The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-18
Battle Ships and Fast Cruisers to he
Brought North and Monitors
Sent to Florida Waters.
LONG TRIP FOR THE OREGON
POWERFUL SHIP EN- ROUTE FROM
THE PACIFIC TO KEY WEST.
Proposed Reorganization of the Army
Day-Fast Torpedo Destroyer.


WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE event of
the day in official circles was the issue of
an order for the formation of a new squad
ron of naval vessels to be stationed at
Hampton Roads. The squadron in the be-
ginning will consist of five ships, all the
best of their types, Two of thenl-the bat
tie ships Massachusetts and Texas-are
withdrawn from the present North Atlantic
fleet at Key West and Tortugas. In order
ing this movement the Navy Department Is
not animated by any purpose of yielding to
representations or intimations that may
have come from the Spanish minister. On
the contrary, the formation of the new
squadron was brought about by purely
strategic considerations, although it ap-
pears from the nature of the force so far
under orders to redenzvous at Hampton
Roads that this strategy is of the defensive
nature. The new squadron cannot be called
Flying squadron" because the associa-
tion of heavy battle ships with fleet cruisers
like the Brooklyn, Columbia and Minneapo-
lis reduces the available speed of the whole
to the speed of the slowest vessel, ard the
squadron could not do much flying in the
naval sense. The indications rather are
that, when reinforced by some smaller
cruisers, the squadron will constitute an
ideal naval defense.
For the past two months influences have
been at work in the Navy Department to
bring about this change, and as the policy
board, headed by Captain Crowninshield,
has been in frequent session of late at the
department, it is believed that it has in
dorsed the plan at last. Although the other
ships to be added to the squadron have not
yet been definitely selected, it is surmised
that they will include some Of the other
battle ships at Key West and the armored
cruiser New York, in which case Admiral
Sicard, it is believed will command the new
force In place of the cruiser New York
the people of Key West will look upon the
grim outlines Of the big monitor Puritan
supposedly the most powerful ship in
smooth water in the world. She will have
to assist her on guard the double turreted
monitor Miantonomah and the monitor
Amphitrite. The Puritan is now at Nor
folk, almost ready for sea; the Miantono-
nah is at League island, quite ready, and
so is the Amphitrite at Port Royal, 8. c.
So the order in the end will result in the
gathering Of the pick of the North Atlantic
squadron at Hampton Roads.
Hampton Roads is said to be the best
strategic point on the Atlantic coast. 1t is
almost centrally located and the ships from
that point can reach any portion of the
coast in short order which is regarded as
desirable, since no one can tell just where
fotilla of torpedo destroyers or a fast
cruiser may turn up with hostile intent to
attack a town. Besides, the second best
navy yard in the country is there to fall
back upon for repairs to the ships; plenty
fIa hast o1 fc ofK 81
is easy water to navigate, and finally, the
forts at Hampton Roads may serve as a
base of operations in case of need for pro-
lection. These are the considerations which
animated the Navy Department in making
this new order 1t is announced that the
commander of the new squadron has not
tion or the arrival in port of Admiral
Sicard, it is expected that Captain Higgin-
son, the commander of the battle ship Mas
sachusetts and the senior officer, will hold
the command of the squadron
Remaining at Key West after the de-
parture of the Massachusetts and the
Texas, Admiral Sicard will still have fleet
of his own in numbers, when the spectacle
will be presented of fleet and squadron
on one station, something not seen since
the civil war. The monitors which it is de-
signed to send to Key West are said to be
well fitted for the service. Owing to their
light draught Of from fifteen to sixteen feet,
they will be able to navigate safely the
shallow waters of the Florida coast, and
will not be obliged like the Iowa, to lie six
miles out at sea from Key West to secure
enough water under her keel. The gum
boat Helena reported to the department
that she had sailed to-day from Funchal,
Madeira, for Key West to Join the squad
ron.
1t is now said that it has been definitely
determined to bring the battle ship Oregon
around South America to Key West. The
Navy Department has issued orders that
such trial as may be made of the new tor
pedo boat Rodgers shall take place while
the boat is under way Saturday next from
Baltimore to Norfolk. She also will go
southwark to join the fotilla at Key West.
The Columbia and Minneapolis are still each
26O men short Of their full quota, but it is
expected that enough men will be secured
in the course of few days to enable the
ships to be sent to Hampton Roads to exc
cute the orders issued to-day. The naval
recruiting officers in the South are meet
ing with success at New Orleans Yester-
day they secured forty men, who were well
fitted professionally for the navy.
The first disbursement under the recent
act of Congress appropriating $50,OOO,0OO for
the national defense has been made by the
Treasury Department en- an executive or
der for a3O.OOO. or $145.s95, to be cabled to
London to the credit of Sir William Arm
strong in part payment for twelve rapid
fire guns. including mounts and ammuni-
ton. The purchase price including mounts.
etc. Is 1000 for each gun, or $4,000 for
the twelve. In addition TO this payment the
Treasury Department to-norrcw will cable