Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-24
FLYING SQUADRON.
Nor. NOW UNDER THIRTY MINUTES
SAILING ORDERS.


NEW PORT NEWS. W. Npt" &
,SpeciaID-It Is autholitatiNeiy "''''" Z"
Qua Point Comfort this evening thal 'n'
living SQUADRON as yes has receives '''
sailing orders ana is no longer unoe'
~. ,n,ytv-minute orders. before reported
The day has been spent by me war
shlps and their crews in the usu'u man
ner. firing at red-blanket targets p"S'eO
IN HAMPTON Roads on barrel hoa's'
renort comes from semi-oihciaI
source this afternoon that 1t IS not un'
likely that either the Brooklyn OF inc
Minneapolis. or possibly bo,h Of these
feet cruisers. may be sent out 10 meet
and convey back TO New YORK the paia-
tial palace steamship Paris, Of the Amer
lean Line.
The latest decision of the Navy Dc
partment. according TO Information re-
ceived from officers at old Point Is TO
retain the squadron at Hampton Roads
or vicinity. as headquarters FOR the puf-
pose Of defending the North Atlantic
coast.
II is possible that the ships of the
squadron. in the event they remain al
home. will be as follows:
Battleship Massachusetts. retained at
Hampton Roads TO cooperate with Fort
Monroe.
Battleship Texas at Port Royal. 5. G.
Protected cruiser Columbia. at Della
ware breakwater.
Protected cruiser Minneapolis. at Bos-
ton.
Flagship Brooklyn. at the Virginia
Capes, 10 be centrally located ana Wthlh
reach Of telegraph station.
This assignment of ships is made on
the authority Of a naval ofhcer II Will
only hold good in the event the squadron
is destined to be held for the protection
OF the North American coast
FURNISHING FUEL.
1t is reliably stated here this afternoon
that the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad
and Coal Agency has secured the con-
tract for furnishing fuel TO all warships
which may be quartcrcd either in tho
James river or Hampton Roads. This
contract was really secured by Mr.. c. j.
circuit. who. as we'll as being president
OF the Newport News Shipbuiding and
Dry-DOck Company is president of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Coal Agency. The
contract calls for the famous New-riVer
coal from the West Virginia district.
When Mr.. circuit left here i'm the early
part of the week. he stated that he would
secure this contract, and the informa-
ton received here to-day bespeaks his
success.
Some time ago press dispatches stated
that the steamer Shawmut a collier ply
ing between Newport News and New
England ports had been purchased by
the government for conversion into am
auxiliary cruiser. and that she had been
ordered 10 the Boston navy-yard TO have
the necessary repairs made Ii is au-
thoritatvely learned here that this re-
port is unfounded. as yet. The yShawmut
took on a cargo Of coal here yesterday
and sailed for Boston. However il is a.
fact that the government inspectors have
decided TO recommend the Shawmut for
purchase. and she may be sold on her
arrival ct Boston.
WILL NOT BE BOUGHT.
The AppOmattox and Michigan will not
be bought by the government. Both ships
commenced 10 load yesterday evening
and will sail for their original destina-
tion.
The armor plate which was tested at
Indian Head yesterday for the Koar-
sarge. and of which $50 tons was pur-
chased by the government. will arrive
here on Monday. and will be- attached TO
the big hull as soon as possible.