Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-05-26
Battle Ship Oregon's
Long Trip Almost
Completed.
OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED SAFE
Best News Since Dewey's Victory at
Manila-No Authentic Information
Concerning the Movements of the
American or Spanish Fleets.

Washington. May 20. - Secretary
Long gave out the welcome information
today that the battle-ship Oregon has
successfully completed her long trip
from San Francisco. making the entire
circle of South America, and is now
safe Whether or not she has joined
Admiral SIMPSONS fleet, the secretary
would not say. The rigid secrecy OF
the navy department was relaxed only
enough to make known the best news
the navy department has received since
the battle of Manila, as it means not
only that the Oregon is out of harms
way from a concerted attack on this one
ship by the whole Spanish squadron
now in southern waters, but also that
her fighting strength will be added to
Admiral SIMPSONS force in the near
future, if, indeed, it has not already
augmented the admiral's strength.
TIE Oregon left San Francisco about
six weeks before the wal opened, and
at that time it was admitted that she
was to join the ships in Atlantic wa
ters. She stopped ut Callao for dis
patches and then went around the Horn
and up the east coast OF South America.
In all, the trip covered was more than
l3, 600 miles. The last stretch, from
Bahia to the Windward islands, has
been followed with anxiety by naval
officials, for by strange coincidence
the formidable Spanish squadron Of
armored cruisers and torpedoboats ap-
preached the Windward islands at the
very time when the Oregon was due
there.
1t was suspected that the Spanish
admiral would try to intercept the bat
tle-ship with his superior force, and
before leaving Bahia, Captain Clark, OF
the Oregon, was warned to keep a close
lookout for the Spanish feet. In reply,
Captain Clark expressed his confidence
In being able to hold his own single
handed with the Oregon against all
the Spanish cruisers. The only appre-
hension he felt was as to torpedo boats
under the Spanish admiral's command,
for these are new and practically
untried element against the modern
battle-ship, and while Captain Clark is
confident of holding ont against the
Spaniards, chance blow might be
struck by them.
Notwithstanding Captain Clark's
assurances, the navy department con-
tinued to feel that a meeting between
the Spanish squadron and the Ameri-
can battle-ship on such unequal terms
was far from desirable and might bring
serious results. For this reason, the
official information reaching the author
tiles today was q source of most hearty
congratulations. Where the report came
from was not made known, but the
mere fact that Secretary Long regards
the Oregon az safe makes it possible
that she has passed to the northward of
the Windward islands.
Aside from this bit of information,
Secretary Long said at the close of
office hours that there was no further
news to be given out. During the day,
the bureau Of navigation issued bull
letin summarizing Commander Nc
Calais official report on the recent en-
gagement at Cienfuegos and adding
some minor news on the prospective ex-
change Of prisoners, etc. These bulle-
tins are practically all that comes from
the navy department with the secre-
tary's confirmation.
Today, Secretary Long joined the
war board, which has been in session
for some hours, to participate in the
discussion of their plans, which are
believed to have been modified materi-
ally ny the news received from the
Oregon.