Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-04-23
THE FLEET SAILS.
North Atlantic Squadron Leaves Key West and
Cuba Is Under Blockade.

Key West. Fla. April 22.-The North
Atlantic squadron. except the monitors
Terrier and Puritan and the smaller
cruisers, sailed from Key West at sd
O'Clock, this morning, headed for the
Florida straits. The skies We're grow
ing gray with the coming dawn when
the Formidable family of destroycrs
quietly and unostentatiously steamed
away, presumably for the shores of
Cuba.
Besides the two monitors the shi"s
left behind are the gunboat Helena,
cruisers Marblehcad, Detroit. dispatch
boat Dolphin and the torpedo boa15
Gushing, Porto and Ericsson.
The exact order Of the ships could
not be ascertained from the shore.
From the highest point at Key West
the line was semi-circular. The ships
that followed the three leaders We're
the cruisers Cincinnati, Detroit. Nash
VILE the gunboats Wilmington. Cas-
tine Machas, Newport, monitor Am
phtrite. the cable repair boat Man
grove. torpedo boat destroyer May
flower and torpedo boats FOote. Dupont,
Porter and Winsow.
Why the powerful monitors Puritan
and Terror did not accompany the fleet
could not officially be learned but it is
said they may follow shortly The
Marblchead is taking on water and
doubtless viii join the squadron in
day or two. The Fern went to Tampa
for ammunition for the fleet and will
take it to Havana. or wherever the
fleet may lie stationed
The departure of the fleet was no so
imposing as had been anticipated on
the contrary there was something Of a
scramble in getting away. When all
was ready, the flagship swung around
and came Well into the harbor, signal
ling to the other ships about to sail.
After receiving responses she turned
and headed FOR the open sea With the
rear. The Indiana had been coaling at
Dry Tortugas. but was cahled for. ana
at midnight she joined her two sister
ships at the anchorage held by the
three while in the harbor. The gun
boat Machas lay nearest to the three
big warships and was first to swing
her squat bulk into line. She was fol
lowed by the Newport, which lay out
side.
OF the fleet lying close to shore Ine
Amphitrite was the leader She lum-
bered along after the Machias, her i'm
mcnse guns stretching above her low
freeboard. She was the first of tine
monitors to join the warlike process
sion, looking the deadly instrument she
is. Then came the Nashville. her
three smokestacks distinguishing her
from the others. With the gunhoat Viii
mngton alongside.
The CaStine was next little COM
pared With the other members Of the
truculent family, but she looked game
for bloody work should the fortunes of
war 50 demand. The Cincinnati was
delayed little time, as she was coal
ing from a schooner off Fort Taylor
when the signal to sail was given. but
she next got into the Jagged line.
The other ships of the fleet followed
in no very mathematical formation, as
viewed by the shore spectators The
Mayilower brought up the rear of the
parade and was one of the last to fade
from view.
The torpedo boats did not start until
O'Clock, when most of the line was
under way, but as if to exhibit then
were lost from sight in the forward
group.
The monitors Puritan and Terror Law
side by side, coaling from a large
barge which was between them. thef,
decks crowded with officers and Blue
Jackets observing the naval pageant
1t is believed the two monitors are t,
follow the rest Of the squadron.
Following the floating forts was tn,
fleet of newspaper disnatch bn,1s
numbering about 20.
Cuban pilots accompanied the fleet
Juan Santo was on board the New
York; Pedro Hernandez was aboare