New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-26
FLYING SQUADRON GUARDED.
NIGHT PATROL ON DUTY AT HAMPTON
ROADS.
NO VESSEL TO GO IN OR OUT FROM SUNSET TO
sUNRlsE-PANT1IER TO GO TO KEY
WEST TO-DAY.


my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNrl
Old Point Comfort Va. April 23.-It was
/ runored here to-day that at least one Of the
shirs Of the Flying Squadron would put to sea
al 1 o'clock. orders received from Washing
ton. but when that hour came there were no un-
usual preparations in sight and the Brooklyn
the Massachusetts, and the Texas are still at
anchor In Hampton Roads.
The troop ship Panther is awaiting the
rival Of the cruiser NJ ut tgomery from the Nor
folk Navy Yard. to convoy her to Key West.
Commander Converse received orders from
Washington to-day to start out with the Pan
ther tonight. but owing to necessary finishing
touches II was impossible to carry out these
/ instructions. and the commander reported that
he would be ready to proceed to Old Point to-
morrow morning
An officer from the Panther stated tonight
that his ship with $50 marines aboard. would
surely sail tomorrow morning. under convoy
of the Montgomery. The arrival OF the Co
lumhia at Newport. r. l.. and the sailing Of the
Minneapolis FOR either Boston or Passport Me-
confirms the statement contained IN this
respondence relative to the distribution OF the
ships Of the Flying Squadron along the At
lantic for seaport protection
THE TEXAS MAY 60 TO PORT ROYAL.
II the Developments OF the next few days do
not make Il necessary for the retention OF
the combined hghting strength or the squad
ron in these waters It IS probable that the Texas
Will drop down to the vicinity of Port Royal
s. c.. and the Brooklyn take the Cape Henry
station the Massa chusctts remaining in Hamp-
ton Roads 10 cooperate with Fort Monroe
The most important order yet issued came to-
day from Captain Casey commanding the En-
gineer Corps and In charge OF the work OF
planting submarine mines In Hampton Roads
After to- night no vessels OF any class coastwise
or foreign. Will he permitted TO pass In or out OF
Hampton Roads between sunset and sunrise.
The Roads will be closed TO all ships Mt night
as a precaution against possible danger from
contact with the mines. which arc now being
planted with surprising rapidlty. This VIII
greatly retard the coastwise traffic. and ohlige
all companies operating passenger and freight
ships from Newport News and Norfolk TO
Washington. Baltimore. New-York and Bost n
to change their schedules. which are now
night basis. that the steamers VIII sail ear
lier in the evening and arrive later In the
morning.
By order Of Commodore schley a night patrol
has been established and tonight several Gov
eminent tugs and the cutters from the warships
are actively covering Hampton Roads stopping
all private tugs or steamers passing In or ont
Every ship Il boarded 10 make certain - Us
| destination
Hamilton and Morrol doing picket duty
tonight at the Virginia capes The Hudson.
also revenue cutter Is outside.
HOSPITAL SHIP TAKING on SUPPLIES
The torpedo-bo boat Rodgers again returned this
afternoon after her second attempt 10 proceed
to Key West The hospital shiI S0lace. under
command OF Lieutenant McKcthan. LETT the
shipyard this afternoon for Norfolk Navy Yard.
where she Will take on provisions and medical
supplies. and proceed N once to repor, 10 Ad-
miral Sampson. on the Ncw-York. She Will
probably start early Wednesday morning. Com
mander Reiter who was originally assigned 20
and It fell on Lieutenant McKethan. the next
officer IN rank % take the ship out.
The German steamship Caiania. Captain Mul-
Ter, which arrived at Newport News late last
night from New-YOrk. where she discharged
part 81 her cargo, from Hamburg. was inspected
this afternoon by Board Of naval officers from
Portsmouth. Her owner IS desrOus OF selling
his ship. and as the Catania Is the spoediesf
tramp on the ocean. making twelve knots II is
possible that she may be purchased She vii!
remain here. The EssOn has been DISCARDED
Naval Constructor Woodward. in rcsUOnse 70
an inquiry from the Bureau of Construction.
has tcleeraphed that the Dixie and the Yosemite
can leave the yard Saturday night provided
the one and one-fourth inch armor- plate now
i,s way 10 the shipydrd. IS rot 10 be attached.
The San Francisco with Commander Howard
aboard and the New Orleans are expected to-
morrow from New York.