The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-14
TO CRUSH SPANISH FLEET
THE MEN WERE DELIGHTED TO
BE OFF.
SQUADRON LEFT UNDER SEALED ORDERS
The Minneapolis and New Orleans Left Behind
but will Follow lmmediaieIy-.4,0o0
Tons Of Coal win be Carried
For Use Of fleet.
For Use Of Fleet.

Newport News, Va, May 13.-Fiye
vessels Of the Flying Squadron, lead by
the flagship Brooklyn, steamed out of
Hampton Roads this afternoon and after
passing the Virginia capes took a south
erly course, going, it is said, to augment
Admiral SIMPSONS fleet now in the vi
entity Of Porto Rico.
The order directing the squadron to
put to sea came at midnight last night
4 few minutes later the signal '.bc ready
to put to sea at day break" was flashed
from the flagship. Back from the mem
of war came the answer. In jiffy the
men were summoned to the decks and
the work Of making the ships ready t.
sail commenced. Suppressed excitement,
mingled with delight prevailed. The
little steam launches were hoisteu
aboard and decks cleared. Then the
men waited for the signal to weigh an
Choir. Day broke, but the signal was
not hoisted. The day wore on toward
noon and still the sailing flag was not
seen. Small craft ran to and fro, carry
ing dispatches. Noon passed and the
men went to mess. Excitement gave way
to Impotence for the men had been
lying off Old Point for the last six weeks
waiting for orders To go to sea and they
were afraid they were to be disap-
pointed. but not so. At 4 o'clock, Il sig
nal ordering the battle ship Massachn-
sets, Texas, dispatch boat Scorpion and
Collier Sterling to weigh anchor was rus
up to the top of the Brooklyn's mill
tary mast Thirty minutes later smoke
was curling from the stacks on the ships
and they were ploughing the sea at IA
rate of fifteen knots. Hundreds of peO-
Die. most of them the guests at the hotels
and wives and daughters of the officers
on the ships. stood on the dock and
waved and shu0ted a God-speed to the
men who were going to do battle 70,
their country. After passing through
the capes the Scorpion took the lead.
acting as scout The fleet viii join
Admiral Simpsons squadron, this came
from a reliable source. The ships passed
the cape mt T:f5 o'clock. After reaching
the open sea it is said the vessels took
the middle course. proceeding under full
steam. The cruisers Minneapolis and
New Orleans were left behind as was
also the auxiliary cruiser st. Paul,
which is still anchored in the harbor
here taking on a supply of ammunition.
At 5 o'clock tonight the Minneapolis
hauled up her anchors and steamed out
at full speed to overtake the squadron.
1t had been reported that the st. Paul,
Captain SigSbee commanding, and the
New Orleans would not leave before day
break tomorrow, but late this evening
Captain Sigsbee received orders TO pro-
ceed at midnight. and at that hour the
st. Paul, probably the fastest war ship
in the navy. steamed down Hampton
Roads to Old Point, where she was
Joined by the New Orleans at Old POinr
and both vessels then put to sea. They
are expected to overtake COmmocOre
Schley some time tomorrow evening or
early Sunday morning. The fact that
the Sterling, laden with 1000 tons of
coal, accompanied the fleet indicates that
the squadron has gone to meet the Span
ish fleet from Cape de Verde. The ar
rival of the Flying Squadron will great
ly strengthen Admiral Simpsons fleet
enabling him to crush the Spanish war
ships in one decisive engagement.
There is another report in circulation
tonight that iotilla of Spanish torpedo
boats has been sighted cruising along
the Atlantic coast and that the Flying
Squadron has been ordered out to inter-
cept the fleet and sink the boats, but an
officer from the St Paul says no Gre
dcncc should be placed in the rumor
Commodore Schley left under sealed or
ders.