New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-13

STIRRING DAYS AT FORTRESS MONROE
PREPARATIONS FOR TIE FLYING sorApRoNs
ACTION III MoRs OF THE HoUR-"REMEM-
BIER TEE MAINE" TIE wATCHwcRD.
Fortress Monroe. Va. April II (SpecaD There
is much subdued excitement among the per-
sonnet Of the officers and crews OF the Flying
Squadron over the possibilities Of the situation.
These are stirring days at Fortress Monroe. Ths
sedate and BUSY officers. the grim ships CIV
Ing no sign OF power. yet ready 10 strike at tho
ringing OF the alarm gong. the anxious wives
ana mothers, the gay scenes at the hotels tns
busy boats. the greetings and farewells. a0
elements OF tho daily life here. which impress
every one with its reality and depth OF feeling
The Flying Squadron looks grim and business
like The ships are gray, and have been
stripped OF everything likely to be IN the way.
All except service" uniforms have been sent
on shore or slowed away in the holds or store
rooms. Valuabes have been sent home. Traps
Of all kinds have been DISPOSED Of.
The Flying Squadron has queer makeup
II is thought possible that all the ships may nN
move together. There is some talk 10 the ef'
feet that the huge Massachusetts, the slugs~
OF the feet" as Commodore Schley calls II
would be left behind il a speedy blow were 70
ba struck. Yet the John L. Sullivan OF tho
days. The Texas would run out Of coal De-
fore crossing the Atlantic and can sail only ono
knot faster than the Massachusetts. which can
maintain Itself under steam for five thousahe
miles. II the Spanish cruisers were 10 be met
the Massachusetts, and the Texas would be o.
immense value. woman whose hushanu y
serving on one OF the battle-ships was piquss,
at the suggestion that these powerful pu'
slower vessels might be left behind In case OF :
descent upon the Canares or Porto Rico, any
said the other day TO the COMMUNICATING.
We'll, | think YOU had better take them a'v.s
to protect you In case you met the spanish,
The humors OF the hour are not lacking ~.
few people who visit the squadron nave ha..
ideas of the uses to which the various strans s.
appliances on board are to be put. one vis .u'
who was listening to the recital or some s"ip
shooting by the guns of the Massachusetts uu.
ing which a half-ton projectile with us ehe,s
Of thirty thousand foot-tons had carried a".s
the flagstaff OF a target. remarked Il suppossSS
the mere weight OK sucn huge thiHs "0
be sufficient TO do H.. ..,,v
A young woman. impressed by the ss'u .ha,,
Of the barbettes OF one OF the ships WIN VIII, ~, ~
coating Of gray cork paint, asked conholnsp ,A
her cadet guide. Are they cut out VI ''"
granite?" any,
Among the officers Of the ships VINO ar are vrs.
iously awaiting the signal for start NIs me
sells are ready to go on a moments warhihs' ~.
political features Of the Spanish iueslv,s ara
cclye some attention, although no coniiearsnt
heard by the general public. but IL Is aPbs .a Of
that tho officers have perfectly cieai - sght-
what II Is they ere going to hgnt TOT, Orr, :, llp
Ing there be- There Is one word on e's,' 70
the rame of the noble batte-saip MAI .vmeri.
vndcate the Maine. every man IN y, ,ne duty. at
can Navy Is willing to do his whoie , no sau
any moment the Government ashs "''
for Spanish port