The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-04-25

| which Commodore Schley ordered them to
| sea last night are many. Protection of the
steamship Paris, assistance to the battle
snip Oregon, capture OF Spanish gunboats
ana convoy Tor the transport Panther now
at Hampton Roads, are some of them. The
iatter theory is partially discredited be-
cause the Panther, with her human freight
OF nearly 700 officers and marines, lies in
| saIet. with remaining ships of squadron
| OH FORTRESS Monroe. and is evidently in
| no hurry to move. As matter of let
| the Panther Itself has some projection
being pretty well armed with eight rapid
lire guns, which could be used effectively
~ oi tne 'VV men on board of her are il,
| exceiient condition, no patients occupying
the Sick BEDS
| Inc departure of the Columbia and Min
heapolis last night created a great deal o..
excitement, and demonstrated in what fine
| condition all of the vessels of Commodore
| schley's squadron are. From the time the
signal was made on the flagship 20 the
.lnie lhe minneapolis went on her way to
sea was less than an hour. and the Column.
pia followed in few minutes. When the
hu'titudlnous duties to be performed after
an erder TO put to sea Is given are consi1-
cred, the discipline and the capability OF
men are in splendid and practical evidence
sunday here passed very quietly The
maryland naval reserves, who are to man
Z
early this morning. The two converted
noats VIII be ready in day or two being
at Newport News yards under improve-
ment.
The Sioux. converted tug, CAPTAIN
Gherardi in command, left the harbor' and
the crews OF the other vessels cheered her
as she departed. 40
ting out a patrol fleet of steamers fnilv
equipped to fight and to give warning NJ an
enemy approaching.
me work or strengthening the fortified
lions at Fortress Monroe Continued M dav
with large working force. as did also tho
Mork OF laying mines in the harbor. Whore
nv o'o anu io-inch covered rifles used
TO stann WIN be mounted battery of mod
ern rapid fire guns, which are expccfen q.
.ohihana Hampton Roads and Chesapeake
pay, and make It impossible for torpedo
ooai OF me emmy to enter Those guns n
Is thought. will be in fighting condition nv
the end OF this week. -
.ne work is not confined to the fort n.
seil by any means, for active prapara tions
for possible conflict are beinp n,adn Is,
me Pines battery and on the beach ~
chesapeake bag. midway between this hat
'ery and the fort. Here four new disan-
pearing guns will be mounted behind the
preastworks OF the most modern and suh-
stantial kind. W.
IN addition to TIM the immense battery
OF smooth bore guns are ready for pse ana
a, range OF one mile will prove terribly
.nective. Opposite Fortress Monroe. al
me entrance TO Norfolk. Newport News and
me James and Potomac rivers a board OF
havai onicers has made an inspection with
view OF constructing fort at that point
10 cooperate with Fortress Monroe.
II is expected that preparations VII, ~,
GIN this week and will he pushed to com-
pletion without delay. This fort is TO be
erected on n superstructure OF steel sun.
ports forming an arched chamber with tur-
r r IN which the gums are to be operated.
IRE tort VIII be temporarv but nroperiy
mannen. VIII prove formidable defense In
OF the harbor. '''''o"