The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-04
EPOCH MAKING EVENT
Schley's Flying Squadron Is a
Cracker Jack.
WORK is CUT OUT FOR IT
This Fleet Is One of the Most Formid-
able That Can Be Got Together by
Any Nation in the World.
Anxious for Battle.

From a Staff Correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press.
Hampton Roads. April 3.-The prac-
teal completion of a flying squadron of
the American navy by the assignment
of Commodore w. s. Schley to take
charge and his acceptance as marked
by his active operations on Monday
last. is an epoch-making event in the
history OF the present difficulty. No
other action of this government since
the Maine disaster. so actively deter
mines the fact that actual warfare has
been expected. The North Atlantic
squadron is always organized, and the
appointment of Captain Sampson to its
command is but the naturel sequence
OF the retirement OF Admira Sicard
from active duty. So. too. the assign
ment of warships to that ~quadr or
to the Pacific squadron, are but moves
toward the mobilization that might oc-
cur at any time. But flying squadrons
are the direct outcome of dangerouscon-
ditions, are not necessaries of standing
navies i'm time of peace, and are expedi-
tions of an extraordinary nature Great
ed only when the government fully
decides that there Is fear of attack. or
that the time is ripe for an attack from
here. II is therefore not only possible,
but highly probable. that the new
American flying squadron has work cut
out for IL.
The feet which will bear this eupho-
NOUS title Is one Of the most formid-
able that can be gathered together by
any nation. Realistically In favor OF
the United States as this statement
may be. facts bear IL out. A great rate
of speed, In armored protection, in call
Der and number of guns and In fighting
quality and discipline of men, 1t can be
proven that the composition of this
flying squadron Is superior, In point OF
numbers being equal to any
ton of a like nature that can be formed
by a foreign power.
When on the Brooklyn, evidence of
an unmistakable character was appar-
ent that every man, from stoker to
commandant. was not only fearless OF
battle, but courted II, and hoped II
would come. The small caliber gun
that fired the co~mmodore's salute with
blank cartridges sang out a high
pitched pean of welcome above the
unchecked water of Hampton Roads
where, IS years ago, the Monitor and
Merrimac fought their terrible battle.
sunshine touched the hills, just assum-
ing their emerald garb, and nature
awoke after her Information caressing
the hills, spoke only of peace. But as
the smoke blew by, in every eye was
the kindling spark of vengeance for
fellow seamen hurled to death, and the
hope that the lannon's tenor note might
be changed to the dreadful one OF war
and. IL war comes what of this squad
ron?
w. s. Schley, commodore command
ing the fleet. is a well built man OF
about 81 years of age, with a general
appearance denoting thoughtfulness
and diplomacy coupled with certain
characteristics which Indicate force oil
character and quickness of action when
developments require those features;
la~rge-headed and kindly-faced, a smil-
ing eye evidently not given to temper,
quick to answer. searching inquiry, this
man. as he treads the captains bridge
of the Brooklyn I'm a nav uniform, or
shakes hands with you in the lobby of
a hotel i'm civilian clothes, impresses
you as the firm, unyielding warrior.
Just the man to take partial orders
for "A flying squadron and conduct him
self with credit to his country. In the
atmosphere to-day which surrounded
him. there Is a spirit akin to that Ger
man song. which says: w have all
had more than enough of love. and now
for a song of hatred" but in the COM
mander there Is 10 sign of emotional
desire. yet, when the summons comes
the songs Of those who cry loudly now
! NAV weaker tnpuSn 10 bt 'bDlNo
by the command of this intrepid leader
of a host.
In the makeup of the flying squad
ron speed and fighting qualities has
been considered. A summary of the
points I'm comparison with those OF the
best boats that Spain can offer I'm max
ing up a similar squadron follows:
Horse Speed
Name Tons. Power. Knots
Brooklyn. e.. 9.215 $4,000 -
Columbia. .. e.. 1875 1900 %
Massachusetts. 10,2SS 5000 "a
MINNEAPOLIS go. 1875 II. 200 23L
The four best armored cruisers tina
Spain has compared with this fleet o
flyers would be as follows:
Horse Speed
Name Tons. Power. Knots
Vizcaya.. ..... 1000 $4,000 2
~Infanta Maria. 1000 $4,000 9
Peiayo.... .... $500 5000 L
Ouuendo.. 49,. 1000 $4,000 :
The total displacement tonnage of tn
United States flying squadron Is sS,los
and of the Spanish 10000. The average
horsepower of the United States YES
sells is 10. 500, and that OF the Spanish
11.750. The average rate of speed o
the four United States ships Is 2lS
knot per hour, while the Spanish flee
has to content itself with 10 knots. /
is possible that the battleship Massa
chusetts being somewhat slower tina
the rest of the fleet will be supplante'
by the New York. and the average q
speed and fighting capabity or IN
squadron will be increased. 1t must b
remembered that the Brooklyn an
New York are two Of the finest type
of lighting machines in the world. hav
ing their main batteries supplied wit
20 "A fire guns with which very FEY