The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-05
PORTSMOUTH NEWS
NAVAL ORDERS,

oelaliS nave been. receiV-
ca at the Navy Department, Washing
ton, of the recent trip of the gunboat
NEWPORT from Key West to Greytown
WIN the Nicaragua Canal surveying
party on board. The vessel left Key
west December 18TH and arrived at
Greytown on the 18th. The latter half
vi the cruise was made principally
a e san and her sailing qualities were
tound 10 be highly satisfactory One of
the squalls for which the Caribbean Is
famous struck her while under sail
wthout causing any perceptible heel
ing. Approaching Greytown she did
not behave 50 well. however, the ground
sWells causing her to roll to her upper
iail ana giving her passengers a most
GunPleasaht experience. Arriving at
1reytown. the Nicaraguan Government
sent of Its representative on a Gov
eminent tug, the San Jacinto, to meet
Aumlfal Walker and the other COM
mlssioners. Their exit from the shin
was made In the way so characteristic
Oh the Central American countries, by
means OF n chain and tackle, each one
oenag lowered from the side OF the ship
10 the deck Of the lighter below, a
mode as disagreeable as 1t is novel.
On the arrival in port OF Admiral
walker. Colonel Hahn and MT. Haupt.
tney were met by the commandant and
received with the greatest formality
ana ceremony. as well as cordially.
rearing that the heavy sea at the
Time OH Greytown would prevent the
lanolhg OF the steam launches and other
material of the expedition, Captain
riley decided to leave on the 18th for
fort simon, Costa Rica, to secure the
necessary laborers for the working
parties, arriving at the latter place on
the same day. This mission did not
prove entirely successful. II being diff
11-tn
consequence of which failure the ship
VIII later go to Colon, hoping then with
out trouble to find the necessary men,
On the evening or the 18th the captain
ana officers of the Newport were given
reception by the Governor. a band
from San Jose, the Capital, furnished
the music. and many prominent Costa
tAcans were present. The morning
following the Newport fired national
salute to the port. In the afternoon
the Governor called and again the
Viewpoints guns honored him. The ship
returned the night of the goth to Grey
town III order to discharge the launches,
coal and other freight of the expedition.
Owing to the lack Of laborers, the or
ganization of the expedition Is sill
incomplete and work cannot at once he
commenced
There is Rivas Che west coasD
party. two San Juan parties, two river
gausing parties, one boring party and
precise level party. Aside from these
there Will be parties made up Of naval
otticers to do the sounding in the lake
and river The Rivas party will be
under the charge of Mr.. j. w. Walker,
the son OF Admiral Walker Around
Greytown the land Is low, swampy and
malarlous. AT this time of year, how
ever, no danger is to be apprehended to
any members of the expedition
The training, ship Essex arrived nj
santa Cruz Monday morning from ST.
Kits.
The gunboat Wheeling sailed from
san Francisco Monday morning for
Esquimault. B. c..
Information has been received on
board the U. S. S. Montgomery at
Charlotte Harbor, Fla, that during the
night of December 9th the revenue
cutter Mclean chased suspicious
looking steamer and also fred upon
her But the supposed filibuster kept
on her course. and. as the Somers y.
smith has not arrived at that place, Il
Is believed She may have been the YES
sci fired upon.
There are three expeditions fitting
out--one at Plant City, one at Barlow
and another at Punta Gorda. All the
channels are guarded and two more
revenue cutters are expected there.