New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-14
FLYING SQUADRON STARTS.
COMMODORE sCHLEY's wARsHIPs WEIGH
ANCHOR AT HAMPTON ROADS.
SAILING WITH SEALED oRDERs-PRoBABLY OFF
FOR A PRACTICE CRUIsE--THE MINNEAPOLIS
LEFT BEHIND FOR TrME-sHE WAS DE-
IAYED By MINOR ACCIDENTS. But
FINALLY GOT UNDER WAY.

IAYED By MINOR ACCIDENTS. BUT
FINALLY GOT UNDER WAY.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE rnIBUSE.l
ola Point Comfort Va, April 13.-The
Hampton Roads squadron, popularity known
az the Flying Squadron, under command Oh
Commodore Winfield Scott Schley. weighed an
Choir at . o'clock to-day, and put out 10 sea
twenty minutes later, not with It's full strength.
however as the Minneapolis found difficulty IN
releasing her anchor, and for time was lying
TO- several miles belonw Fortress Monroe
It is rumored here, on the strength OF press
dispatch received from Washington that the
squadron has gone 70 sea only Tor rourtee"
hours. and will return probably at daypreak TO-
morrow Little credence Is placed on this re-
port, as storm signals are flying, ana IL Is u''-
likely that Commodore Schley even were ne 10.
under sealed orders, would take his ships 10 sea
for practice work or squadron mahpuNie' :"
the face of gale
There is something in the wind" as an ofhcer
from the Katahdin expressed 1t. and "heh 'i'e
Flying Squadron Is next heard from IL VIII P''p-
ably be well to the south. and bearing FOR one
of the Spanish island possessions.
The stationary position OF the Minneapolis
down the Roads. in full view Of Ola foiht'
created considerable speculation as TO her pur-
pose in remaining, she was expected ny haVai
officers to be one OF the most serviceaDe SHIPS
with the squadron, owing to the high rate OF
speed 1t IL rumored here tonight that the
crulser went aground on making the turn AFTER
releasing her anchor. and her proximity 10 the
shore lends color 10 the report
u was learned here about 10 o'clock this
morning that Commodore Schley had received
orders to sail with his squadron at o'clock and
Iia1 In
hours.
Commodore Schley came ashore at ll"V u
bid Mrs. Schley farewell. ut the ChamDerhn
Hotel IIe remained In the hotel about half an
hour and then returned TO the Brooklyn III
his nrivete launch At II :55 the gun for All
aboard,' was fired from the flagship, and every
officer seaman and marine under Commodore
schloy IN his proper place
From that time on the Government and no
tel piers and the breakwater were crowded with
enthusiastic men. women and children anxious
70 witness the departure OF the crack "atships
|. was very evident from the shore that unusuai
activity prevailed aboard all OF the ships. ON
GERS and men could be plainly distinguished
respectly.lv giving and Obeying orders. and all
Of the launches and boats were holsted aboard
At 1:45 o'clock a set Of signals was raised 10
the flagship forepeak. and every anchor was
Weighed At go more signalling was done, ana
the lead colorcd vessels Immediately got under
way. The flagship Brooklyn. Captain f. a.
Cook headed the column. closely followed well
10 the starboard by the frst-class oattie-sh'p
Nassa ,husetts. Captain F. J. IHeginson. and
the protected cruiser Minneapolis Captain }.
n sands. almost IN her wake The protected
cruiser Columbia Captain r F. Jewell sister
ship 70 the Minneapolis then passed. and was
followed By the second-class battle-ship Iexas
Captain r. W. Phillips
The Minneapolis stopped off Fortress Monroe
and rf"r STARTING gain came anot her fun stop
several miles down the bay. Al 80 The CO.
lumhil was discovered coming IN. and she soon
ran close by the Minneapolis. The other SHIPS
came In sight again and awaited the sister SHIPS
At 10 O'Clock the two ships started together
but the Minneapolis again came 20 fuii stop
eight miles below. The Coum Dia proceeded 10
sea and was soon lost 10 view. the other SHIPS
having continued. ,
when the squadron moved down the bay the
crowds on shore cheered and waved handker-
chiefs In patriotic farewell. All OF the varshlps
dipped their colors as they passed out The
ram Katah1in moved up from her hrst anchor-
q re after the departure Of the ships and Is lying
If the Government pier The training ship Al
81 600 the Minnea polls started again and at
dark was making FOR the Capes ~ high rate
Of speed. She probably overlook the other SHIPS
about o'clock. Il was learned later mat she
fouled the telegraph cable 10 Norfolk the !ast
time. and the delay due TO a desire not to
hurt the wires.
Virginia Beach. Va. April 13.-The Flying
Squadron would have been many miles from
land by dark had II not been that the Mime
apolls fouled her anchor chain and wasted over
two hours in efforts TO free 1t. Finally. when
near Cape Henry. the Minneapolis not having
Joined the others. Commodore Schey sent the
Columbia back to Fortress Monroe TO tell the
Minneapolis that she could find the rest or the
squadron fifteen miles east OF cape henry
where they would await her arrival.
BEYOND this fact none OF the ofhcers or men
on board the Brooklyn were aware. al o CLOCK.
OF her destination. and Commodore Schiey ds-
clIned To say what her mission was. The squad
ron presented imposing picture when IL
! finally got together. The vessels BOWED along
az a splendid speed. and Commodore Schley said
as he looked back on them from the bridge:
''Therc's n good lot OF lighters FOR YOU q IKE
TO soc ANYTHING that can whip them.
The Brooklyn had 5Oi men on board when
she LETT Fortress Monroe. four having gone
ashore because OF Illness.
II the cruise started to-day Is not practce
one. the first stop Will be made at bermuda