The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-14
THE SPANISH FLEET.
Ii Is Composed of Four Fast Cruisers
and Three Destroyers.

ana Inree DestrOyerSs
WASHINGTON, May 13.-The informa-
ton that the Spanish squadron had been
sighted off Martinique caused decided SEN
sation throughout naval circles, as this
brings close to Admiral Simpsons squadron
the formidable collection of Spans strong
est and most modern vessels. 1t is this fleet
which was reported to be lying at Cadiz
Evidently the latter report was inspired
by Spanish strategy Martinique is a French
island lying five hundred miles east of
Porto Rico and seven hundred miles from
the eastern coast of Cuba. 1t is one of the
out West Indies and the initial point at
which a Spanish fleet coming from Cape
Verde would first make landing 1t must
now pass the French island of Guadaloupe,
to the west, the Danish island of St
Thomas a little further west, and then its
course is open to Porto Rico unless Admiral
SIMPSONS feet engages it before that move
is made AS they stand now the two fleets
are over five hundred miles apart, which
both fleets by hard sailing could cover in
one day, or the sailing of one fleet would
bring them together in two days
The Spanish squadron is made up of seven
first-class ships, of which four are armored
cruisers and three destroyers This is as
near the exact strength as can be stated. for
the reports from Cape Verde and from Cadiz
have caused much doubt as to the exact
strength of the Spanish squadron But al
lowing for the torpedo boats and other
craft which returned to Cadiz there is lit
tie doubt that the Spanish squadron off
Martinique has at least seven war ships of
formidable dimensions. These are:
Armored cruiser Vizcaya-Built of steel,
with double screws, two turrets. two fun
nels and two military masts with tops !;
length 364 feet; displacement $3.50 tons !;
maximum speed, 20.2 knots She has
an armor belt of steel five feet six inches
broad 80 feet long and ten or twelve inches
thick. Her turrets have nine-inch steel
armor; coming towers, twelve-inch armor.
Her protected deck is from two to three
inches of steel HeT armament is two IL
inch Hontoria guns, mounted sngly in tur-
rets one forward and one aft ten 53-inch
guns, five on each beam. the forward and
aft ones being sponsored; eight 6-pounders,
ten 1-pounders, eight Nordenfelt machine
guns, two Maxim machine guns; six torpedo
tubes and two submerged torpedo tubes. She
carries AS men.
Armored cruiser Almirante Oouendo-
bultt OF steel double screw, two turrets,
etc. Her tonnage, armor and armament in
caya.
~ CRUISER iuIduLd Maria Teresa
Built of steel $3.50 tons displacement. This
cruiser is also identical to the Vizcaya.
Armored cruiser Cristobal Colon-Built of
steel; twin screws, two covered barbettes.
fore and aft, two tunnels, one military
mast. Length, 32S feet; displacement 6 $50
tons; speed. 20 knots. Her armor consists
of a complete nickel steel belt eight feet
three inches wide, eight inches thick The
armor of the barbettes is six inches thick.
The protected deck is from two to eight
inches thick; coming tower six inches All
the guns have shields. Her armament is two
1O-inch guns, ten 6-inch guns. six 4.7.inch
guns, ten 6-pounders. ten 1-pounders. two
Maxim machine guns, four torpedo tubes.
She has a complement of 500 men
The Terror and Juror are torpedo boats
destroyers lately added to the Spanish
navy, having been built at Clyde Bank in
1896 They are of steel. with three tunnels
and one mast; length, 200 feet: dispIace-
ment, 800 tons; speed. IS knots: armament.
two l4-pounder quick-firers, two 6-DoundeT
quick-firers. Each destroyer mounts two IA
FOUNDER torpedo tubes on deck and carries
u crew If 81.
The + uton is another formida bic modern
destroyer but her exact dimensions and
armament are not available at the Navy
Department.