The times., 1898-06-28


three new cruisers. fine ships, but these
are not yet ready for service. They are
the Princesa d d'Asturias. the Cardinal CiS-
neros and the Catalonia.
The facts as to the final adoption of the
plan 10 attack Spain herself were learned
by a Times reporter last night When
the Administration found that Camara
had left Cadiz over week ago and en-
tered the Mediterranean the Navy De-
partment requested the State Depart
ment to have the American consuls in the
Mediterranean watch the fleet very care
fully. 1t was then thought possible that
Camara might intend TO sail for the Phil
ipplnes.
on Thursday the State Department
learned that the fleet had been seen off
Pantellaria, near Sicily, headed for Port
Said.
Last Saturday the Naval War Board
called on Secretary Day and had long
conference over the matter. of watching
the fleet. Secretary Day put the entire
machinery of the consular service in the
Mediterranean at the service of the Navy
Department. II was pointed out to him
how important IL was that early and
complete intelligence should be received.
not only Of the movements of the vessels,
but Of their strength and condition. 1t
was suggested that Port Said would be an
excellent place TO watch the fleet for all
these matters.
Yesterday morning the news was
ceived that the fleet had reached Port
Said. Within very short time the or
der had gone to Commodore Watson TO
form the Eastern squadron.
Later in the day the American consul
at Port Said requested the Egyptian gov
ernment not 10 allow the fleet to coal at
that port or at Suez.
1t is understood that this request was
complied with and that the feet is still
at Port Said for this reason, and also
because the canal tolls have not yet been
paid by Camara-
Dispatches from Spain yesterday told
of recent activity of the Spanish military
authorities in strengthening the fortifica-
tions at Cadiz. 1t is known also that
much has been done in the same way at
other ports This has been done I'M
doubtedIy, under the belief that America
might send a fleet TO Spanish waters
The squadron that Commodore Watson
viii take with him from Santiago Is COM
posed as follows:
Newark, flagship, commanded by
Capt A s. Barker; protected cruiser;
six-inch rapid fire rifles; IS to I9 knots
Oregon, commanded by Capt. C E
Clark; first-class battleship; 3iS feet
long; 0,2SS tons; is guns in first battery.
including l3-inch rifles; 1913 knots; heav-
ily armOred.
Iowa. commanded by Capt r. D. Ev-
ans: first-class battleship; $50 feet long;
Il. 40 tons; Is knots; IS guns in first bat
tery, including 12-inch rifles; heavily ar
mored.
Yosemite, commanded by Commander
William H Emory; cruiser; steel
sheathed decks; II knots; 5-inch rapid
fire rifles.
Dixey. commanded by Commander c. H
Davis; same description, except 6-inch ri
fles.
rv-l,oa ,,-,-,a,da5 nv or,-,arae-
Willard H. Brownson, same description.
fiye-ineh rifles.
IN many ways the Oregon is consid-
cred the finest ship IN the American Navy.
She has long-steaming radius. the heaV-
lest guns in the Navy. thirteen-inch, is
heavily armored. and has made over six
teen l0nots an hour. Since she was built
she has had remarkable record, in ev-
cry way. for seaworthiness and general
utility. Her recent trip around the Horn
without a break in her machinery or the
necessity for an hours repairs is con-
sidered a remarkable achievement The
Oregon was built at Mare Island. Cal.
and Is considered a fine evidence Of III.
ability CT the Pacific coast u produc'
good ships The navy people are glad 10
see her chosen for the squadron foi
Spain. They believe she viii add TO hel
good record by showing fine fighting
qualities if she has a chance Capt. Clark
Is
GERS in the Navy.
The Iowa is similar to the Oregon in
almost all particulars. She IS a heavier
and bigger ship. Her largest rifles are L
inch. There is little to choose between
her and the Oregon. II IS said that her
armOr Is more effectively placed Capt
Robley D. Evans is one of the most wide
ly known and popular men in the Navy,
BE has been desiring very much TO get
into real fighting while his feet has beer
engaged In the blockade Of Cuba. It is
said by naval officers almost to a man
that he will make a brilliant record if ht
has half a chance.
The Newark. Commodore Watson's flag
snip, has been out of commission for q
long time undergoing a thorough rebuild.
ing It IS the opinion of experts who
have seen her since she was finished that
she Is now one Of the most formidable
cruisers in the navy. She is fit in every
way with new boilers and machinery.
new armament of 5-inch rapid fire rifles
and a smooth. clean hull She is capable
or ls knots an hour. Capt. Barker. her
commander, is one of the most efficient
ofhcers IN the navy. He was formerly
commander OF the Oregon and until last
month was on the Naval War Board.
II was one Of the criticisms Of naval Of
hceTs when he left the board that its
clearest-headed man was gone.
Some surprise was manifested AT tho
Navy Department yesterday over the
choice Of the Yosemite. Dixie and YANKEE
as the cruisers for the feet in addition
10 the Newark. Many naval officers ex.
pressed the belief that the BROOKLYN and
New York should have been chosen o1
one Of these fast and formidable arnnored
cruisers at least.
II was stated at the Navigation Bureau
10 reporter for The Times that the three
cruisers chosen have very large coal ca.
pacity, and are for this reason -exralJentI,
fitted for the campaign so far from !
coaling station. These three cruiser,
nave been given steel sheathine for theil
decks since they were acquired by tn
Government In this way they are su
perior to the Harvard and Yale. which
might have been chosen otherwise. The,
are sufficiently speedy for almost am
work that may be given them on III,
other side of the Atlantic and are severa
knots better than the colliers. They bav,
been armed with five and six-inch raDi,
fire rifles.
The ships were purchased from th,
Morgan line al the beginning of the war
Ihey were the best ships of that line en-
gagged In passenger and freight transnor
tation between New York and Nov or
leans before the war Their former name
We're El Norte, FL Rio and El Sud The,
are hne and swift steamers
Ihe three commanders for these cruis