Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-07
AMONG WAR VESSELS
THE MOVEMENTS OF OUR GRIM
GUNBOATs NEAR NEWPORT NEWS.
NO CHANGE IN THEIR POSITIONS,
The Brooklyn, Minneapolis, and
Columbia Lined Up on Old Point
prcpnrottons for UostiIities-Our
Purchase of Auxiliary Cruisers.
Minneapolis, and
Preparations

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, April 6-(Spe-
cial)-There has been no change to-day
in the positions of the vessels Of the fly
ing squadron The Massachusetts, is still
anchored in the James off the city, and
the Brooklyn, Minneapolis, and Columbia
are lined up in Hampton Roads Off Old
Point.
The divers working on the Massachu-
sets bottom, il is understood, finished
their work last evening. and it was re-
ported that the big battleship would
weigh anchor his morning and join the
rest of the ships at Old Point. She is un-
der steam and ready to sail, but at what
hour is not known. Captain Higginson Is
awaiting orders from Commodore Schley,
who in turn will make no move whatever
until he hears from Washington.
The Brooklyn, Minneapolis, and Column
bia are lined up in full view of the hum
dreds Of guests at the hotels. The former
occupies anchorage directly off the corner
of the ramparts of Fort Monroe, and is
the nearest OF the three cruisers TO the
canes. The Minneapolis is anchored be-
tween the Brooklyn and Columbia, the
latter being directly off the government
pier.
MINNEAPOLIS HALF PAINTED.
The Minneapolis is only half painted
her freeboard still retaining the charac-
teristic white color Of the North Atlantic
Souadron. The woodwork around the
lighthouses on the Brooklyn and Min
neapolis has not been removed, notwitn-
standing reports sent out from TINS CITY
! and Fort Monroe The Columbia did guard
duty for the squadron last night.
The flying squadron is hourly expecting
! orders to put to sea. All the ships have
steam up. and can weigh anchor at al
| most a moments notice. The brooklyn
! contrary to expectations. will not go Out
on her test trip until definite news Is re-
| ceived from Washington.
The Seaboard AIRLINE Float No. D.
/ which arrived from the Portsmouth
navy-yard at Old Point early yesterday
morning with forty-two buoy-cans Tor the
| submarine mines, which are TO be laid ~
! Hampton Roads between Fort Mohro,
! and Capes Henry and Charles Is sun
| moored 10 the government wharf. directly
| i'm the slip on the Chambcrlin Hotel side.
II was thought at Old Point that the
| float would be towed this morning TO the
/ canes. by the government tug Nahneta
! which nut up at Hampton for the night
but now it is impossible 10 learn JUST
| what time it will leave on its important
/ mission.
.iHE STEAMSHIP NINA.
! The Anelo-American Gable Company
steamship Nina. which arrived yester'
| dav from Key West, where IT laid tor
nedo and submarine mine cables for the
| government. is still anchored i'm the ROADS
| near the Columbia. She Will lay the
mines and attach them 10 the cables.
The impression that the float brought
loaded mines from Portsmouth Is a mis-
taken one. Many newspaper correspond
ents who are stopping at the Old Pom
hotels sent out stories 10 that effect las
night. The loaded mines are secreted with
I'm the walls Of Fort Monroe, and are
taken out to sea as soon as needed.
UNCLE SANS PURCHASES.
The denial of the report that the gov
eminent had not purchased the magnih
cent passenger steamers Of the Ola DO
ninion line was received here with feel
ines of pleasure. 1t seems probable, now
ever. that the Morgan Liners I'll Norte
| El Rio. III Sud, and FL Sol Will pass lnt'
| tho hands of Uncle Sam to be used a'
auxiliary cruisers. All Of these. with tn
/ exception Of the FL Sol, were built by TN
Newport News Ship Building and Dry
| Dock Company I'm 1892 and 1888. Ihey arr
the speemest and most handsomely-htte'
passenger vessels in the traffic between
| New Orleans and New York.
1t is learned on authority that IN,
| Cromwell Line steamship Creole, whicl
is now en- route 10 the local ship-yard' q
be converted into a hospital ship, will b
assigned to the North Atlantic Squadron
AT Key West in the event Of hostiities.
The officers Of the ships now lying
! old Point look forward to the arrival o
the dynamite cruiser Vesuvlus from tn
! Portsmouth navy-yard with more genu
inc feelings OF JOY than any other shil
vet to Join the flying squadron, not evei
| excluding the battleship Texas. say tor
pedo-boats TO the naval officers, and the!
! nuicLlv think of the great addition tn
DESTROYER Vesuviu, will be TO their squad
ron.