Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-03-29
ANOTHER NEW FLEET,
To BE Known as the Mosquito Fleet, Com
posed OF Small Auxiliary Vessels Has
Been Formed-Naval Militia to Man


| Them.
WASHINGTON. March 2S-The custo-
mary activity. which has prevailed in all
| branches Of the war and navy depart
ments for the past month, was apparent
again to-day.
Particularly was this the case in the
latter where Secretary Long and Assist
ant Secretary Roosevelt were on hand
early. holding conferences with bureau
chiefs. and number of visitors who had
business Of Importance. Among the pub
lie men who saw Secretary Long was
Senator Frye Of Maine At ten O'Clock
the secretary left the department for the
White House. intending not to return IN
til two o'clock There was no additional
information at the department relating
to the location Of the Spanish torpedo
boat iotilla now on its way to Puerto
Rico from the Canaries, excepting that it
was advancing steadily.
The highest naval authorities continue
to say that this movement is the most
formidable menace to the ships of our
navy that has yet occurred. 1t was dis
closed for the first time by one Of the
naval orders issued to-day that she
department had determined upon the for
nation of
DDITIONAL NEW FLEET,
TO be known as The Mosquito Fleet.
to be composed of tugs. steam yachts
and other small vessels. which may be
available and be used as a sort Of mobile
defense of seacoast cities 1t was further
developed in this connection that the ma
val militia of the several States is 10 be
called upon to man this auxiliary fleet.
The fact that Admiral Walker cabled
from Nicaragua TO the State Department
announcing his departure for home. re-
wives the speculation as to the likelihood
of one of the highest officers of the navy.
active or retired. being placed in charge
of the entire naval operations. including
the fleet under Captain Sampson, Com
modore Schley's Flying Squadron" and
any auxiliary lines of the defense that
may be established. 1t was stated. how
ever. at the Navy Department. that Adj
miral Walkers home coming Is because
Of the conclusion of the work of the Mic
aragua commission. Of which he is pres
iGent. and that was not FASTENED because
Of the present naval activity.
The most significant of the naval orders
issued by the navy department to-day
was the detachment of Commander Hor-
ace Efer from Cramps ship yards. and
ordering him 10 duty In regard to the
Mosquito fleet, this auxiliary organization
of the navy, to be called into service in
time of war is TO be composed of small
craft % all kinds, that may be obtainable
by the department upon which. a gun
may be mounted and other defensive
devices placed The fact that the organi
zation is TO be composed exclusively of
small craft Of all descriptions that may be
available gives the cause for its designa-
ton as the Mosquito Fleet" Its pros
pective formation is the result of obser-
YationS and the work of the naval col
lege for the past five years, and the Of
ficials believe that with the material that
may be available and the manning of the
vessels by the naval militia of the States.
A FORMIDABLE ORGANIZATION
of its kind will result. The naval militia
to the States however will not be relied
upon entirely 10 man the ships, but in
case of necessity resort will be had TO
seamen wherever they may be picked up.
So far as practicable it i. the intention of
the department that there shall he a sep
arate set of ships for the defense Of each
Of the seacoast cities, the whole 10 com
pose the Mosquito feet
The big naval fleet in the vicinity of
Key West received an important addition
to-day in the arrival of the cruiser Gin
cinnati. and the gunboats Wilmington
and Castine. which were al Port Antonio.
Jamaica. when last heard from. The
Cincinnati and Castine belonged to the
recent South Atlantic squadron. and were
called home several weeks ago. These
vessels are believed to be in excellent
condition for active service, and will be
retained at Key Wect for the present
Owing to great speed. the Cincinnati
probably will be added TO the Flying
Squadron in case il is deemed advisable
TO enlarge that fleet.