The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-06-11
CONVOY FOR TROOP FLEET.
Sixteen Warships to Accompany
the TRANSPORTS to Cuba.

formidable American feet has been as
sembled, consisting of sixteen warships
of various classes, headed by the big
battleship Indiana, which for all
around effectiveness stands at the
head of the navy. The feet is assem-
bled at Port Tampa, and is to serve as
a convoy for the troop transports from
that port. The formation of this for
midable convoy fleet is due to the re-
ports, more or less indefinite, that
Spanish warships We're lurking between
Florida and Cuba, with n view of in
tercepting the troop transports.
In order to avoid the slightest posi-
bility of a dash by some Spanish ships
against the troop transports, this new
fleet of sixteen warships was determin-
ed upon. Whether it was ordered from
Washington or was due to the precau-
tionary measures of the officials in
command in the South. is not disclosed.
1t is known only that Commodore Re-
mey, in command of the naval base at
Key West. has brought together this
powerful fleet of conveys. 1t is strong
enough, both in number of ships and
size of individual ships and armament
to cope with any Spanish ships that
might be at large, and it entirely elm
mates any possible danger that might
attend the transporting of the army Of
invasion to Cuba.
Captain Taylor, who commands the
Indiana, is available as commander of
this squadron, although it is not dis
closed definitely who will be it's chief.
Commodore Watson is with the block
aiding fleet off Havana, and cannot
we'll be spared from that position,
;ol h. AH1 "
Notwithstanding the drafts made to
create this large convoy squadron.
Captain Taylor is regarded as one of
the most judicious and capable officers
in the service, and should the squadron
command fall on him it is felt that it
will be in able hands
The Indiana will probably be the
flagship Of the convoy squadron. There
probably will be other battleships but
| it is not deemed advisable for pruden-
tial reasons to give the full list The
Indiana is one of the most formida ole
ships afioat, being regarded by naval
| experts as superior, as a fighting ma
chine, to the ships of the Terrible class
| in the British navy. She has a dis
placement of 10,26S tons, and has a
| main battery of sixteen large guns, be-
sides many smaller rapid fire and ma
chine guns in her secondary battery.
| Her largest guns are of the 13-inch
class, four in number, mounted in tur-
| rets, two forward and two aft
| The desirability of forming this fleet
was suggested by information, coming
! through official channels, that Spanish
ships left Barcelona some days ago,
| bound for Cuban waters. This informa-
ton came to the State Department. 1t
| was to the effect that the ships in
Guided three Spanish warships and one
| transport. The information was re-
| garded as trustworthy. It was COM
municated to the Navy Department,
| and led to careful consideration A
| little later came the report from the
ships off Florida that suspicious look
ing vessels with military tops had been
| seen in the offing
These last reports We're received with
some credulity, but naval officers We're
| disposed to dismiss them as myths
But the better advised ones, knowing
| OF the reports as to the sailing of Span
| ish ships from Barcelona, looked upon
! the matter as one which should no1 be
considered too lightly. A single troop
| transport carrying no armor, might
| be at the mercy of some stray Spanish
| ship, and there was no purpose to haz-
ard the lives of 1900 men on any of
our ships when reports came from two
widely separated sources. one of them
quite in detail, of the approach of Span
4 ish ships.
| While it is inexpedient to give the
makeup of the convoy fleet. yet some
general idea may be given of the war
ships which may be drawn upon for
service. There are a number Of ships
which have been doing scout duty, and
/ others which have been held in reserve
While Commodore Watson's large
| blockading fleet in front Of Havana
| gives another source from which the
convoy fleet can be made up. The
fine auxiliary ships. like the Yale and
Harvard, with the torpedo boats. could
be used for scout duty, their swiftness
| permitting them to go far ahead as
pickets for the approaching fleet. The
smaller cruisers. gunboats and torpedo
| boats are also available. Some of the
ships which could be used with the
Indiana are the Helena. Bancroft
Marietta. Newport, Wilmington. Cas-
tine. Cincinnati. Detroit, Montgomery.
Annapolis. Vicksburg, Ericsson, Du-
| pont, Gushing and Foote
| AS stated, there is no desire to give
an exact list of the convoy squadron.
| but it merely indicates with what IA
cility the naval authorities can meet