The herald., 1898-04-14
FLYING SQUADRON
STARTS ON AN UNKNOWN
MISSION
A FLEET OF FIGHTERS
HAULS UP THE ANCHORS AND
PUTS TO SEA i
THE TEARS OF SAILORS WIVES
Give Grim Foretaste Of Days When
Ships Will Sail but Not on
Practice Cruises
ssociated Press Special Wire

Associated Press Special Wire
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. with the flying
squadron), April 13.-Commodore Schley
started to sea precisely at 2:3O o'clock and
before dark would have been many miles
from land but for the fact that the Min
neapolis fouled her anchor chain and wat
over two hours in an effort to free 1t. FL.
nally, when near Cape Henry, the Mime.
apolis not having Joined the squadron
Commodore Schley sent the Columbia ia
Fort Monroe to tell the Minneapolis that
she should find the rest of the squadron
fifteen miles east of Cape Henry, where
they would wait her arrival Beyond thh
fact, none of the officers on board this
Brooklyn were aware at o'clock Of hei
destination, and Commodore schley de-
clined to say what her mission was,
The squadron presented a most imposing
picture when it finally got together. Firs4
came the Brooklyn. then the Massachu.
sets, then the Columbia, then the Mime.
apoiis and finally the battleship Texas,
holding the left of the line, the second
place of honor. They bowied along at 4
splendid speed, and Commodore Schley
said as he looked back on them from this
bridge: "There's good lot Of fighters fol
you. I'd like to see anything that can WHY
them"
The Brooklyn had 5O4 men on board when
she left Fort Monroe, four having gona
| ashore because of illness. II the cruisa
started today is not a practice one. the
| first stop will be made at Bermuda.
A fearful Farewell
FORT MONROE, Va. April 13.-It be-
came known early in the forenoon that
Commodore Schley had received sailing or.
ders, and Immediately the scene on the
| ships and ashore became one of animation
At 1880 o'clock Commodore 6chley and
number of other officers came of In the
launches to bid farewell to their wives and
families, who have been stopping at tha
hotels An affecting scene followed. The
wives accompanied their sailor husbands
to the pier, tears streaming down theil
| cheeks, not knowing whether 1t was to ha
long farewell or what would happen be-
| fore they met again. In the midst Of tha
good-byes the all-aboard gun doomed from
the Brooklyn, and the officers stepped into
the launches and steamed quickly to theiI
ships.
At night 1t was reported ON what 10 be-
lieved to be good authority htat the squad
ron was ordered out on a practice cruise
and that the fleet will return to Old Point
some time tomorrow. The ships are
stripped for action and carry full supply
Of provisions and ammunition.
Grim Activity
| WASHINGTON, April 13.-This was .
day of stirring activity at the navy and
war departments. Anticipating decisive
action by congress. the machinery of tho
military and naval branches Of the gov.
| eminent was early put in motion and
events of grave Significance followed In
quick succession. The first event to be.
| come known was the acquisition by thu
navy department of the American line
steamships st. Louis and st. Paul, and
coupled with the announcement came ths
| information that In all probability Capt.
Sigsbee would be placed In command OF
| one and Capt. Goodrich of the other.
Despite the utmost precautiou, 1t devel.
oped before noon that the flying squadron
| had been ordered to move from Hampton
roads for practice trip. The practice trip
will probably take the squadron outside the
capes, where they can be easily reached by
dispatch boat if it becomes evident thai
| they are needed.
| The purchase of another first class aux
| iliary first class cruiser, probably the
Yorktown of the Old Dominion line, and
| the purchase of the Brazilian cruiser
| Nictheroy is contemplated.
! The last named vessel is about to be In.
spected and the result will determine the
question of her requirement by the UNITED
States. The purchase of the st. Paul and
! the st. Louis is probably the most expens.
i've transaction oonsummated by the navy
department since the beginning of the wal
| excitement. These vessels cost over g..
| 900 each and are regarded as among the
best vessels of that class in the world, be-
| ing exceeded in speed only by tho KaisoI
| Wilhelm der Crosse Of the German and the
Lucania and the Campania Of the English
line The amount paid for them is an offic.
ial secret, but 1t is known to be somewhere
| in the neighborhood of 100000.
Signs of activity for what now seems ia
be a probable conflict were continued al
the war department. but Gen. Miles says
that nothing is likely to be done In The way
of moving any large body Of troops south.
ward until there Is more evidence that
their services will be needed.