The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-21
THE VOYAGE FROM CUBA.
Electrical Display I'm Windward
Passage-The Indiana Disabled.


NEW YORK, Aug. 2O.-The flagship New
York led the fleet into port this morning,
passing the Hook at a. m. She was fol-
lowed by the Iowa and Indiana. Then came
the Brooklyn and Massachusetts, the Ore
son guarding the rear. The fleet was lost
sight of shortly after passing the Hook,
thick haze covering the bay and ocean at
the time. The entire population of Sandy
Z Hook was on the beach and clustered on
the tops of the batteries of Fort Hancock,
shouting and swinging their hats and caps.
Flags and bunting were in sight everywhere.
The men or board the vessels crowded the
decks, all looking neat, dressed in white
duck or blue clothing. Signals were made
frequently from the flagship to the following
squadron. No salute was fired from the
fort The New York left quarantine for
Tompkinsvile at S:35. All the boats started
up the river at 1910
Since leaving Guantanamo, on Sunday
morning, no incidents of unusual nature,
except a temporary breakdown on the part
of the Indiana, married the homeward prog
ress of SIMPSONS fleet. Few ships were
passed. Smooth seas and fair winds made
the passage pleasant. There was occasional
change of formation. Heading out from Gu
ba, the armor-clad ships came in single col
umn, the New York leading, the Iowa next,
then the Indiana Brooklyn, Massachusetts,
and Oregon. At night the fleet shone with
sidelights and running lights, and the port
holes were lit up by electric lights from
within, which blazed out on the waters as
the ships passed through the Windward
passage. 1t is months since such an illumi-
nation has been seen in Cuban waters, where
war ships blockade runners, transports and
all sorts and conditions of craft have been
threading their way with all lights screened
great shadows that passed silently. The
last night there was a change to the origi-
nal column, and, trailing behind the gallant
New York. the ships that have stood the
brunt of the war passed Sandy Hook this
morning. 1t did not require the strains of
the fgship's band to make all hands glad,
for before its jubilant airs were heard eager
eyes had seen that low, gray stretch of land
which they knew was home
The accident to the Indiana was a break
down of her condensers. Twice on the trip
from Guantanamo she has Jagged behind
to make repairs and the other ships reduced
their speed that the Indiana might catch
UP with them. AS the air got cooler the spir-
its of the three thousand men and officers
aboard the six ships rose correspondingly.
The relief from the perpetual heat of Cuba
was indeed appreciated.
Admiral Sampson, looking far better than
when war commenced is very glad to get
home. Speaking of his crews, and especially
the crews of the Indiana, Iowa and New
York, who have had no shore liberty for
seven months, he said: They have borne
their privationS in manner beyond all
praise" Summing up what has been one
of the most successful and important naval
campaigns in the history of the world.
Sampson says: THE navy has been very
fortunate. w have. / think, made no mis-
takes
How much Sampson contributed to the
success of the war, the efficiency of his
advice and the splendid manner he directed
the largest fleet ever under the command
of one man in the history of the United
States. probably will not be known or fully
appreciated until the history of this war is
written.
The health of the feet is excellent. The
ships need docking badly. the Indiana. Iowa
and New York especially. The first named
will probably require a thorough overhaul
ing of her machinery In no way, however.
did the big ships show the hard usage to
which they had been subjected. The Brook
ton of those though the smokestacks, had
been patched and the big ship reprinted and
polished until 1t shone. On the starboard
side could be seen a great steel patch over
the hold, where one of the Vizcaya's shots
went through, and on the quarter deck a
wooden patch where the deck had been torn
up The armor belt still holds the print Of
large shell and a critical eye can see the
dents made by several more, even through
the gauze OF new gray paint The Iowa has
a patch over her bow, where she was llit BY