Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-14
FLYING SOU ADR0N
1T SAILED FROM HAMPTON ROADS
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
GOT OFF in A HURRY.
Defamation Inknown; Hut II IN
Expected II VIII Join Admiral
SIMPSONS Flect-Nherc IN the
Texas :-Otfer Naval Notes.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. May 13-(spe-
cial)-Th flying squadron sailed from
Hampton Roads about o'clock this af-
ternoon. and II Dame Rumor is to be re-
lied upon. the next five days viii see
Commodore Schley in Cuban water as
sistng Admiral Sampson in what now
appears TO be a certain encounter with
the spanish feet.
Commodore Schley received his orders
az am early hour this morning to weigh
anchor at noon and proceed to sea under
sealed orders.
The experienced Virginia pilots who are
now i'm the permanent employ OF the
government were called aboard the ships
at 10 o'clock, and the summoning gun
Tor officers ashore was fired at the same
time. An hour later the all-aboard gun
was fired and every ship in the squadron
was ready TO sail.
At noon however, the expected signals
diI not appear at the masthead Of the
nagship and il was later learned that
Commodore Schley had received subg.-
quent orders TO wait for the auxiliary
chuiser 81. Paul, which is still at this
port.
Later in the afternoon. when it was
learned that the ST. Paul would not be
ready to accompany the fleet before
night, the flying squadron started 20
get ready. and at 3:l5 every anchor was
weighed and Schey made ready 10 obey
orders.
AT o'clock every ship had moved in
response 10 signals displayed above the
Brooklyn, and the squadron was off,
OF course. the destination Of the shins
are only 10 be surmised, but in view of
the numerous rumOrs that have been
coming in from Washington all day. it
seems likely that Commodore Schley will
next be heard from passing down the
Atlantic Coast on his way to Cuban
waters.
The whereabouts OF the Texas, which
set sail yesterday morning, are yet Il
mystery. 1t is believed by some that the
I trim little battleship has put wen out to
sea and viii take what is known as the
middle course south, in order to act as
an outguard for the squadron. The
Texas is capable OF making nearly
twenty knots, and i'm the event she sights
any Spanish warships will be able to
| either give battle or put in to the coast,
with the certainty Of meeting the squad
ron closer in shore.
Just why the ST. Paul has not sailed
is not known The general understand
| ing among those best informed At Old
| Point was 90 the effect that she would
accompany the squadron. II may be that
| she will follow tonight OF tomorrow.
| II so. she will have no trouble in over
hauling the squadron before tomorrow
night The ST. Paul is all ready to sail,
/ having taken on her supplies, coal, and
| ammunition.
Sailing orders for the Yosemite are eX-
! pected hourly now. About 400 men are
/ aboard. an ammunition and coal have
/ been taken on. and the naval reserves are
! anxious to get TO sea.
| The DiXies reserves will come over
I from Norfolk in the morning.
/ The fact that the Sterling. laden with
! 1000 tons of coal accompanied the squad
ron. indicates that it has gone TO meet
| the Spanish fleet from Cape Verde. The
arrival of the flying squadron will great
| ly strengthen Admiral SIMPSONS fleet,
/ enabling him to crush the Spanish war
\ ships i'm one decisive engagement.
/ There is another report in circulation
/ tonight that a fiotilla Of Spanish torpedo
boats has been sighted cruising along
! the Atlantic coast, and that the flying
! squadron has been ordered out TO inter
| cept the fleet and sink the boats, but an
officer from the St. Paul says no cred
ence should be placed in the rumor.