Evening star., 1898-04-16
FLYING SQUADRON DRILLED
Battle Ships and Cruisers Maneuvered at
Sea.
Line Of Battle Formed and ships
Cleared for ActiOn-Spleniid
Work With Guns.

A dispatch from the Associated Press
correspondent on the flagship Brooklyn
filed at Fortress Monroe, Va, last night
says: The flying squadron, the departure
Of which caused so much excitement on
Wednesday, returned today to anchorage
at Fortress Monroe, after having completed
two days and two nights OF arduous labor
with satisfaction to its commanding officer.
Commodore Schiey wanted the captains Of
the fleet to know each other in the move
ment of their vessels. and to be able to an
swer quickly to all signals for movements
likely to be made in an engagement. Run
ning down to Cape Henry on Wednesday
afternoon, the squadron was taken fifteen
miles out to sea. at the same time maneI-
vering in response to the signals from the
flagship.
All Of the big vessels responded quickly,
the heavy battle ships Massachusetts and
Texas being especially and surprisingly
quick. Line Of battle was formed with the
Brooklyn on the right, the Massachusetts
to the right of the Brooklyn. the Minne-
apolis to the left of the Massachusetts,. the
Columbia next and the Texas on the ex-
treme left The signal to anchor In line
was obeyed so well that an almost perfect
alignment was obtained. Anchorage was
made on Wednesday night fifteen miles east
of Cape Charles light, near the southern
drill ground.
Thursday morning found very unfavora-
BILE conditions for either maneuvering or
using the guns, the weather being intense
ly disagreeable, with a heavy rain and hail
storm and a high sea, but Commodore
Schley decided to go out and begin the
maneuverfng. The Massachusetts dipped
her low nose in the water time after time.
taking up tons of water, but was handled
beautifully, coming up to alignment or
circling more quickly than light cruiser
The other vessels were also quick to re-
spond to signals. The drill was kept up all
day. and at nightfall anchorage was made
at a point thirteen miles from Cape
Charles. After dark signal work by elec-
trio light was practiced for two hours.
Quick Response to Battle Calls.
At o o'clock, when most Of the officers
and men had prepared to retire, the call to-
quarters and battle calls were sounded. On
the Brooklyn SO quickly was the work done
that every division officer had reported
ready in four minutes and the ship was
ready for battle. with water-tight compart-
ments closed. ammunition hoisted to guns,
turrets swinging, battle matches down and
the crews at the guns ready to shoot. The
other ships reported almost as quickly.
Friday morning was given up to practice
at the guns, all the ships putting out tar
gets at eight hundred yards. The gunners
on the Brooklyn cut the flag from the top
of their target within twenty minutes, re-
markable work, when 1t is considered that
the target Vas only eighteen inches square
ana the uaSStdu only TWO lncneS VIDE.
At / O'Clock the ships were signaled by
Commodore Scl,ley to head for Hampton
Roads for anchorage. with the exception
of the Texas. which was ordered to remain
out and try her big guns and improved tur-
rets with solid shot. The rest Of the squad
ron anchored or Fortress Monroe at about
3 O'Clock.
Commodore Schley Pleased.
Commodore Schley expressed himself as
nue.. pleased with the work of the cap
tains of the vessels under his charge. The
maneuvers of the boats and the work of
the crews at the guns were both highly
pleasing. He called particular attention to
the rapidity with which the call to quarters
on the Brooklyn was responded to. He also
called attention to the target practice Of
the raptd-hre guns, saying: II don't think
any torpedo boat would live under that
FIRE."
The Texas ran into Hampton Roads about
O'Clock and joined the squadron. Captain
Philip said that the new turret arrange
ment had worked satisfactorily, and the
big guns could be loaded by Lieukenant
HAsslers new automatic arrangement q