The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-29
THE "FLYING SQUADRON"
Commodore Schley Unfurls His Flag
ON the Brooklyn.

On the brOOkIyns
FORT MONROE, Va, March %. - More
than the usual enthusiasm was displayed
to-day by the officers and men of that por-
ton of the American flying squadron" al
ready assembled here when Commodore w.
S. Schley took command. There is always
a perfunctory duty to be dope in such cases,
but the duty to-day was performed with an
ill-concealed enthusiasm that bordered upon
a breach of discipline. Offcers smiled, how
ever. The newly detailed commander could
not in his pleasure at such a greeting, find
fault, and the men were allowed to give
full vent to their feelings The significance
of the greeting was on the general feeling
that the first step toward the completion of
what will be the free fighting squadron had
been taken, and the men apparently were
gratifed, both with the step and with the
choice of commander, for Commodore
Schley is known as a conservative, yet alb
solutely fearless and determined, fighter.
Commodore Schley left Washington last
night and arrifed at Fort Monroe early this
morning. He'was met by an ensign and
big crowd of Sailors who relieved him of
his baggage and received information that
he would go aboard the Brooklyn, which
he has designated as flagship At $3.50, after
breakfast, the commander of the Brooklyn,
Scniey ABOARD a launch ana conveyed nlIl
to the fleet, which lies near Newport News.
The commodore was in civilian dress and
was Saluted with the usual f0rmalitieS as he
passed up the Brooklyns companionway to
begin active service. He was shown to
quarters which are more elaborate than on
any war ship atioat, having been prepared
for exhibit when the Brooklyn visited Eng
land during the Queens jubilee. Within a
half hour after boarding the ship Commo-
dore Schley. in full uniform, was ready to
take command and the men OF the fleet
We're drummed to quarters with the yards
manned, the marines on deck and officers
and gunners at post. Commodore Schley
stepped to the bridge of the Brooklyn, and,
reading his commission as commander, took
possession. At the same instant mis- flag
was broken from the Brooklyn's masthead
and one of the big guns belched forth "a
salute, which was answered from the Mas
saehusetts, lying near. Then enthusiasm
broke loose and there was a roar of APP
pause from the deck and yards. Shortly
chusetts came aboard, and, together with
the officers of the Brooklyn, paid their re-
spects.
The second step in the formation of the
squadron will take place this week. where
the assignment of vessels is complete. For
speed and strength this squadron will be
unexceleds At present the battle ship Mas
sachusetts, of l0,2SS tons, and capable of
eighteen knots an hour, and the protected
first-class cruiser Brooklyn, of 9,271 tons,
and capable of twenty-five knots an hour,
form the nucleus of the squadron. During
the week it is expected that the Minneap-
81
three knots. and the Columbia, 6,735 tons,
with a speed of twenty-three knots, will be
added While these fighting ships are
rated as cruisers only, they are of type
equal to the best battle ships of SPAIN The
Brooklyn. particularly, is the highest type
of a fighting machine, and its equipment of
rapid-fire guns exceeds both in number and
caiber any first-class battle ship of Spain
In speed the squadron will be unexcelled.
Its averageNspeed even if it waits for the
heavy battles ship Massachusetts, being 21.5
knots. The four best boats in the Spanish
fleet average but 1875 knots. Commodore
Schley said this morning: Il have no or
ders to move. nor do know when any will
come. We are ready to move at the short
est kind of notice upon the completion of
the fleet"
In addition 10 Admiral Schey. these off,
GERS reported to the squadron to-day:
Lieutenant Sears, detached from the naval
home Lieut. b. w. Wells, jr.. detached
from the Monadnock; Naval Cadet E. NJ
Cauiey, jr,. detached from the New York
The cruiser Columbia sailed from League
Island navy yard at 3:15 this afternoon TO
Join the flying squadron"