Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-11

Washington, June 10.-Another
formidable American fleet has been
assembled. consisting of 16 war
ships Of various classes, headed by
the big battleship Indiana, which,
for all around effectiveness, stands
at the head of the navy. This fleet
is assembled at Port Tampa and
is to serve as a convoy for the
troop transports from that point.
The formation of this formidable
convoy feet is due to the reports
more or less indefinite that Spanish
ships were lurking between Florida
and Cuba with a view of intercept
ing the troops transports. The navy
department. has not given serious
credit to these reports, yet they
were more or less circumstantial.
In order to avoid the slightest pos
sbility of a dash by some Spanish
ships against the troop transports
this new fleet of Is warships was
determined upon. Whether it Was
ordered from Washington or was
due to the precautionary measures
OF the officials in command in the
South is not disclosed. 1t is known
only that Commodore Remey, COM
mander of the naval base at Key
West, has brought together this
powerful fleet of conveys. 1t is
strong enough, both in numbers of
ships, size Of individual ships and
armament, to cope with
ANY SPANISH VESSELS
that might be at large in the West
Indies, and it entirely eliminates
any possible danger that might at
tend the Transporting Of the army
Of Invasion TO Cuba. Capt. Taylcr,
VINO commands the Indiana, is
available as commander of this
squadron, although it is not dis
closed definitely who will be its
chief. Commodore Watson is with
the bockadlng fleet off Havana,
and cannot we'll be spared from that
position, which will be maintained
efficiently Notwithstanding the
drafts made to create this large
convoy squadron. Captain Taylor
Is regarded as one of the most judi
clouS and capable officers in the
service and should the squadron
command fall on him, it is felt that
II VIII be in able hands. The In
u'aha probably will be the flag
EMP OF the convoy squadron. There
probably will be other battleships
'u' It is not deemed advisable for
pu1entlal reasons to give the full
ASt Of the ships in exact detail.
me Indiana is considered ~ne of
'Ne most formidable ships afloat,
0e'Ag regarded by naval experts as
superior as fighting machine to
'ae Shlps Of the Terrible class in
e BRUSH navy She has a dis
p''Vement of 10,2SS tons ana has a
nam battery of IS large guns be-
'OeS many smaller rapid-fire and
'iiihe guns in her secondary
%"''eIy Her largest guns are of
V l5-lnch class, four in number,
DO0aled IN turrets, two forward
and two aft.
De desirability of forming this
Ivy was suggested by the informa-
80N coming through
OFFICIAL CHANNELS
'' spanish ships left Barcelona
LII Gays ago, bound for Cuban
Tvs This information came 10
y, re state Department. 1t was 70
~ eHeet that the ships included
, ,nlee Spanish warships and one
-. 'sporI The information was
.Safded as trustworthy. 1t was
o,''i'hlcated to the navy depart
w., ana led to careful considera-
s
,o. a little later came the re-
w., from the ships off Florida
VIII, suspicious looking vessels,
n military tops, had been secn
Va. we offing, These last reports
'eceiVed with some credulity.