The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-04-21
THE MOveMeNTs.
OF the Flying Squadron Was Very satis-
factory to Commodore Schiey Fleet Re.
turns TO Hampton Roads.

OF the Flying Squadron Was Very satis.
factory to Commodore Schiey-Fleet Re.
turns TO Hampton Roads.
Fort MONROE, Va, April 16.-The
flying squadron, the departure of
which caused SO much excitement on
Wednesday, returned Friday to anchor
age at Fort Monroe after having COM
pletcd two days and two nights Of
arduous labors with satisfaction to its
commanding officers. Commodore
Schley wanted the captains of the fle. t
to know each other in the movement of
their vessels, and to be able to answ.r
quickly to ali signals for movements
liable to be made in an engagement.
Running down to Cape Henry on We'd
nesday afternoon the squadron was
taken Is miles out to sea, at the same
time maneouvering in response to the
signals from the flagship
All of the big vessels responded
quickly, the heavy battle ships Massa-
cnusetts and Texas Leing especially
and surprisingly quick. Line of bat
tie was formed with the brooklyn on
the right, Massachusetts to left
of the Brooklyn. the Minne-
apolis to the left of the Massa-
Texas on the extreme left. The signal
to anchor in line was obeyed so we'll
that an almost perfect alignment was
obtained. Anchorage was made on
Wednesday night, 10 miles east of Cape
Charles light, near the southern drill
ground.
Thursday morning found very un
favorable condi tions for either maneu-
vering or using the guns, the weather
being intensely disagreeable, with II
heavy rain and hail storm and a higher
sea, but Commodore Schley decided to
90 out and begin the maneuver. The
massachusetts, dipped her low nose in
he water time after time. taking no
tons of water, but was handled beauti-
ully. coming up to alignment or
circling more quickly than a light
cruiser. The other vessels also were
quick to respond to signals This
drill was kept up all day and at night
| fall anchorage was made at point l3
| miles from Cape Charles. After dark
signal work by electric light was prac-
ticed for two hours. Ats oc.ock. when
most of the officers and men had pre-
pared to retire, the call to quarters
the Brooklyn SO quickly was the work
done that every division officer had re-
ported "ready" in four minutes and the
hip was ready for battle, with water
| tight compartments closed. ammunition
hoisted to guns, turrets swinging, battle
| matches down and the crews at the
guns ready to shoot. The other ships
reported almost as quickly. Friday
morning was given up to practice at
the guns, all the ships putting out tar
gets at 500 yards. The gunners on the
Brooklyn cut the flag from the top of
their target within 90 minutes, re-
| markable work when it is considered
that the target was but Is inches
square and the flag staff but two inches
wide.
At o'clock the ships were signaled
by Commodore Schley to head for
Hampton Roads for anchorage, with
| the exception of the Texas, which was
ordered to remain out and try her big
guns and improved turrets with solid
| shot. The rest of the squadron an
| chored off Fort Monroe at about 8
| o'clock.
Commodore Schley expressed himself
as very much pleased with the work of
| the captains of the vessels under his
charge. The maneuvers of the boats
and the work of the crews at the guns
were both highly pleasing. He called
particular attention to- the rapidity
with which the ''call to quarters" on
the Brooklyn was responded to. He
also called attention to the target
practice of the rapid fire guns, saying:
n don't think any torpedo boat would
| live under that fire."
The Texas ran into Hampton Roads
about six o'clock and joined the squad
ron. Capt. Phillip said that the new
turret arrangement had worked salts
tactorily and the big guns could be
loaded by Lieut. Haeseler's new auto
matte arrangement any angle and very
quickly. He could fire more than twica
as many shots now, he said, than under
the old English arrangement
| The Columbia and Minneapolis went
up to Newport News Friday night
after coal so as to fill up their bunk
ers, replacing that used Friday. Com
modore Schley is very much pleased
with the skillful way in which the
new crews of the Minneapolis and CO.
lumbia obeyed signals. The boats
are large and require much room to
turn in, but Capts. Jewell aud Sands
| were both warmly commended.
| --------