Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-12
FROM NEWPORT NEWS
THE FLYING SQUADRON READY TO
SAIL AT ANY MOMENT.
EASTER At OLD POINT COMFORT
Several Thousand People View the
Flect-AdditiOns TO Our Navy-A
Government Collier The EIISs'
Bazaar Opened Last Night.
Flcct-Addit
Govern nncnt

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, April li.-(Spe-
cial.)-The flying squadron, now lying OFF
Old Point with its full strength, has re-
celved orders to be ready to sail imme-
diately on the receipt of subsequent in
structions from Washington. This infor-
nation comes from reliable source, and
cannot be doubted. The orders were
probably sent, so that the flying squad
ron should be in position to get under
way just as soon as the governments
course in the present situation shc-ild be
determined.
All of the officers ashore were sum-
moned aboard the ships this morning
and the ship chambers who have the con-
tracts 10 provision the vessels were noti-
fed to have all of their orders filed not
later than o'clock this afternoon.
These men have been busy all day, and
many boat-loads of provisions were sent
out to the warships from the government
pier at Old Point.
There is considerable excitement at Old
Point, as a result OF the orders received
at Washington and the departure of the
lead-colored warships. in the event sail
ing orders are received to-day, viii doubt
less be witnessed by large crowd.
EASTER AT OLD POINT.
Easter Sunday was a red-letter day at
Old Point Comfort, several thousand peo-
pie coming from near by and distant
cities especially for the purpose of OBJ
tanning a view Of the crack floating
fortresses which compose Commodore
Schley's flying squadron.
The day aboard the ships would have
been exceedingly uninteresting but for
the number Of visitors who took advan-
tage of the usual Sunday laxity with
which orders were enforced to see the
sights behind the armOred walls of Uncle
Sans fine warships. now thoroughly
stripped for action and ready to engage
I'm conflict at the command None Of the
ships Nave changed positions, and the
Massachusetts. which arrived at Old
Point on Saturday from Newport News
is now anchored in second place directly
behind the flagship Brooklyn, which still
heads the column.
The Massachusetts IS doing guard duty
to-day and tonight for the entire squad
ron.
THE CRUISER NEW YORK.
1t has been reported that the Massa-
chusetts would be replaced in Commodore
Schey's command by the cruiser New
York, sister ship to the Brooklyn, which
is now doing duty as the flagship of the
North Atlantic squadron at Key West
An officer from the Brooklyn denied this
report to-day concerning which he spoke
as follows:
1--WE do not need the New York and we
do need the Massachusetts. even though
she is noe as speedy as the cruiser Cap
tain Sampson now has two battleships
I'm his command, the Iowa and the In
diana, and will soon have n third. the
Oregon You can say that the Massachu-
sets will not be detached from the flying
squadron with the approval of Commo-
dore Schley. You need not be surprised,
however. to hear tnat the New York has
been ordered 20 join the squadron in
case we go South, and then make for the
Canarios."
TIIE YOSEMITE.
The Morgan Line steamship IL sud,
which has been renamed the Yosemite,
arrived at the ship-yard yesterday morn
ing at $3.50 o'clock, directly from New
York. to be converted into an armored
auxiliary cruiser Of the first class. The
work Of remodelling the vessel was COM
menced to-day and her gun mounts are
now being placed in position.
The FL Rio IS expected at the yard on
Friday or Saturday, and the other ships
Of the Morgan Line Will follow in rapid
succession.
Work on the Cromwell liner Creole, now
the hospital ship Solace, is being rushed
10 completion. and the prospects are that
she will be able to leave the yard within
the next week. She is now In the dry
dock.
Senator Proctor. who, accompanied by
Baron Lichtenfelde, the Belgian Minister
at Washington. arrived at Old Point Sa-
turday left last night by boat for Wash
ington. The Baron returned tonight.
The Naval Enlisting Board from Ports
mouth navy-yard has succeeded in en-
listing only three men of the Creole'S
crew.
The Spanish steamship Palentino, which
arrived here yesterday for coal, sailed
hurriedly this morning.
FROM HABANA HARBOR.
The tug Underwater and the barge
Lone star, which were purchased by the
government and sent TO Habana 10 re-
move servceable parts of the Maine
wreck, arrived here yesterday morning
from Habana harbor, and are now in
quarantine i'm the river The Lone star
is loaded with wreckage. The ships VIII
be required 10 remain in quarantine Tor
ten days, according to the State law, as
they come from an infected port
The steamer New York, of the New
York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk railroad
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