The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-23

Puritan and Helena joined in the cam
descent conversation and soon the skies
were Kaleidoscope as ship after ship
answered New lights licked of messages
fraught with the gravest import and crea-
tive of history. What the words were OF
course no one ashore knew, but the few
who watched with straining eyes from sea
and docks needed no interpreter TO tell that
1t meant hostile action
The message was not long In delivery. but
sunrise had fully come as the last letter
fiickered and went out. Then the witnesses
saw that the movement had actually begun
under cover OF the night. The big ships
could still be discerned in the distance but
the others had moved towards them, the
flagship drawing other ships of the squad
ron to her. The Wilmington and Amphi-
trite had slipped from their anchorage and
advanced within hailing distance of the
flagship. II was just SAP o'clock when the
New York, without unnecessary display,
moved pompously and slowly toward the
cutter waters Of the gulf. The red light
lowing fleet and told them TO get in motion
at last. To those ashore II looked as II the
New York was somewhat in advance of the
line with the Iowa and Indiana following
on either side, but separated from her by
a good stretch of water. As the line ad-
vanced toward the horizon the ships spread
out until perhaps there was a distance of
three miles between the tips of the crescent.
The ships of the inner harbor had slipped
out one by one and stopped at various sta
tions until the entire formation was ready
to move
The exact order of the ships could not
be ascertained from the shore. From the
highest point in Key West the line was
semi-circular. The ships that followed the
three leaders were the cruisers Cincinnati
and Nashville, the gunboats Wilmington,
Castine. Machias, Newport. the monitors
Amphtirite. the Mayflower and torpedo
boats Dupont. Porter, Winslow and Ferret:
Why the powerful monitors Puritan and
Terror did not accompany the fleet could
not officially be learned, but 1t is said they
may follow shortly. The Marblehead is TAX
inc ataV md mill lace niF1 hn
squadron in a day or two. The Fern went
to Tampa for ammunition for the fleet and
will carry it to Havana If that is its des-
tination
When Key West awoke it was cry of
wolf story again. Bedtime left the situation
no different than it has been for weeks past
frequent and unfounded that 1t lacked
credulity this morning until the town found
puissant visitors. But the terrible tension of
those waiting days is past and all ears
are now strained for the thunder of guns
which will tell that the real and long
awaited crisis is at hand at least.
The departure of the fleet, as viewed from
the harbor, was not so imposing as had
been anticipated. On the contrary there was
something of a scramble in getting away.
When all was ready the flagship New York
swung around and came well into the har-
Dor, signaling to the other ships about to
sail. After receiving responses, she turned
and headed for the open sea with the Iowa
and the Indiana closely in her rear. The In
gas, but was cabled for, and at midnight
she Joined her two sister ships at the an
chorage held by the three while in the har-
bor The gunboat Machias lay nearest TO
the three big war ships, and was first to
swing her bulk into line. She was followed
by by the s,.; Newport, which lay outside OF the
was the leader. She numbered along after
the Machias, her immense guns stretching
above her low free board. She was the first
of the monitors to join the war-like pro-
cession, looking the deadly instrument she
is. Then came the Nashville. her three
smokestacks distinguishing her from the
others, with the guAboat Wilmington pump
ing alongside. The Qastine. which was next.
little compared with the other members of
bloody work, should the fortunes of war
demand. The Cincinnati was delayed lit
tie time, as she was in the act of taking
coal from schooner off Fort Taylor when
the signal to sail was given. But she got
into the jagged line. The other ships of the
Meet followed in navy mathematical forma-
Mayfower brought up the rear of the
parade apdSswas one of the last to fade
to view. Ene torpedo boats did not start
until clock, when most Of the line was
under way, but as if to exhibit their capa-
bilities. they darted ahead and were lost
from sight in the forward group,
The monitors Puritan and Terror lay
side by side coaling from a large barge
which was between them their decks
crowded with officers and blue jackets OBJ
serving the naval pageant. 1t is believed
the two monitors are to follow the rest of
the squadron. Following the floating forts
was the fleet of newspaper dispatch boats,
numbering about twenty. Three expert Gu
ban pilots accompanied the fleet.
The monitor Puritan is taking on coal and
w5te~, and will sail join the fleet to-
night. On excellent authority it is reported
that the destination of the fleet is Matan-
anguren, brother of the late Brig Gen Mes
tor Aranguren. He will pilot the fleet to
Matanzas. The Cuban pilots went on board
last night after IL o'clock The Detroit
sailed to join the feet this afternoon. II is
believed that one or two ships will be left
here, at least temporarily.