The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-16
WAS A PRACTICE CRUISE
II WAS. EAIINENTLY SUCCESSFUL
IN EVERY RESPECT.
+GUNNtRS SHOW CLEVER MARKMENSHIp
The Signals We're Promptly Responded to and
the Men Answered Promptly to The Call
TO Battle Commodore SChIey
highv Pleased.
Highly Pleased.

hlgnly FleaSed'
Fortress Monroe, Va, April 1j.--The
American Flying Squadron, the depar-
ture of which caused so much excite
ment on Wednesday, returned to-day to
anchorage at Fortress Monroe, after
having completed two days and two
nights of arduous labor, with satisfaction
to Commodore Schley. Commodore
Schley wanted the captains of the fleet
to know each other in the movement
of their vessels, and to be able to an
swer quickly to all signals for move
ments liable to be made in case of II
fight Running down to Cape Henry OH
Wednesday afternoon the squadron was
taken fifteen miles out to sea, at tbt.
same time manoeuvcring in response to
the signals from the flagship.
VESSELS RESPOND QUICKLY.
All of the big vessels responded quick
ly. the exceedingly heavy battle ships.
Massachusetts and Texas. being espe-
cally and surprisingly quick. Line of
battle with the Brooklyn on the right,
the Massachusetts to the left of the
Brooklyn, the Minneapolis to the left of
the Massachusetts, the Columbia next
and the Texas on the extreme left, act
ing as guides The signal to anchor
in line was 0beyed so we'll that All
alnost perfect alignment was obtained
Anchorage was made OH Wednesday
night, fifteen miles east of Cape Charles
Light House and near the old drill
ground.
Thursday morning found very unfa-
vorable conditions for either. mandeuver-
ing or using the guns, the weather being
intensely disagreeable with heavy rain
and hail storm and Il heavy sea, but
Commodore Schley decided to go out
and began the manoeuveres. The Mass
achuSetts dipped her low nose IN the
water time after time taking up tons
of water, but was handled beautifully
coming UP TO alignment or circling about
to right or left more quickly than a
light cruiser.
The other vessels were also quick to
respond to signals. This drill was kept
up all day and at night-tal anchorage
was made at point thirteen miles from
Cape Charles. After dark signal work
by electric light was pract:ced for two
hours.
MEN RESPOND QUICKLY.
At nine o'clock when most of the off
GERS and men had prepared to retire, the
call to quarters and battle calls were
sounded. On the Brooklyn so quickly
was the work done that every division
officer had reported ready" in four
minutes and the ship was ready for
service with night compartments closed,
ammunition holster to gun turrets swing
ing, battle matches down and the crews
1T the guns ready to shoot. The other
ships reported almost as quickly.
Friday morning was given up to prac-
tice mt the guns, all the ships putting out
targets at 500 yards. The guns on the
Brooklyn cut the flag from the top of
their target within twenty minutes, re-
markable work when it is considered
that the target was but IS inches square
and the flagstaff but two inches wide.
At l O'Clock the ships were signallcd
by Commodore Schley to head for Hamp-
ton Roads for anchorage, with the cXcep-
lion of the Texas, which was ordered to
remain at. and try her big guns and inn
proved turrcts with solid shot The
rest of the squadron anchored off Fort
Monroe at about ) O'clock
SATISFACTORY PRACTICE.
Commodore Schley expressed himself
as very much pleased with the work
OF the captains of the vessels under his
charge. The manouevres of the boats
and the work of the crews at the guns
We're both highly pleasing. He called
particular attention to the rapidity with
which the battle call to quarters" on
the Brooklyn was responded to. He
also called attention to the target prac-
tlce of the rapid fire guns, saying Il
don't think any torpedo boat would live
under that fire"
The Texas ran into Hampton Roads
about o'clock ana joined the squadron.
Captain Philip said that the new turret
arrangement had worked with great sat
isfaction, and that the big guns could be
loaded by Lieutenant Hacseler's new
arrangement ut any angle and
very quickly. He could fire more than
twice as many shots now. he said, than
under the old English arrangement.
The Columbia and Minneapolis went
up to Newport News tonight after
coal, SO as to fill up their bunkers, re-
placing that used to-day. Commodore
Schley is very much pleased with the
skillful way in whicht he new crews of
the Minneapolis and Columbia obeyed
signals. The boats are large and re-
quire much room to turn in, but Cap
tains Jewell and Sands were both warm
ly commended.
The Brooklyn in anchoring tonight
lost one of her big anchors. the chain
The Norfolk Navy Yard peo-
pie will recover it.