, Don
Antonio de Ulloa were sunk, the Don
Juan de Austria, Isla de Luzon, Isla
~. Cuba, General Leo, Marques del
Fae G4aGeRro Haffflff SEE fer chipr1ls afla
small launches were captured.
Il Dewey has contracted for the
Lg of the Cuba, Luzon and Aus
via, and this work is now in progress
The Spanish loss, as given in the
report OF Admiral Montejo, was, in
Guiding those at the arsenal, 3S1 men
Killed and wounded. Not a man was
lost in our fleet, and but nine slightly
wounded. No damage was done orr
ships"
The operations of the fleet on the
Atlantic are detailed, both as to Of
fensive work and the blockades but
with these operations the public is al
ready familiar. The work of the ma
rlne corps, of the naval militia. of the
United States auxiliary naval force and
the signal service are all reviewed. and
Que credit given for good work. In
al ITO auxiliary ships were added Tn |
the navy during the war, 102 bv actual
purchase, at prices varying from
Sl,429,215 for the Amazonas, down to !
$4,000 for the Hercules. Prior to the
outbreak of hostilities the number Of
enlisted men in the navy was 125OO
On August 18th this had increased to
the maximum number of 24,123. The
MAXIMUM FIGHTING FORCE
Z 1the navy, separated into classes
was:-
Battle ships (irst class).
hattie ships Second clalss) .. /
Armored cruisers - q q
coast defense monitors .
Armored ram , '''''''''''''
N-N'Si 10 |
s,'iot ooto'eu iuiserS Observation-Disclosures.
Dynamite cruiser 10
49, --....-......... III ]
Auxiliary Navy: Aiioiiilofs IA
Auxiliary cruisers :,
Converted yachts . ''''''' 90 10
Revenue cutters 20
Light house tenders ''''''''' 10
ConUprtad t,,oe 4