Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-18
WHEN WATSON WILL SAIL
Rushing Preparations for the Expedition to
Spain.
Orders Issued That Everything Must
BE Ready by the End of
the Week.

Preparations for sending Commodore Wat
sons eastern squadron to Spain have reach
a point where naval officials are consider
ing the exact day of departure, and despite
the statements of naval officers on board
the ships that considerable more time will
be required, it is said that positive orders
have been given that preparations must
be brought to a close at once with view
to having everything in readiness by the
end of this week. Two of the golfers
which are to accompany the expedition are
at Norfolk for the purpose of putting light
batteries on them. The officer in charge of
the work estimated that it would take two
weeks more to get these batteries together
and have them mounted. But this meant
more delay and an order was given that
the work be completed this week, or else
that the coiliers go without their light bat
teries. The same view Is taken as to the
condition of the ships. The fleet officers
would like to have the ships bottoms
scraped and considerable oyerhauling done;
but this means delay, and the disposition
here is to have the cleaning aud repairing
done as well as possible by the men on the
ships, SO that everything will be In readi-
ness by the end of the week or soon there
after.
The auxiliary cruiser Yankee will take
large cargo of ammunition to Commodore
Watson's squadron for use in its attack on
tho coast of Spain. The Yankee sailed
from Norfolk yesterday. She will reach
Santiago about Wednesday, and the big
stock Of ammunition will then be placed
aboard the battle ships and cruisers. This
transferrence of powder and shells IS a
delicate operation, requiring time. and it
Is probable that the week win be we'll
along before this and the recoaling of the
Yankee will permit the squadron to act
CalIy get under way for Spain.
Owing to the important mission of Com
modore Watson's squadron, and it's posi-
bility of lorg absence from an American
port, every magazine on the ships will be
full when the ships SAIL Admiral Samp-
son recently made the requistion for the
ammunition supplies, as these had run low
as a result Of the engagement with the
Cervera squadron and the frequent she'll
irg of Santiago. One load already has
been taken down On a supply ship. and the
Yankee now fills up the full quota. Each
battle ship win have about 200 tons of
powder, with fifty to seventy of the largest
12-inch or 13-inch shells, according to the
size Of the big guns. seventy to eighty S.
inch shells. 200 to 300 of the shells for g.
Founders and other medium-sized guns
and 500 to 500 rounds for the small rapid
fire guns. Tho cruisers carry approx
mately the same allowance, without the
shells for the IL and 13-inch guns
Aside from this equipment of shells, the
squadron is well provided with solid ar
mor-piercing steel shot. There has Eeen
no call for a renewal of the supply Of the
armor piercers. as Admiral Sampson's fleet
seems to have used very few of them thus
far. combining their work to the big ex-
piosive shells. The latter, although not
made for arnor piercing, are tested by the
Navy Department to pass through four
inches of solid steel, not exploding until
through the steel. They have done such
execution that Admiral Sampson has re-
served almost his entire stock of armor
piercegs.