Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-07
wATsoN's FLEET.

curing the day, though notice OF It has
not been received.
wATsoN's FLEET.
The fact that several OF the vessels
selected for Watson's feet were in the
thick OF the engagement OF July Sd pro-
misses 10 delay somewhat the departure
or the eastern squadron for the shores
or Spain. The vessels have consumed a
good deal of coal, and. no doubt. have
expended large quantity OF their highest
grade OF ammunition in the furious at
tack on the steel warships of the Span
iards. 1t will be necessary to replenish
these stores before the long European
voyage is begun. However, Secretary
Long has given rush orders for the pre-
paration Of this squadron. and It certainly
viii be off in the course Of few days.
CAMARA PULLING.
The movements Of the Cadiz feet are
very puzzling to our experts here. Weak
ened. as It is. by the sending back of
the o-boat-destroyers. the Spanish
squadron bound for the Philippines seems
destined to go to as sure destruction as
did Cervera's unlucky ships, when they
headed west from the Cape Verde Islands.
The Spanish, without doubt. are fully
aware of the inferiority of their fleet. and
why they persist in sending it to be sunk
IN the Philippines is a mystery.
The Navy Department was advised to-
day that the squadron was passing
through the suez canal. and as the YES
sells must have paid the heavy toll re-
quired in advance. the indications are
now regarded as conclusive that the
ships are actually bound for the Philip
pines. This belief stimulates the prepara-
tions here for Watson's sailing. He will
strike straight after Camara who. in the
end is doomed to be caught between
Watson and Dewey.
NO FEVER ON THE YANKEE.
The report that the fine ship Yankee,
lying at Tompkinsville. just from Cuba,
has yellow-fever aboard. caused a good
deal Of worry at the department until
Captain Brownson telegraphed during the
day that there was absolutely no fever
on the ship, and that she was not in
quarantine.
ALFONSO XIII. DESTROYED.
Secretary Long regarded the report that
the Alfonso XIII. had been destroyed,
while trying to run the Habana blockade,
as the best news of the day. 1t had not
come 10 him in any direct official way,
but through report from General Gree
oh ybC hpA
a cipher message, stating briefly that the
Spanish ship had been overhauled near
Marel, while trying to get through the
blockade, and was a total loss as a result
of the fire upon her. Both the Secretary
and General Greeley regarded the report
as authentic, but there was a desire to
get more details. as this has been some
thing of a spectral ship.
The Alfonso XIII. was an iron gun
boat, with one screw, one funnel and one
military mast, barque-rigged, 2SO feet
long, of 43 feet beam, and 10 feet draught.
She had a displacement of 5000 tons. She
had a speed of seventeen knots for short
distances. and an average speed of four
teen knots. She carried eighteen large
guns, five machine-guns, and five torpedo
tubes. Her officers and crew numbered
30.
TO SAVE CERVERA SHIPS.
Secretary Long is quite hopeful that
several of the Spanish ships of the Ger
vera squadron can be saved in part at
least. and possibly as a whole. Assist
Allen shares in this belief
and thinks that the Cristobal Colon can
be gotten in docks as a whole, and the
guns made available. She was the best
,rmored cruiser in the Spanish navy, and
4 she can be aoated and repaired, will
make a valuable acquisition TO the
American navy. Mr.. Allen is hopeful,
also. that the Vizcaya and Oquendo can
be saved in part. Information has reach
ID the department that the hulls are not
BADLY damaged. The contract with the
Merritt Wrecking Company Is by the
law and may be cancelled at any time,
f the government finds the salvage is
,ot progressing satisfactorily. Two large
yrecking vessels left Norfolk to-day to
,egin work upon the Colon, Vizcaya and
Oquendo.
COTTON FOR HOSPITAL SERVICE.
onartermaster-G Ludington is go
NO IN sell the first bale OF cotton grown
- the United States this year for the
,ere6t Of the United States hospital SER
,co now so severely taxed by the war. a
1av or two ago President Mckinley re-
,e;ved from H. and b. Beer. Of New Or
cans the following letter:
eve express to-day to you the first bale
- cotton of the new crop, TO be disposed
n in such manner as you see fit, for the
benefit of the United States hospital
fund
The President sent this note to the War
with instructions to accept
-ha offer. and northumberland
.ndineton was charged with the sale OF
,ha hale. He is forwarding it to New
vorL IN the Produce Exchange, where it
,,,u he bid off at auction toward the end
- tho week. The expectation is that the
cotton will bring a fancy figure, in view
~ the use for which the money is de-
stined.
SPANISH CiPTIyEs MUTINY.