New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-16
FLYING SQUADRON DRILLED.
BATTLE-sHIPs AND CRUISERS MANEU-
VRED AT SEA
LINE or BATTLE FORMED AND SHIPS CLEARED
FOR AcrroN-sPLENpID WORK DONE WITH
BIG GUNs-coMMoDoRE scHLEY
GREATLY PLEASED.

Fortress Monroe. Va. April 1.-THE Flying
Squadron. the departure Of which caused so
much excitement Wednesday. returned to-
day to anchorage Fortress Monroe. after hav-
ing completed two days and two nights Of ardu-
Gus labor. with satisfaction to its commanding
officer Commodore Schey wanted the captains
Of the feet to know each other in the move
ment Of their vessels. and to be able TO answer
quickly to all signals for movements likely to
be made in an engagement Running down TO
Cape Henry on Wednesday afternoon. the
squadron was taken fifteen miles out to sea. a;
the same time manpuvrng in response to the
signals from the flagship
All Of the big vessels responded quickly. the
heavy battIe-ships Massachusetts, and Texas
being especially and surprisingly quick. Line
OF battle was formed with the Brooklyn on the
right. tho Massachusetts to the left Of the
Brooklyn. the Minneapolis to the left Of the
Massachusetts,. the Columbia next and tho
Texas on the extreme left The signal to
anchor in line was obeyed so we'll that al
most perfect alignment was obtained Anchor
age made Wednesday night fifteen miles
east Of Cape Charles light. near the Southern
drill ground
Thursday morning found very unfavorable
conditions FOR either manpuvring or using the
guns, the weather being intensel- disagreeabIe
with heavy rain and hail storm and high
sea but Commodore Schey decided to go out
and begin the manpuvring. The Mdssachu-
sets dipped her low nose in the water time
after time. taking uo tons Of water. but was
handled beautifuny. coming up to alignment
circing more quickly than light cruiser
The other vessels also were quick to respond
10 signals. The drill was kept up all day. and
az nightfall anchorage was made at point
thirteen miles from Cape Charles. After dark
signal work by electric light practised for
two hours.
QUICK RESPONSE TO BATTLE CALLS
At o o'clock when most Of the officers and
men had prepared to retire. the cali TO quarters
and battle calls sounded. on the Brook
Ign quickly the work done that every
division officer had reported ready" in four
minutes and the ship ready for battle. with
water-tight compartments closed ammunition
hOisted to guns, turretS swinging. battle
matches down and the at the guns ready
to shoot. The other ships reported almost as
quickly Friday morning was given up TO
practice at the guns. all the ships putting out
targets at eight hundred Yards. The gunners
on the Brooklyn cut the flag from the top OF
their target within twenty minutes. remarka-
bic work. when II is considered that the target
only eighteen inches square and the flag
STAFF only two inches wide.
At o'clock the ships We're signalled by Com.
modore Schey TO head for Hampton Roads for
anchorage, with the exception or the texas,
which was ordered 70 remain out and try her
big guns and improved turrets with solid shot.
The res, ~ the squadron anchored off Fortress
Monroe at about = O'Clock
COMMODORE sCHLEY PLEASED
Commodore schley expressed himself az much
pleased with the work Of the captains Of the
vessels under his charge. The manGuvres Of
the boats and the work ~ the crews At the
guns were both highly pleasing. lie called par
ticular attention 10 the rapidity with which the
call TO quarters the Brooklyn was respond
cd to- He also called attention 10 the target
practice Of the rapd-fire guns saying: Il don't
think any torpedo-bO boat would live under that
fire"
The Texas ran into Hampton Roads about
O'Clock and Joined the squadron. Captain Philip
said that the new turret ARRANGEMENT had
worked satisfactorily. and the big guns could
he loaded by Lieutenant Haeslers new auto
matte arrangement at any angle and very
quickly lie could fire more than twice as many
shots now. he said. as under the old English
arrangement.
The Columbia and the Minneapolis went up 10
Newport News tonight after coal so as 10 fill
up their bunkers. replacing that used to-day.
Commodore Schley is greatly pleased with the
skilful way In which the new crews OF the
Minneapolis and the Columbia obeyed signals.
The boats large and require much room 10
turn In but Captains Jewell and Sands were
both warmly commended.
The Brooklyn in anchoring tonight lost one
Of her big anchors. the chain breaking. The
Norfolk Navy Yard people will recover It.
CROWDS TO WELCOME THE RETURN
THE COLUMBIA AND THE MrNNEAPorls CoAILNG
STRICT DISCIPLINE on BOARD-AN AMERICAN
FLAG on THE v1ZcAYA HAULED Down
Old Point Comfort April II (SreciaD-The
massage OF the Flying Squadron inside the Nir-
ginia Capes was heralded early in the after
noon and when the grim-looking monsters hove
in sight a large crowd collected on the piers and
hreakwater to welcome their return.
The flagship on the right OF the column
in the lead the Massachusetts he Minneapolis
and the Columbia following in order. and the
Texas bringing up the left When the ships
slowed down Trey retained relatively the same
positions they occupied before, probably more
punched II anything. and nearer in shore
At go o'clock the Minneapolis weighed an