The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-26
Troops For Manila Are
Now on the Ocean.
SAILING OF TRANSPORTS.
Escorted TO the Golden Gate by
Craft Of All Sorts.
GREAT ENTHUSIASM DISPLAYED.

| San Francisco. May 26.--The start was
made for Manila late yesterday after
noon. and the first American army to
sail for foreign shore is now on the
broad Pacific.
At 4 o'clock Brigadier General Ander-
son lslgnalled from the Australia, direct
ing the City OF Peklng and the City of
Sydney TO get under way. The signal
was seen from the shore. and the waiting
crowds commenced TO cheer wildly No
time was lost on board the transports.
The orewssworked with a will, and In q
short tifde the anchors were up and the
vessels,uere under way Then the $500
soldierswhD had been impatiently await
ing tte, signal to start climbed to the
rigging and swarmed all over the big
ships. shouting and cheering like mad.
The bay was alive with small craft of
every description, and ferry boats were
pressed into service TO accommodate the
eager crowds and carry them 10 the head
OF the golden gate that last farewell
might be said.
The big transports steamed slowly
along the water front and the crowd on
u.
The noise made by patriotic citizens on
sea and shore was something terrific
Every steam whistle in the city appeared
TO be blowing; cannon were fired and the
din lasted for fully an hour. AS the
Australia passed Alcatraz island. in the
lead OF the other ships. the battery of
United States artillery stationed there
fired salute TO General Anderson.
The colors were dipped In recognition
and the steamships sounded their sirens.
The boats. small and large. followed as
the transports moved slowly forward.
and not until the heavy swe.g OF the
Pacific were encountered did they turn
back. IL was shortly after s O'Clock
when the vessels entered the ocean
When last seen the transport fleet was
steaming slowly TO the southwest. After
the pilots were dropped the vessels went
ahead at full speed. and in six days, II
all goes we'll they will enter Honolulu
harbor and join the Charleston.
The three transports carried about
$500 men. The expedition. which is un Ter
command of Brigadier General Ander-
son. consists of four companies OF regu-
lars under command of Major Robe: the
First regiment Of California volunteers.
Colonel Smith: the First regiment Of
Oregon volunteers. Colonel Summers: a
battalion Of the Fifth heavy artillery.
Major Gary about 100 sailors and II
naval officers. The fleet ia loaded with
supplies to last year and carries big
cargo OF ammunition and naval stores |
Tor Admiral Dewey's fleet.
1t is not probable any more troops will |
be dispatched before another week. The /
is being prepared to carry
soldiers, but none of the other TRANSPORTS
is In port. The china is not due until
May 2s, and II the steamships of the
Northern Pacific company are chartered
and put under an American register. n
VIII take some time before that fleet can
be In order. 1t is thought here the fleet
VIII not keep company with the Charles /
Ton after leaving Honolulu. They ali
carry enough coal to steam at full speed
from Honolulu to Manila, while the
Charleston. in order to econonize coal
will not go faster than 10 knots an hour
II the transports do not wait for the
cruiser they may be expected TO arrive
1t Manila about June 20