New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
SCOUT SHIPS IN HAMPTON ROADS.
THE DIXIE FINALLY sAILS-WILL SQUAD
RON GO TO SPAIN?


Newport News, Va, June IL (SpeciaD.-Arter
almost months stay in Hampton Roads' ap-
parentIy with no prospect Of ever getting away.
the United States auxiliary cruiser Dixie Com-
mander Davis. babe farewell to Old Point this
afternoon at o'clock and headed for the sea to
Join Admiral Simpsons fleet at Santiago Com
mander Davis received his orders yesterday az
ternoon. and work was begun at once In supply
ing the ship for a long cruise. collier was
summoned this morning at daybreak. and when
the Dixie. with the Maryland Naval militia
aboard steamed out OF Hampton Roads. she mao
everything essential for her cruise.
BIG GUNS OF THE DIXIE
TIL. departure OF the Dixie for the scene Of
hostities is the signal for revival OF the fears
entertained by all naval officers as to the ships
ability TO safely carry a battery Of ten o-inch
guns. When the Department first arranged the
details of the armament OF the auxiliary cruisers
there was considerable opposition to furnishing
the Dixie with 6-nch guns, when the other shps
OF her class the Yosemite. the Yankee and the
Prairie. were armed with guns or o-inch caipre'
The ships would do extremely well, II was sa'o'
II they could successfully handle the latter size
in action.
The (-inch guns were on hand however, ana
a Board OF Inspection. after examining '"e
Dixie, decided that the experiment was worth
the risk and accordingly she received an ar'na-
nent heavier than any warship in the Navy,
except those OF the armored class. A naval OH
Ger. at the shlprard. who was one OF those SUI
perintendlng tbs WORK OF placing the guns on the
cruiser stated tLE afternoon that IL the DiA'e
ever gets into acton. her guns are sure W scl
her into trouble II IL extremely douptiui IL s"c
can stand the severe test OF discharging broad
sides. and perhaps all Of her guns. IN the neat
Of a fight. The Dixe's work with Admiral
Sampson will be watched with Interest by naval
officers.
MINNEAPOLIS AT NEWPORT NEWS
The Minneapolis arrived in port at O'CLOCK
this afternoon, and anchored short distance
above the Harvard. The Department mas con-
cluded in this case TO adhere TO It's Original ue
cision 10 have as many of the warships as leasi-
bic overhauled and fitted out at the shipyaru
here The Minneapolis Will tie up at the yard on
Monday to have her machinery Inspected. ana
viii then drop down 10 the Chesapeake ana
Ohio piers TO take on coal 49,.
Tho cruiser Yale received her eight o-lncH
yurs to-day and will be ready TO leave the snip
yard 10y Monday. She will then anchor IN 'he
stream to receive her finishing touches; ~ IS
no, likely that she VIII get away before ~, RS
dav The Harvard will then tie up al one or the
piers to receive her armament and have maya
Zines placed in her hold ,,
on a wnrlike appearance and tomorrow ahother
warshlp making four In all. Will come up ann i
drop anchor. The dynamite cruiser bunao wiz
be released from quarantine al clu Si>,.o r
morrow afternoon. and Will go TO the snlpyaru
10 be converted into n more formidable hghter.
The United States collier Southerly passed OUT
Of HAMPTON Roads this morning Tor Key west
She carried 3 500 tons Of coal. The cruiser New
ark began taking on her ammunition TO-DAY
and viii leave the Navy Yard early In the week
II Is not likely she viii go further thah Ola
Point
TALK OF FLYING SQUADRON TO GO TO
SPAIN
An officer from the Minneapolis stated to-day
that he understood. while his ship was on scout
duty in Cuban waters. that Commodore Schley
would be ordered back to Hampton Roads just
as soon az the Santiago armada Is either de-
stroyed or captured. FOR the purpose or reorgah-
ling his Flying Squadron. This officer stated
that Il is the general opinion among haVai ON
GERS that Schley would have the greatest TASK
I'm connection with the war. that or making
dash across the Atlantic with a formidable ana
sneedy squadron OF warships. Tor the purpose
Of routing the Spanish reserve heet In i's own
waters. .u,, T., oao-r
xarfare and. according to this officer. Schley
is the man TO undertake the task. In MS opih-
ion such n step would not be taken unless c .ne
cnanish reserve showed no desire 10 follow Ger
era The torpedo boat destroyer Is ready 10
sail. and will start for Key West on Monday
Discoveries OF n serious nature when nave peeh
made In the vicinity Of the boilers on the cihciil-
natl make IL probable her stay VIII pe ie"s"-
ened several weeks. ,.,
The Plant liner. La Grande Duchesse. captain
PETER Uanlon will leave the shipyard Monday
morning FOR either New-York or Key West This
chin has heen at the yard for the last three
months having her boilers OF the Babcock pat
tern removed and replaced with Scotch boilers.
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