Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-03-28
ScHLEy IS IN COMMAND.
Formally Takes Charge of the American FLY.
ing Squadron.


Hampton Roads, March 2s.-More
than usual enthusiasm was disnIa,,od
'ouaS by the officers and the men of
mat portion of the American fyine
squadron already assembled here whom
Commodore w. s, Schley took com
mand. There is always perfume.
tory duty to be done in such cases
nut the duty today was performed
with an ill-concealed enthusiasm that
bordered upon breach of discipline
oiiicers smiled however. The newly de-
'aiied commander could not in his
pleasure at such a greeting, find fault.
to their feelings
The Significance OF the pr.atp, ,y,,
IN the general feeling that the first step
towards the Completion of what will
De the real fighting squadron had
peen taken and the men apparentiv
were sratifed both with the step and
WIN the choice of commander, for
ooi''lio9ors schley IL known as fear
less and determined fighter.
Commodore Schley left Washington
last night and arrived at Fort Mon.
roe early this morning. He was met
by an ensign and boat crew of sail
ors who relieved him of his baggage
ana received Information that he would
20 ABOARD the brooklyn. which he has
designated as flagship.
AT $3.50, after breakfast mt the
chamberlain, the commander of the
Brooklyn, with some petty officers.
TOOK Commodore Schley aboard a
iaunch and conveyed him to the fleet
which lies near Newport News. The
commodore was in civilian dress but
was salnted with the usual formali-
ties as he passed up the Brooklyn's
companionway, to begin active service.
he was shown to quarters which are
more elaborate than upon any war
snip aiioat having been prepared for
EXHIBIT when the Brooklyn visited
england during the queens jubilee
Mltin a mar hour after boarding ship
commodore Sohley, In full uniform,
was ready to take command, and the
men Of tn y W. d-,,,,r,~J e..
quarters with the yards manned, the
hlaiihes on "eci. .-.... Vi..cvis ana gul-
ners at post.
Commodore sohley stepped TO the
me bridge Of the Brooklyn. and, read
lilg ms commission as commander took
possession. At the same instant his
nag was broken from the Brooklyn's
masthead and one OF the big guns
pelched forth a salute which was an
swered from the Massachusetts living
near; Then enthusiasm broke loose
ana thefe was rn"r OF a"nlnuse from,
X and yards. Shortly after
the officers OF the Lattleship Mssse.
chusetts came aboard and, together
with the officers of the BROOKLYN, paid
their respects. P'''"
The second step In the formation OF
the squadron will take place this week. |
When the assignment OF vessels is |
complete. For speed and strength
this squadron will be unexcelled. Al
present the battleship Massachusetts |
or lo'2SS tons and capable of Is knots |
an hour, and the protected flrst-clnss |
cruiser Brooklyn, of 9.271 tons and |
nucleus of that squadron.
During the week IL il expected the |
Minneapolis, of 1876 tons, with a |
speed of % knots and the Columbia, |
OF 6,i35 tons, with speed Of 23 knots |
will be added.
While these fighting ships are rated |
as cruisers only they are OF tyne |
equal to the best battleshlps of Spain. |
The Brooklyn, particularly, Is the |
highest type of the fighting machine |
an It's equipment of rapld-hre guns ex- |
ceeds both in number and calibcr any |
frst-class battleship of Spain.
In speed the squadron viii be unex |
celled. its average speed. even IL it |
waits for the heavy battloship Mnssa- |
chusetts. being 2i.5 knots. The four |
best boats in the Spanish feet average |
but 1856 knots.
Commodore schley said this morning
TO the Associated Press representa- |
tive;
81 have no orders to move, nor do 7 |
know when any will come. We are |
notice upon the completion of the |