The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-03-29
AMERICAN FLYING SQUADRON
COMMANDER SCHLEY TOOK COM
MAND YESTERDAY.
A Perfunctory Duty Performed With
Illy-concealed Enthusiasm-Spee
and Strength of Our Flying Fleet.

Fort Monroe, Va, March 2S.-(With
the American flying squadron).-Hamp-
ton Roads, March 2S.-More than usual
enthusiasm was displayed today by the
officers and men of that portion of the
American flying squadron already as
sembled here when Commodore w. S.
Schley took command. There is al
ways a perfunctory duty to be done
in such cases, but the duty today was
performed with an ill-concealed enthu-
siasm that bordered upon a breach of
discipline. Officers smiled, however.
The newly detailed commander could
not in his pleasure at such a greeting.
find fault. and the men were allowed
to give vent to their feelings.
The significance of the greeting was
in the general feeling that the first step
towards the completion of what will be
the real fighting squadron had taken
and the men apparently were gratified
both with the stop and with the choice
of commander, for Commodore. Schley
is known as a fearless and determined
fighter.
Commodore Schley left Washington
last night and arrived at Fort Monroe
early this morning. He was met by an
ensign and a boat crew of sailors who
relieved him OF his baggage and re-
ceived information that he would go
aboard the Brooklyn, which he has
designated as flagship.
At $3.50. after breakfast at the cham
berlain the commander of the Brook
Ign. with some petty officers. took Com
modore Schley aboard a launch and
conveyed him to the fleet which lies
near Newport News. The commodore
was in civilian dress, but was Saluted
with the usual formalities as he passed
ILL
begin active service. He was shown
to quarters which are more elaborate
than upon any warship affoat having
been prepared for exhibit when the
Brooklyn visited England during the
queens jubilee. Within a half hour
after boarding ship, Commodore Schley,
in full uniform, was ready to take COM
drummed to quarters, with the yards
manned. the marines on deck and Off
GERS and gunners at post.
Commodore Schley stepped to the
bridge of the Brooklyn, and. reading
his commission as commander, took
possession. At the same instant his
flag was broken from the Brooklyn's !
masthead and one of the big guns
helched forth a salute which was an
swered from the Massachusetts lying
near. Then enthusiasm broke loose and !
there was q roar Of applause from the /
deck and yards. Shortly after the Off
GERS of the battleship Massachusetts |
came aboard and, together with the |
officers Of the Brooklyn, paid their re-
spects.
The second step in the formation of |
the squadron will take place this week, |
when the assignment of vessels is COM |
plete. For speed and strength this |
squadron viii be unexcelled. At pres
ent the battleship Massachusetts. of /
lO,2SS tons and capable of IS knots an /
hour and the protected first class
cruiser Brooklyn, of 9,271 tons, and
capable Of - knots an hour, form the
nucleus of the squadron.
During the week it is expected the
Of 1875 tons. with speed
IF % knots. and the Columbia, of 6.735
tons. with a speed of % knots. will be
added
While these fighting ships are rated
as cruisers only. they are a type equal
10 the best battleships of SPAIN The
Brooklyn, particularly, is the highest
-ype of the fighting machine and its
equipment of rapid-fire guns exceeds
both IL number and caliber any first
lass battleship of Spain.
In speed the squadron will be unex-
'elled, its average speed, even if it
waits for the heavy battleship Massa-
;husettS. being 2l.5 knots. The four
'est boats in the Spanish fleet average
'ut lS.5 knots. Commodore Schiey said
his morning to the Associated Press
Il have no orders to move, nor do I
NOV when any will come We are
eady to move at the shortest kind of
iotlce upon the completion of the feet"