The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-04-16
Promise 10 Show Up Well in a
Battle.
GREAT WORK WITH GUNS.
Flag Cut From the Top Of Target In
Twenty Minutes.

Il oTl MONROE va, Apfli l0.-Ine Ancr~s
lean flying squadron, the departure OF
which caused so much excitement on
Wednesday. returned to-day to anchorage
at Fort Monroe. after having completed
two days and two nights of arduous La
Dor with satisfaction to Commodore
Schley.
Commodore Schley wanted the captains
of the fleet to know each other in ths
movement OF their vessels, and to be able
to answer quickly to all signals for moves
ments liable to be made in case of a fight.
Running down TO Cape Henry on Wednes-
day afternoon, the squadron was taken ff-
teen miles out to sea, at the same time
maneuvcring in response to the signals
from the flagship
| All of the big vessels responded quickly,
the exceedingly heavy battleshlps Massa-
chusetts and Texas being especially and
surprisingly quick
Line OF battle was formed, with the
Brooklyn on the right the Massachusetts
to the left OF the Brooklyn, the Minneap-
oils to the left OF the Massachusetts, the
Columbia next and the Texas on the ex-
treme left, acting as guide. The signal to
anchor in line was obeyed so well that
almost perfect alignment was made. An
chorage was made on Wednesday night
fifteen miles east of Cape Charles ;ights
and near the old drill ground.
Thursday morning found very unfavor-
able conditions for either maneuvering or
using the guns, the weather being intense
ly disagreeable with heavy rain and hall
storm and high seq, but Commodore
Schley decided TO go out and began the
maneuvers. The Massachusetts dipped her
low nose In the wafer time after time, TAX
ing up tons OF water. but was handled
beautifully, coming up to alignment or
circling about to right or left more quick
ly than a light cruiser
The other vessels also were quick to re-
spond 10 signal. This drill was kept up
all day and at nightfall anchorage was
made at point thirteen miles from Cape
Charles. After dark signal work by elec-
trio lights was praeticed for two hours.
AT . o'clock, when most OF the officers
and men had prepared 10 retire, the cali
to quarters and battle calls were sounded.
on the Brooklyn so quickly was the worz
done that every division officer had re-
ported ready in four minutes, and the
ship was ready for battle, with water
tight compartments closed, ammunitior
holsted 10 guns, turrets swinging. battle
matches down and the crews at the guns
ready to shoot. The other ships reported
almost as quickly.
Friday morning was given up to practice
~ al
gets at 800 yards The gunners on the
Brooklyn cut the flag from the top OF their
target within twenty minutes. remarka-
BILE work when il is considered that the
target was but eighteen inches square
and the Flagstaff but two inches wide.
At o'clock the ships were signalled by
Commodore Schley to head for Hampton
Roads for anchorage, with the exception
of the Texas, which was ordered to remain
and try her big guns and improved tur-
rets with golid shot. The rest OF the squad
ron anchored off Fort Monroe at about
O'Clock.
Commodore Schley expressed himself az
very much pleased with the work of the
captains of the vessels under his charge.
The maneuvers of the boats and the work
Of the crews at the guns were both highly
pleasing. He called particular attention
to The rapidity with which the battle call
ed to. He also called attention to tho
target practice of the rapid fire guns, say
ing: 81 don't think any torpedo boat
would live under that fire."
The Texas ran into Hampton Roads
about O'Clock and Joined the squadron.
Capt Philips said that the new turret ar
rangement had worked with great satis-
faction and that the big guns could be
loaded by Lieut. Haeseler's new automatic
arrangement at any angle and very quick
ly. He could fire more than twice as many
shots now, he said than under the old
arrangement.
The Columbia and Minneapolis went up
to Newport News tonight after coal. so
as to FIJI up their bunkers replacing that
used to-day.
Commodore Schley is very much pleased
with the skilful way, in which the new
crews OF the Minneapolis and Columbia
obeyed signals. The boats are large and
require much room TO turn In. but Capts.
Jewell and Sands were both warmly COM
mended. The Brooklyn In anchoring to-
night lost one of her big achors, the chain
breaking. The Norfolk navy yard people
will recover IL