Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-04-26
MARINES OFF TO KEY WEST
Transport Panther Sails From Fort Monroe
This Morning.
She Will Be Escorted by the Mont.
gomery and Vicl<sburg-Great
Enthusiasm I'm the Fleet.

ON BOARD FLAGSHIP BROOKLYN
OFF FORT MONROE. April 26.-The
stirring incidents Of this morning
in Hampton Roads made mems
blood leap in their veins and enthusiasm
bell up to fever heat. Shortly before s
o'clock one Of the little guard boats that
the government will use hereafter to con-
duct friendly steamers through the lines
OF mines and torpedoes shot of to the
ncrth and the signal man on the after
bridge of the flagship almost Simultaneous
ly called. Cruiser Montgomery approach
trg. SIR" Sweeping along at rapid rate,
her beautiful lines showing up well in the
Quaker gray paint, the cruiser came down
the roads preceded by the little picket boat
guiding her between the dangerous lines
of explosives.
When near the Brooklyn salute was
fired to Commodore Schley and returned
by the flagship. Then the transport
Panther, with it's 800 men, raised anchor,
and with the formidable cruiser as escort
started for sea. 1t was then that enthu-
sasm broke out. The marines the
transport crowded the decks in long lines
and waving their hats gave mighty cheers,
while sailors. marines, even firemen on
the big warships, crowded to the forecastles
and returned them with will
The men on the Montgomery joined in the
chorus and the cheers resounded from ship
to ship, continuing until transport and con-
voy were out of hail. Hardly had the pair
gone than a booming afar off announced
another approach, and the gunboat Vicks-
burg came along on her way out, firing
salute to the commodores flag. The flag
ship doomed a seven-gun answer and then
the men on the Vicksburg swarmed into
the rigging and almost lost their hats in
their enthusiasm. Each ship of the squad
ron returned the cheer with will and men
went back to their duties with an aching
desire to follow the ships out.
The Panther goes out, with splendid pro-
lection, on her journey to Key West, the
convoy being large and able to care for
anything, while all along her route are
strewn active and formidable members of
the mosquito fleet.
The orders for the closing up Of the har-
Dor here after sunset and until sunrise goes
into effect fully tonight. Captain Casey,
chief Of engineers, U. s. A, has issued an
order which says: mo vessel will be al
lowed to pass through the channel on either
side of the Rip Raps between the hours Of
sunset and sunrise.
During this interval vessels must not
approach within three miles Of Fort Mon
roe. Patrol boats will be placed above and
below the defenses. These boats are. au-
thorized to stop vessels to inquire into their
character or to instruct them how to pass
through the mine fields. The orders of the
patrol boats must be strictly obeyed. Sail
ing vessels and all small vessels drawing
three feet or less can safely pass through
any part of the channel during the day
time. Steam vessels must pass at slow
speed through special channel, which will
be marked by buoys. No vessel will be al
lowed to anchor below the wharf at Fort
Monroe without special authority. Vessels
are warned that if they disregard these
regulations they will expose themselves to
serious damage and will be liable to be
fired on by the batteries"