New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-07
SQUADRON WATTS ORDERS.
COMMODORE sCHLEY'S SHIPS EXPECT
SHORT NOTICE.


NBw-oRLEANs EXPECTED THERE-oRDER
OF THE VESSELS OF THE FLEET
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuxEl
Newport News. Va, May 6.-The United
States cruiser Minneapolis. Captain Jewell.
turned TO Hampton Roads this evening at 3
o'clock from her northern cruise. and rejoined
the Flying Squadron. Captain Jewell signalled
Commodore Schley that he needed coal. and re-
ceved instructions to proceed to Newport News
Mt once TO have his bunkers replenshed.
The Minneapolis arrived here an hour later
and anchored off the Chesapeake and Ohio
niers The coal agency had received orders to
be ready for the cruiser. and as soon as she
dropped anchor lighters loaded with fuel were
sent out The work of coaling will continue all
night as Captain Jewell has orders to return to
Old Point in the morning.
The new cruiser New-Orleans. formerly the
Brazilian warship Amazonas. with Captain Fol-
ger in command. has not yet arrived. From
Cape Henry tonight 1t is reported that a large
vessel appearing to be warship. has been
sighted and It is believed to be the NewOr-
leans She will probably not come In until
morning on account Of the submarine mines.
STILL EXPECTING ORDERS.
The only authentic statement in connection
with the movements Of the Flying Squadron
that can be obtained from the officers is that
they momentariy expect orders to proceed to
Key West and are prepared to sail at mo-
ment's notice.
There Is some speculation as to what rank
Commodore Schley will assume should he be or
dered to join the blockading squadron IN Cuban
waters. Schley ranks Sampson in actual stand
Ing although the commander Of the fighting
squadron has been promoted to Acting Rear-Ad-
miral. 1t is question as to whether or not
echley would be honored by temporary promo
ton and be assigned command Of the entire
feet, as his real rank justly gives him pref
erence Sampson.
The swift torpedo gunboat Scorpion, formerly
the yacht Sovereign. which has been selected as
the dispatch-boat Of the Flying Squadron has
Just received her battery Of 4-inch guns and Is
now a most formidable craft for her dimensions.
ORDER OF THE VESSELS
When the Flying Squadron gets under way.
expecting to meet the enemy on the high seas.
the chips will move In the following formation;
Brooklyn (armored). flagship Captain Cook
with Commodore Schley, holding the van, or
right Of the line Scorpion eighty armoreO. dis
patch-boat, Captain Mark; Massachusetts (nrst-
class battle-ship), Captain Higginson: Mime
apols protected cruiser. Captain Jewell: New
Orleans partly armored cruiser. Captain Fol-
ger: Texas (second-class battle-ship). Captain
Philip bringing UP the left Of the line. Thus 1t
will be seen that the most formidable ships are
on the TANKS.
One noticeable feature about the Flying
Squadron is that every ship. even the small
Scorpion, Is commanded by a captain there
being no commanders in authority.
The Chesapeake and Ohio GOAL agency re-
ceived orders to-day to be prepared to coal the
auxiliary cruiser St. Paul. Captain Sigsbee
which is expected to arrive here about noon to-
morrow
It is possible that the st. Paul may be as
signed to the Flying Squadron. although no
statement to that effect can be obtained off,
GERS protesting not to know. On its face the
fact that three warships shoud arrive in these