New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-15
ARMY SAILS FROM TAMPA.
STARTED YESTERDAY MORNING.
THIRTY-FIvE TRANSPORTS AND FOUR
TEEN WARSHIPS IN THE FLEET

THIRTY-FIvE TRANSPORTS AND FOUR
TEEN WARSHIPS IN THE FLEET.
Tampa. Fla, June 14.-After weeks Of waiting
and preparation, the first army Of invasion to
start from the eastern shores OF the United
States departed under the command OF Gene
raj shatter this morning o'clock The fleet
Of transports consisted OF thirty-fve vessels
four tenders and fourteen conveys These are
all now on the Gulf OF Mexico, headed to the
southwark until they pass Key West at least.
II the destination be Cuba. they will continue
their present course until Cape Antonio at the
west of the island is doubled. when an easterly
course will be sailed until they reach the
vicinity OF Santiago.
As already stated in these dispatches the
actual embarkation OF the troops began on
Monday. June 6 The work proceeded diligently
until late on Wednesday afternoon. when, after
the departure OF several vessels. an important
order came calling a halt in the proceedings.
The Castine dispatched at once TO overhaul
the disappearing vessels and recall them They
all came back but one. the City of Washington.
1t has been subsequently learned. however that
this vessel had outstripped the messenger until
the coast OF Cuba was actually sighted. Neither
the Washington nor the Castne returned to Port
Tampa until Saturday.
The alleged cause OF delay was the repor
that the Hornet while out scouting had sighted
several Spanish vessels.
DISAPPOINTMENT AT DELAY.
Like wet blanket came the order TO halt
Cheerfulness displaced by keen disappolnt-
ment Two questions were every tongue.
Has Spain surrendered?' Has fleet met
with reverse?" The former met with the
readiest belief many believing the words in the
order Indefinitely postponed" meant peace.
The unloading OF the Florida, which had been
run into by the Miami and seriously damaged
last Wednesday. gave grounds for the rumor
that all the transports were being unloaded.
Newspaper men were confdentially told on FRI
day night that they had better go aboard The
following day it was openly stated that the
sailing would occur on Sunday noon.
THE ORDER TO SAIL CONES.
peated General Miles and his STAFF went to
Port Tampa Sunday morning at $50 20 deliver
parting instructions. During heavy rain squall
on Saturday night, at o'clock, while the trans
ports were stranng at their cables. the
little tug Captain sam steamed from ship to ship
megaphonlng the order, Stand ready 20 sail at
daybreak." Above the roar OF the storm wild
ming revealed the soldiers standing IN the rain
waving their wet hats and hurrahirg. When
morning broke the piers were lined with trans
ports. the decks crowded with box cars.
fatcars. stock cars. baggage and express cars.
Most OF these were crowded with soldiers. who
were cheered until their ears ached. and "oh
cheered in turn until hoarse.
Brght-colored dresses and fragile parasols In
the crowds OF bluecoats indicated the presence
NJ women Horses and mules were kicking up
clouds of dust. and the sun poured down Its
hot rays the sweterins mass Of humanity.
Thus Sunday passed. the transports at the
docks and those in midstream receiving ter
quotas Of men, and the materials TO sustain
them.
General Miles again went 10 the port Monday
on an early train Stirring scenes continued:
the mad rush had not aDatec. GeneraI Mics
from the observation end of his car watched
the crowd as 1t passed him. The trans
ports swinging at their moorings were plainly in
view. as were also many OF those at the docks.
The embarkaton of animals progressing
satisfactorily.
THE TRANSPORTS START.
Shortly after 0 o'clock the tunnels Of the
transports began TO pour forth volumes Of black
smoke The Ovette. the Margaret the Matoo
and the Laura were visiting the fleet. giving
water 10 one troops 10 another. animals and
eouipments to another. Along the pier could be
heard the voices of the transport commanders
"a they gave their orders to cut loose. The
gangplanks pulled in. the matches were
closed. lines cast or and the engines were put
in motion.
FLAGSHIP GIVES THE SIGNAL
The vessels backed into the bay and anchored
20 await the order TO sail. The Matteawan hove
her cable short at 10 o'clock. All eyes were
riveted on the Seguranca. the flagship, and when
the final signal a mighty cheer arose.
From the lower row Of portfolios to her top
hats were waved In wild delight The anchor
was quickly weighed. and the great vessel point
ed her PROV down the bay In few minutes
the City of Washington, the Rio Grande. the
Cherokee the IroQuo!s and the Whitney fan