Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-05-26
ARRIVAL OF THE OREGON.
Navy pepartment Confirms the Re
port That She Has Reached
Jupiter, Fla.

Navy Department COn0fmo tne ne
port That She Has Reached
Jupiter, Fla.
WASHINGTON. May S.-Rather reluct-
antly the navy department confirmed the
report Of the presence OF the Oregon at
Jupiter Inlet. Fla, where she arrived last
night The reluctance Is shown because
the department has regarded 1t as good pol
icy to keep the enemy In Ignorance OF the
whereabouts OF our vessels. While deciin-
ing to give any details Of the trip at this
time, tho officials admit that the ship
swung clear to the eastward Of both the
Lesser and Greatef Antilles, after leaving
Barbados. until she arrived at point OPP
posite the Bahamas, when she turned
sharply in and made for the Florida coast.
Just what she is doing at Jupiter cannot
be learned. Perhaps she is lying there to
guard the great channel between the Ba-
hafnas and Florida, as this would be the
course followed by the Spanish squadron
or by the torpedo boat destroyer Terror, in
the event the Spanish had determined on
an attack on some OF the cities OF the
North Atlantic coast.
In that case, nothing would be likely to
pass the Oregon without rendering fair
account. On the other hand. she may be
simply at Jupiter awaiting the instructions
OF the department asfto where to proceed
for cleaning and coaling. in which case It
would not be surprising II she appeared at
Port Royal tomorrow and tested the new
dock there for the first time for q battle
ship since her sister ship. the Indiana. was
carried in a couple Of years ago.
The Oregon left Mare island, CAL. 1900
miles away from Jupiter. on March 19, SO
she has averaged 200 miles a day for sixty
five days. As a matter Of fact, the vessel
has made much better speed, for a good
many days were lost in taking coal at the
South American ports.
The Pacific coast contingent in Washing
ton cannot restrain their enthusiasm over
the remarkable performance Of this crea-
tion of the slope workshops. Representa-
tive Hilbofn called at, tho navy department
to verify the news Of the ships arrival, and
he found the oficials were fully disposed to
agree with him in all that he had to say
as to the Oregon's great record. He says
that by this performance the ship has ST.
lenced forever the congressional critics Of
battleships who had declared that no bat
tleship ever had or would cross the Attain
tic. for the 0regon's run was fraught with
more peril and involved straight way
stretches of greater length than the Allan.
tic passage in any season.
The locating OF the Oregon came about In
a peculiar way. by means Of beach watch
ers who are on the alert for the approach
of hostile ships. These beach patrols con-
tinue night and day. and last night the
patrol was rewarded by sighting the big
American battleship. Signaling was begun
by the use of torches. and in this way
messages to and from the battleship were
exchanged through the night. In turn
these messages we're sent to, the navy de-
partment which is. connected. by wire
with the signal station, near Jupiter inlet.
The Oregon has not yet sent the usual no.
tice of her arrival. 1t is the first time the
new patrol system has had the opportunity
to show its efficiency. not only in guarding
the approach OF hostile ships but also in
reporting to the navy department the move
ments of our own ships.