New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-19
YOSEMITE GONE TO SEA.
ONLY OUT FOR TARGET PRACTICE FOR A
SHORT TIME
WORK HURRIED ON THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
MINES SAID TO BE AFIoAT IN HAMPTON
ROADs-MORE PROTECTION AT


Newport News. Va, May 1S-The auxiliary
,rpser Yosemite weighed anchor at 1925 o'clock
this morning and put to sea- and Cape
Henry reported Commander Emory's ship pass
ing out at II 80
The Yosemite has only gone temporarily 10
engage in target practice and test her work
Ing and fighting gear. There are only few
perenced gunners aboard. as the Michigan
Naval Reserves know practically nothing about
the handling OF modern guns. The cruiser will
return 10 Hampton Roads Tomorrow.
The cruiser New-Orleans which dropped down
nearer the Capes. did not go out until daybreak
this morning. 1t reported this afternoon
from Old Point that Captain Folgers ship was
etll in the Roads, but It was later learned that
the New orleans was well clear of the Capes.
Where the New Orleans is going cannot. OF
course be ascertained but the ship chambers.
who furnished the vessel with supplies. incline TO
the belief that she Is out on scout duty.
Captain Abbott. master Of the British steam
ship Lady Armstrong, which arrived this morn
ing from Galveston. on her way TO Marseilles.
reports having passed American warship
well outside the Virginia Capes. He also passed
the Flying Squadron going south. He was
stopped by small armored ship. presumably
the Scorpion. but was not boarded. the naval
officer evidently being satisfied with the ships
name and flag.
DIXIE ORDERED TO OLD POINT.
Commander Davis. Of the cruiser Dixie. re-
ceived orders this morning to take his ship down
10 Old Point tonight, but as his supplies are
not aboard he will be obliged TO remain at the
shipyard. The Dixie and the Newark are the
only warships inside the Capes. The seeming
purpose Of the Department 10 send all the ships
to the coast is taken by some TO indicate the
necessity of their presence on the Atlantic In
formation comes from the Navy Yard that or
ders have been given to have the Newark ready
for sea by Sunday night at the latest Large
forces are working on the cruiser day and night
since the receipt Of the order. but the yard off,
cials have no hope that the Newark can get
away for ten days, even though night work Is
continued.
There is a story at Old Point and Fort Mon
roe. which. If true. will cause the United states
engineers who are furthering the work OF laying
submarine mines in Hampton Roads no end OF
inconvenience and delay. and render all ships.
even those Of the Navy. liable TO destruction by
stray mines. The report is 10 the erect tha'
malicious attempt made either MONDAY OF
Tuesday night to sever many OF the caoles ~
which are attached the submarine mines re-
Gently planted for the protection OF all cities ap-
nroached by way Of the two Virginia capes
According 20 this report which comes from
source that has hitherto proven trustworthy the
ATTEMPT was partially successful, the cables
stretching from Fort Monroe TO the nleIiila
capes. In loop square. having been CUT IN three
nlaces AS consequence, ii is SAID, there arr
now three stray mines in Hampton Roaos' VIII
out restraint in a loop. and with only can ouoS
attached Another story is to the erect tia' o,.e
anchor chains were severed and the mines aIc
now being driven about by the waves heiu up
by the can buoys
ARE THE MINES AFLOAT?
II is impossible TO confirm this story. The
Tribune correspondent went to Old Point thls
evening to- interview Captain Casey. comn'ahu
,ngffSGhfgfneer Corps in charge Of all WORK on
the roioss but the captain could not be io"hu'
Several engineers seen. but they knew"
nothing beyond the fact that the rumor was
afioans' The report is current about the FORT
a.rt--rany believe the story II there are stray
Ynisesst hampton Roads no vessels are sur
WhaA e S+1W the channel would be a death trap
for ffiend'as we'll as foe. The strctest vlgnance
is being displayed at the fort TO Keep ln'ruoe's
Af,er an hours effort to enter the lines to-day
The Tribune correspondent finally managed 70
get a pass to stroll down the residence s,rip o.
land which has always been open 10 VISITORS
Almost directly in front of the vine-covered cot
tage just without the fort, which is occupied py
Mrs Evans wife Of Fighting BOD Evans, OF
the Iowa and Mrs Taylor. wife Of Captain ray
Tor of the Indiana. stretches long line OF red
tipped buoys At the bottom Of each buoy is
submarine mine. . ,
ernplacernent Of concrete and sand, inside OF
which a rapid-hre rife s being mounted TO re-
pulse landing parties and protect the mines from
inolestafion Three more disappearing gun car
riages arrived at the fort to-day, and were
placed in position In the auxiliary battery. The
rifles are all ready TO be mounted. Eight hun
dred protectiles arrived to-day from Petersburg.
The boilers FOR the Kearsarge and the Kentucky
were hoisted aboard the batte-ships to-day.
There are also evidences to-day OF the upper
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