The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-04-26
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
Censorship ON News as
to Its Movements.
TWO WARSHIPS SAILED.
Tne Minneapolis and the Columbia
Depart Hastily on Secret Mission.
Quick Work i'm Getting TO See After
Receiving Orders by Signal From the
FLAGSHIP Many Conjecture. as to
Their MfssiOn-Rush Work on For.
tfdcatfOn Wurk AT Fort Monroe and
Adjacent Coast Defenses.

| tffcatfon Wurk AZ Fort Monroe and
| Adjacent Coast Defenses.
Fort Monroe, Va, April 24.-(On boa ri
flagship Brooklyn.)-For strategic pur-
poses and for the protection of informa-
ton that might be of value to the enc
my. Commodore Schley, of the flying
squadron, has established a practical
censorship over those in his command
relative to the divulging of the reason
for any movement made or TO DE made
py the squadron or individual ships of
the squadron. To more fully carry out
that plan OF protection to government in
terests, only commanding officers are
made aware of such movements and the
responsibility is thus minmized 1t is
Tor these reasons that the actual des tina
ton Of the Minneapolis and Columbia is
merely matter of newspaper conjec-
ture. The actual mission of the big
cruisers is not, and will not be made
public, the navy department., Commodore
Sdhley and the commanders of the ves-
seis being the sole possessors of infor-
nation on the subject
The conjectures as to the object for
which Commodore SchIey ordered th4m
of the steamship Paris, assistance TO the
battleShfp Oregon, capture of Spanish
gunbOatS, and convoy for the transport
Panther, now at Hampton Roads, are
some of them. The latter theory is par
TALLY diScredited. The Panther with her
human freight of nearly 700 officers and
marines, lies in safety with the remain
ing ships of the squadron off Fort Mon
roe and evidently in no hurry to move.
AS a matter of fact, the Panther itself
helm Uall
armed with eight rapid-fire rifles, which
could be used effectively. All of the 700
men aboard her are in excellent condi-
ton, no patients occupying the sick bay.
The departure of the Columbia and
Minneapolis last night created a great
deal of excitement, but demonstrated in
what fine condition all of the vessels Of
Co-amodOre Schley'S squadron are. From
the time the signal was made. on the flag
ship to the time the Minneapolis went
by on her way to sea was less than an
hour, and the Columbia followed in
few minutes. When the multitudinouS
duties to be performed, after an order to
put to sea Is given are considered, thor
OughneSs of discipline and capability of
the men are in splendid practical evil
dence.
MARYLAND NAVAL RESERVES ON
DUTY
Sunday here passed very quietly. The
Maryland naval reserves who are to man
the Yosemite and the Dixie arrived by
boat early this morning. Ine TWO con-
verted boats will be ready in a day or
two being at Newport News yards un-
der Improvement. When the Maryland
reserves PASSED the Brooklyn they cheer
ed heartily.
The Sioux, converted tug under COM
mand of Lieutenant Gherardi, and which
mounts several rapid-fire guns, left this
afternoon and the men on the Brooklyn
gave her hearty cheer as she passed
out
The hospital boat Solace left Newport
News for Norfolk where she will take
on medical stores.
Tonight the precaution was begun of
putting out a patrol fleet of steam cut
ters fully equipped to fight and to give
warning if an enemy approached.
The work of strens thening the fortifi-
cations at Fort Monroe continued all day
with a large working force, as did also
the work, of laying mines in the narbOr.
Where the old and 10-inch converted
rifles used to stand will be mounted
battery of modern rapid-fire guns, which
are expected to command Hampton
Roads and Chesapeake bay and make it
impossible for a torpedo boat of the enc
my TO enter. These guns. 1t is thought;
will be in fighting condition by the end
of this week.
The work is not confined TO the fort it
self by any means. for active prepara-
tions for possible conflict are being
made at the pines Battery and on the
beach of Chesapeake bay, midway be-
tween this battery and the fort. Here
four new disappearing guns will be
mounted behind breastworks of the most
modern and substantial kind. In addi-
tion to this the immense battery OF
smooth bore guns are ready for use and
at a range of one mile will prove terribly
destructive.
At willoughby Spit. opposite Fort Mon
roe and which point controls the en-.
trance to Norfolk, Newport News and
the. James and Potomac rivers d board
| of naval officers has made an Inspection
with a view of constructing fort at
the point to cooperate with Fort Mon
roe. 1t is expected that active opera
| tions on the fort will begin this week
| and be pushed to completion without de-
| lay This fort is to be erected on SUI
| nerstructure of steel supports, forming
an arohed chamber with turrets- IN
! which the guns are to be operated ne
| fort will he temporary in structure, pu'
properly manned will prove formida-
hIe defense in case the enemy should at
invasion af he .harbOr.