The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-29
Squadron Mt Key West Augmented by
Arrival of the Cincinnati. Will
mfngtOn and Castine.
YACHTS AND TUGS RENAMED
AND THE TORPEDO BOAT BUILT III
GERMANY CALLED sOMERs.
The "FIying Squadron" Now in Conn
at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

WASHINGTON, March 2S.--The most sig
niticant OF the naval orders issued by the
Navy Department to-day was the detach-
ment of Commander Horace Elmer from
Cramps shipyard ard ordering him to take
charge of the Mosquito fleet" This aux
Hilary organization of the navy to be called
into active service in time of war is to be
composed Of small crafts of all kinds that
may be obtainable by the department on
which a gun may be mounted and other de-
fensive devices placed. The fact that the
organization Is to be composed exclusively
of small craft of all descriptions that may
be available gives the cause for it's desig-
nation as the Mosquito fleet" It's pros
pective formation is the result of the OBJ
servations and work of the naval college
for the past five years. and the officials be-
lieve that with the material that may be
obtainable and the manning of the vessels
by the naval militia of the States for
midable organization of its kind will result.
The naval militia CT the States, however,
will not be relied on entirely TO man the
ships, but, in case OF necessity, resort will
be had to seamen wherever they may be
picked up. Commander Elmer is at the New
York navy yard, which will be the center
of his future operations. His duties respect
ing the selection of craft for the fleet are
exactly the same as those performed by
the board which, for the past two weeks,
has been engaged in the inspection of mer-
chant vessels for the auxiliary defense pre-
liminary to their purchase by the Navy De-
partmenf The commander and his assist
ants will visit various places along the
coast and will communicate by letter with
persons and firms owning small craft, with
a view to determining just how many are
available and at what prices the owners
would sell or charter them to the govern
ment. SO far as practicable II is the inten-
ton of the department that there shall be
a separate set of ships for the defense OF
the seacoast cities, the whole to compose
the Mosquito fleet " The primary idea is
for each local fleet to be used in the defense
of the particular city where II Is made up.
The Bureau of Ordnance will be called into
reauisition to assist in furnishing arna-
ment for the vessels and, in the event OF
war, naval officers will be assigned to the
command of each of the several local fleets.
THE KEY WEST FLEET.
The big naval fleet in the vicinity of Key
West received an important addition to-day
in the arrival of the cruiser Cincinnati and
the gunboats Wilmington and Castine,
which were at Port Antonio, Jamaica,
Castine comprised the recent South Allan
tic 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 West for the
present Owing to great speed, the Cincin-
natl probably will be added to the flying
squadron" in case it is deemed advisable
TO enlarge that fleet.
Secretary Long and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt were on hand at the department
early to-day holding conferences with
bureau chiefs and number of visitors VINO
had business of Importance Among the
public men who saw Secretary Long was
Senator Frye, of Maine. AT 10 o'clock the
secretary left the department for the White
House intending not to return until 2
o'clock There was no additional informa-
ton at the department regarding the loca-
ton of the Spanish torpedo boat fiotilla
now on its way to Porto Rico from the
Canaries, excepting that 1t was advancing
steadily. The highest naval authorities con-
tinue to say that this movement is the
most formidable menace to the vessels of
our navy that has yet occurred
The fact that Admiral Walker cabled
from Nicaragua to the State Department
announcing his departure for home revives
the speculation as 10 the llksllnOOu VI Ohe
of the highest officers of the navy. active
+, or retired. being placed IN charge of the
entire naval workings. including the fleet
under Captain Sampson. Commodore
SchIey's flying squadron and any auxiliary
line of defense that may be established. 1t
was stated. however, at the Navy Depart
ment that Admiral Walkers homecoming
is because of the conclusion of the work of
the Nicaragua canal commission, of which
he is president and that 1t was not has
tened because OF the present naval activity.
Moreover the name of Admiral Bunce, who
IS still on the active list, Is the most fire.
quenty mentioned among the highest naval
officers as the one most likely TO be chosen
for this supreme command If it should be
determined upon.
In view OF the great desire for expert
enced men in the naval service just at this