The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-04-17
COAL FOR SPANISH SHIPS.
While Our Own Wait at Norfolk Vainly
for Supply.

Fort Monroe, Va. April 16.-Indigna-
ton of more than desultory character
was expressed among the officers of the
Flying Squadron to-day, irrespective OF
rank. over what they believe TO be a
studied insult by the Norfolk contrac-
tors who furnish coal to government
vessels or else cupidity rising above
patriotism that is equally reprehensible
All morning and until 2 o'clock this
afternoon the Brooklyn, Texas and
Massachusetts wanted coal to lbe served
them. This coal had been ordered at
4 o'clock yesterday afternoon when the
squadron arrived here, and should have
been delivered by s o'clock. Telephone
messages seemed TO have no effect and
il sudden orders had come the fleet
would have had TO put to sea without a
sufficient complement of fuel.
Then it was announced that the con-
tractors for the United States govern
ment. VIM. Lamb and Company. agents
for Cashier. Curran and Bullitt, of
Philadelphia, had been busily engaged
loading 5000 tons of coal upon the
British tramp steamer Hampstead, des-
tined for st. Vincent, Cape Verde Is
lands. where the Spanish torpedo flotilla
IS assembled. Officers expressed their
opinion freely, Commodore Schley say
ing that if the rumor was true. it was
an outrage. and should be sufficient for
the United States to annul their con-
tract with such people When the coal
lighter arrived off the Brooklyn, Com
modore Scllley asked if it were true that
the English vessel had sailed with coal
and was informed that it had not but
was loading.
Captain Philip. of the Texas, said that
it was ID outrage and that the
contractors should be shut off from
government patronage.
Half an hour after Commodore Schley
had received his report an English tramp
steamer. supposed to be the Hamp-
stead, and heavily laden. went to sea.
dipping her colors to each vessel of the
fleet as she passed. A rumOr that the
government had issued an order stop
ping the transportation. if coal was pre-
valent. but naval officers agreed that the
sale of coal to any vessel flying a for
cign flag could not be denied or re-
stricted until Il state of war was declar-
ed. and coal made a contraband article.
The Sioux, one of the tug boats of the
mosquito fotilla. newly converted.
reached here last night and anchored
near the squadron. Its commander. a
naval cadet. reported to Commodore
Schley that the boat was not in sea-
worthy condition, its boiler not being
set 10 stand heavy seas rolling. but
only for smooth water. He was caught
III a very heavy gale and the boat came
very nearly being wrecked The engine
drain tubes and escapes are arranged
only for smooth water. The engineer
or the Brooklyn ordered some improve
ments made, and Commodore Schiey
said TO the young commander. never
hlld my boy, when You get TO fighting
y0ull look upon these troubles as mere
nothings"
All the vessels of the squadron will
DC coaied by noon tomorrow. No event
OF any consequence occurred to-day. and
no orders have been received
STOPPED FROM LOADING COAL
Norfolk, Va, April 1G.-The British
steamer Hampstead. Captain Bland
was stopped from loading coal Friday at
Lambert's Point. when it was found
that she was loading for St. Vincent
Cape dc Verde islands at which ro,t
two Of SPANS crack cruisers are now
lying. and that the Flying Squadron nm
der Commodore Schley was being do.
layed in its coaling until this cargo of
5000 tons was completed Evidently
hasty wires worked between Norfolk
New York and Washington. for after
a short time The loading was resumed
and the full cargo finished. hut Tho
steamer did not CO. Orders putting
her at indefinite stay were received and
today Captain Bland took his clearance
papers TO the custom house here and
delivered them uD.
The Naval Inspection Board paid &
visit to the Hampstead. thoroughly in
spected her and the chief engineer evi
IDENTIFY voiced the satisfaction and de
cision of the board. when, on leavina