New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-20
YOSEMITE BACK IN PORT.
TER GUN PRACTICE PROVED SUCCESS
Full AT SEA

NAVAL RESERVES ARTIILERYMnN 90
SOUTH FROM FORT MONROE
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE rnrpuyp1
Newport News. Va. May 19.-The cruiser
Yosemite which went out to sea yesterday
morning TO test her armament and engage in
gun practice. returned to Hampton Roads this
afternoon at O'clock and resumed her former
anchorage. She is the only warship in sight at
Old Point.
In speaking tonight Of the result Of the
twelve hours target practice an officer from
the Yosemite who came ashore to send dis
patches stated: Everything went of like a.
charm. and the Yosemite demonstrated that she
is splendid fighter and can be easily handled
in action and under her own fire. In view Of
the fact that the ship formerly a merchant
man. II was at first believed that the Yosemite
would not be able to stand broadside Of FIVE
5-inch guns discharged simultaneously but tests
OF this kind were made and the result was en-
tirely satisfactory
When asked about report that Of the
guns had exploded. causing considerable damage
to the ship and inJuring some Of the crew. the
officer interviewed stated that no accident Of
any kind happened in his knowledge. The
Michigan Naval fNeSeTVeS udO their uret expe-
rience at sea on warship and with guns OF
modern pattern Although they worked no
wonders with the little red barrel targets. II Is
said they proved themselves to be adept Com
mander Emory will make frequent trips to sea
10 enable his naval militia gunners to get their
hands in.
FIRST VESSEL AT SEA MANNED BY RE-
SERVES.
cruiser to go 10 sea manned solely by members
Of the Naval Reserves. The Dixie was expected
TO leave the shpyard this morning for Old
Point. and the men were kept aboard all day
in anticipation of sailing orders They did not
come and in the afternoon tho crew was allowed
shore liberty
The shipyard officers have again been directed
10 hold themselves In readiness TO 30 right
ahead with the work OF conversion on the
dynamite cruiser Buffalo. formerly the Nlcthe-
roy as soon as shc ties UP at the yard. Next
Tuesday Is the day set for the arrival OF the
Buffalo. The Navy Department has not yet de-
cided whether or not 1t will retain the Brazilian
purchase as a dynamite cruiser or convert her
into an auxiliary cruiser. after the plan or ner
sister ships the Dixie and the Yosemite
The British steamship NTH arrived here TO-
day from Pensacola. Fla. for coal on her way
10 Rotterdam Captain Brown passed the Fly
ing SQUADRON off the Florida coast. The fleet
he said was divided, three Of the ships moving
10 the southwest while the other two. one or
which carried the commanders flag the BrooK-
lvn seemed to be moving as II TO put IN at
the Florida keys.
Csntain Brown also passed a United states
Warship ten hours south of the virginia capes'
He reported no name, the ship was SIMPLY cruls-
ing around slowly, and did not even hall MIN
for his papers. although 1t ran close by 10 MAKE
sure of his ships nationality.
ARTILLERY OFF FOR TAMPA
Battery II, Of the 4th United States Aruliery'
lef, OLD Point shortly after noon to-day on
harse for Norfolk, where 1t was transferred TO a
train for Tampa There was a big demonstra-
ton when the men reached the pier from the
Cor, The procession was headed by the fort
bond. and when the hotels were reached thou-
sands Of people had assembled to DID the Boys
farewell The band played National airs ana the
people cheered. Women said goodby to their
husbands and sweethearts, and American hags
were waved.
AS the barge left the wharf the cheers were
rsneated and The soldiers answered them heart
az The tugboat whistled and Battery II was
Of with the cheers and farewells or ne people
assembled still ringing in their ears me pan pan
terry will go direct to Tampa "here i, . S,otns
be in camp with the rest Of the United states
troops there. ,A ,h
The report that Spanish spies cut me SUD.
marine cable attached to the mines AT OId POINT
cannot be confirmed In fact. the cables nave
not been cut at ALL as far az official Information
reveals There are two lines on cables a'Idcntu
IN each of the mines, one being charged WIN
electricity by which the mines can be eXploneu'
and the other being attached 70 the anchorase
which holds the mines. These latter capes W.
az hrst not fas tened to the mines securely. ana
{. was several II these that broke away al,oW,
ing The mines to float the surface. only held
bv the electric wire. ..
Tho mines were not floating around the harbor
loose IL was also reported that warshii,
rrazed one Of the mines on leaving harbor ana
n9iciarv The vessel in question NAV nave
crazed one Of the harmless huoys which marx
the channel causing the report 10 ernahdie. me
work Of making the mines fast TO IN" ahch"Is
&c being pushed 20 completion to-day IN the
absence Of General Frank at Governors Island.
where he has gone 20 take FORMAL c1aiSc VI w
Merritt. Colonel u. J. Marye is acting co'h-
Ynandant at Fort Monroe.