The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-26

the nation Norfolk ana portsmouth,
where half n score of vessels OF war
are under repair for assistance III the
conflict. Newport News, the great coallng
place Of the coast. and where the battle
ships kentucky and Kearsarge are be-
ing constructed. Annapolis. the Naval
Academy of the nation, Richmond,
great city of the South. and Fort Mon
roe, the key to the land situation, mas
been declared in q state of paclhc block
AIDE from sunset to sunrise, and no yes
sells will be allowed TO enter Hampton
Roads between the hours that marx
that period.
The enforcement of this pacific block
ade. established for precautionary pur-
poses. is put not in the hands of naval
officials ut the present here with the
FLYING Squadron, but Is carried out by
the army officials located at Fort Mon
roe. Under the direction of Captain
Casey of the United States Army En-
gineer Corps, mines has been laid be-
tween Capes Henry and Charles. and
above them both III the Chesapeake and
James outlets of Hampton Roads, and
the arduous work of yesterday COM
pletcd them 1t is therefore dangerous
for vessels to come i'll at night for fear
the mines will by accident be exploded.
A patrol force of vessels. either owned
or chartered by the Army Department.
was therefore sent out tonight, and I'LL
ships were warned and ordered to lay
to until day. At that time the picket
fleet will act as escort to vessels that
have been held up during the night and
will escort them through the lines of
L. Il x4~hI nh hlt
Dor is now lined
The Washington, Norfolk and Rich
mond steamers were allowed to leave to-
night as usual, but beginning tomorrow
night they will have to leave before sun
set in time to be clear of the harbor.
The squadron is on the most warlike
kind of a footing tonight. picket
feet of steam cutters is out for the en-
time night, fully armed, the. officers of
the deck and the marine sentries are
armed and some of the gun squads sleep
at the guns. Engines are coupled, full
steam is up and anchors have been
sighted. so that there will be no delay
in starting.
Up to nightfall the Montgomery had
not come down from Norfolk to escort
the Panther to Key West with its eight
hundred marines. The Montgomery,
with its rapid fire guns, the Morrill, and
the Sioux. with their fast batteries, and
the Panther, with its complement of
eight rapid fire guns. it is believed will
form too formidable a fleet for any
enemy near this coast.
The news of the whereabouts of the
Columbia was received with surprise to-
day, and wonder expressed at the rea-
sons for sending her 60 the New Eng
land coast. If. however, the San Fran
cisco and New Orleans join this fleet. it
will be strengthened for its anticipated
meeting with the Cape de Verde fleet of
Spain.
The Rodgers, torpedo boat, came in to-
day after being forty-eight hours at sea-
and ran mp to Norfolk for slight repairs
She found that one of her plates had
sprung. because of the wrench she gave
herself in running on sand bar last
week. The repairs will take but short
time, and she will be ready to join the
fleet at Key West.
All the ships Of the squadron coaled to-
day in full for what they have burned
while waiting here. The Solace. an in
neyation in Naval construction. is COM
pleted and may leave for Key West with
the Panther convoy.
Her hull is painted white with Il green
band around it. She is ship of $500
tons, and has speed of II knots. so
she can easily follow the fleets of Amer-
Gu. Carrying the flag of the Geneva Red
Cross, it is not believed that she will
even be threatened by the enemy.
Every comfort and convenience for
wounded officers and men will be found
on this floating hospital. and never be-
fore have there been such provided for
battles on the water There are hunks
for the wounded. plenty of operating la
bles, large steam launches to circulate in
and out of the fleet and take away the
wounded. The launches will undoubt-
eddy save many officers and sailors from
death by drowning. The wounded will
be carefully taken by cables and tackles
forward, and as soon as they are on the
deck of the Solace, carried to the operat-
ing room. or taken to the hunks. There
are operating rooms for use Of officers
and sailors, bath rooms, convalescine
rooms, n laundry, disinfecting machines
quarters for officers and crew of the
ship, and there will be on board a corps
of trained nurses from New York.
II is believed that the steamers Juanita
and Howard, belonging to the Merchants
and Miners Transportation Company
and running between Norfolk. Boston
Baltimore, Providence and SavaItlah
will be purchased by the United State;
government for its use.
Whether they will be converted int
cruisers or used for transportation
ships, is not known.
The Howard is in here, and the worl
OF unloading her cargo was pushed for
ward during yesterday and last night
The Juanita is now on her way to Nod
folk. and on her arrival. the same pro
gramme Of speedily unloading will b.
carried out.
These steamers are well known
stauncli. stout and seaworthy, and woul,
be valuable additions to the Navy o
the United States.
1t is only few months since the Juan
ita, a new ship. made her first trip I
Norfolk from Boston. and she is quit
UP to the same standard.
The harbor late tonight presents
most warlike appearance. The guar
feet of the fort stops all vessels an
warns them Of danger after passing thei
papers. They are also told that the
h., In, fprt,f ~.