Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-04-22

would not leave Before sunrise, All
the officers We're requested to be on
board their ships ait 10 O'Clock, a pecu-
liar time which indicates that Commo-
dore Schley was eNpecting-if he had
mot already received notice to sail at
daybreak-phat orders would come at
any minute directing him to put to
sea AT nce.--------------- ---
There Wals much hnrrying to and fro
during the afternOoIl. -. Tn el fleet little
Launches We're buzzlng be.tween the
ships. and the shore with a frequency
THAT left no doubt that something un-
LAual was being prepared for, nnd
they did not suspend their trips until
the big Hgh ting machines almost dis
appeared from view in the da rkness.
Geaving only the g1imner OF their
lights to tell where they were lying.
Informatio concerning the destina-
ton Of the fleet when it shall leave
the waters of Hampton Roads, was
purely of a specula tive character last
might. Commodore Schqey is, of course,
the only person Who can throw any
light upon that subject. It's purpose
may be to intercept THE Spanish fleet
said to be assem- bling at Cape Verde
and prevent it from reaching Porto
Rico and the vicinity of Cuba in time
to interfere with bloclSading operations
around these islands. But no one
knows.
1t was said last light that wi Thin forty
eight hours the entrance to the capes
will have become a, net work of sub
marine mines and torpedoeS and that
so perfect will the system of destruc-
tion be that it would amount to an act
of suicide to attempt to force ship
into the bay. An extensive chain of
explosives have been laid from THE up
per end Of the Rip Hoaps in the direction
OF the government pier above the Hy-
geia Hotel Indeed 1t Is hard to tell
ND
been placed. Visitors who attempted
TO approach the little pier yesterday
afternoon We're turned back and eau
toned not to come again.
An Associated Press dispatch sent
out from Fort Monroe last night says:
beginning with the reception of the
first news bulletins from Washington
Z today, intense excitement prevailed
here, both on shore and among the
officers and men of the squadron.
While the general duties OF the day
were attended to as usual under the
strict discipline established by Com
modore Schley, there was an under,
current of feverishness that hurried
along things with suggestiveness:.
1.-THE officers who came ashore IN the
afternoon were notified that they must
report on board at 10 O'Clock by the
latest and that no all night shore
leaves would be granted The officers
Z of the Massachusetts were told that
they must report at $3.50 O'CLOCK on
board, when leave might be granted for
some few hours to see friends. These
two orders led to all sorts of rumors,
an annoying one being that he Mas
sachusetts had been detached. which
was promptly denied. At the hotels,
where many of the officers wives are
staying, there was great CONSERVATION,
1t being believed that the squadron
would sail before morning.
a O'clock after the recent of the
Associated Press bulletin that the
Key West feet had moved and the
further belletin that tbs Spanish be-
1ieved the ultimat,tm to be ii deciara-
ton of war. Commodore schley signall-
ed from the Brooklyn for all engines
to be coupled. The engires in port
are uncoupled and not usually coupled
until at sea, and the order was for the
evident intention Of making good
time If any or Ter was received. Ar
rangements were made for the tele-
graph stations on shore to remain
open all night to receive dispatches.
despite the strain on all nerves to-
night. men and officers ar, enthusiast
tic to degree and that was demon
strated when the torpedo boat Rodgers
stopped by the Brooklyn on her way
out to join the Key West squadron to
ask permission Of Commodore Schley
to proceed. The men locked to the
forecastles Of the vessels and cheered
heartily.
THE Rodgers went out once before,
but rubbed on sand par and slightly
injured her screw Will. the injury
was not severe it was thought best to
fix it and the work was completed to-
day She went out Of Hampton Roads
at a terrific rate
THE Golfers assigned to the squad
Z ron. the -Merrimac and the Saturn. are
not yet duire ready but may be in a
day. They are fast boats and can