New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-25
WHERE DID THE CRUISERS GO'
THE ERRAND OF THE MINNEAPOLIS AND
COLUMBIA NOT YET MADE KNOWN

PREVAILS THAT THEY ARE TO CONVOY
THE PARIs-LAYING SUBMARINE
MINES IN HAMPTON ROADS.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TR1BrXEl
Old Point Comfort, Va. April 24.-The Flying
Squadron. or rather its fighting nucleus. is still
at anchor in Hampton Roads, the only change
in position being the shifting Of the Texas this
morning to point nearer the Brooklyn and
Massachusetts The troop ship Panther for
merly the Venezuela. Is anchored close by the
Texas. her decks literally swarming with ma
rines. Of whom there are 500 IN all who viii
lead the army OF invasion into Cuba
The Panther will not start to- night and can
not possibly get away until convoy be
provided. 1t is thought that she will await the
return OF the Minneapolis and Columbia, which.
II is stated officially. have not gone out any dis
tance. and will rejoin the fleet shortly.
The possible destination OF the two fleet
cruisers has been the chief topic OF conversation
to-day among the officers. Commodore Schley
and Captains Jewell and Sands. OF the Mime
apol!s and Columbia. are the only ones acQuaint-
cd with the exact nature OF the orders which
sent the ships away 80 unceremoniousy last
night.
1t Is not unlikely that the cruisers went out
to take the Spanish steamship Bonita. under
Captain BILL which left Galveston last Thursday
morning for Newport News for coal. The
Ben,ta well out to sea before the opening
OF hostfties. and probably knows nothing OF
her imminent danger. 1t is thought that the
Minneapolis and Columbia may have gone TO
meet her before she learns OF the state OF affairs
from passing ships in time take direct
course for Cadz.
Another statement Is to the effect that the
cruisers Went after the revenue cutters Hamil-
ton Morrill, and Hudson. which passed out yes
terday for Key West, and this theory IS
strengthened somewhat by the fact that the
Hamilton returned to the Virginia capes to-
night. and is anchored inside the bay.
The general belief however. is that the Paris
will be met by the Minneapolis and Columbia
and conveyed to New-York The press bulletin
stating that Spanish cruisers had been dis
patched after the big liner created more excite
ment here to-day. and served TO settle the ques-
tiOn Of destination in the minds Of many.
The big collier Merrimac finished coaling to-
night Lambert's Point. and will Join the
squadron tomorrow with GOo0 tons IN her
bunkers. The work OF laying the submarine
mines in Hampton Roads was begun to-day and
the engineers can be plainly seen at their duties
from the wharf Eighty-two mines will be laid
between Fort Monroe and the capes \
carload Of dynamite arrived at the fort tonight
from Pennsylvania and will be used in con-
nection with gun-cOttOn In loading the mines
yet TO be laid The steamp' II ward arrived az
Norfolk today with $50 Of the Maryland Naval
Reserves. who will man the cruiser Dixie. after
undergoing training on the Franklin. The
Michigan Naval Militia. FOR the Yosemite. Will
arrive at Newport News this week.
The German steamship Essen. Captain Shro-
der. arrived at Newport News yesterday from
Savannah. FOR coal. and received directions to-
day TO remain until further orders The owners
desirOus Of selling hor 10 the Government
Lieutenant Gait. United States Navy. inspected
her this morning. The mosquito "unboat sioux.
Ensign Gherardi Of Admiral Gherardi. IN
command passed out this afternoon for Key
West She cheerod by the crew II The
warships at anchor. The Morrill, has .uruod
20 the capes, and is anchored near Hampton.
The return OF these vessels IS surrounded in
mystery.