The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-14
sTRIPpEp FOR ACTION.
The "Flying Squadron" Now at Sea,
liz Ready for Business.

He00y LOT bUHAneSSs
VIRGINIA BEACH. Va. April 13.-Com-
modore Schley started to move the flying
squadron to precisely at 2:30 O'Clock,
and by dark would have been many miles
from land but for the fact that the Mime
apolis foued her anchor chain and was de.
layed over two hours in an effort to free it.
Finally, when near Cape Henry, the Mime
apolis not having Joined the squadron, Com
modore Schley sent the Columbia back to
Fort Monroe to tell the Minneapolis that
she could find the rest of the squadron fif-
teen miles east of Cape Henry, where they
would wait her arrival. Beyond this fact
none of the officers or men on board the
Brooklyn were aware at o'clock of her
destination, and Commodore Schley de-
clIned to say what her mission was The
squadron presented a most imposing spec
taele when 1t finally got together. First
came the Brooklyn, then the Massachu-
sets. then the Columbia, then the Mime
apolis and finally the battle ship Texas
holding the left of line, the second place of
honor. They bowled along at a splendid
speed, and Commodore Schley said, as he
locked back on them from the bridge:
There's a good lot of fighters for you I'd
like to see anything that can whip them.
Tie Brooklyn had 504 men on board when
she left Fort Monroe, some having gone
not practice one, the first stop will be
made at Bermuda.
FORT MONROE. Va. April BIT be-
came known early in the forenoon that
Commodore Schley had received sailing or
ders, and Immediately the scene on the
ships and ashore became one of animation
Hundreds of persons crowded to the piers
and at II: 80 Commodore Schiey and num-
Der of other officers came off in the
launches to bid farewell TO their wives and
families, who have been stopping at the
hotels An affecting scene followed. The
ladies accompanied their sailor husbands
to the pier, tears streaming down their
cheeks, for none knew whether it was to
be a long farewell, or what would happen
before they meet again.
In the midst of the gOod-byeS the all
aboard gun doomed from the Brooklyn and
the officers stepped into the launches and
steamed quickly to their ships. There ali
activity and orderly confusion. Smoke
curled frcIl the great stacks, propellers
turned slowly and ther came the rattle of
the cables as the anchors left bottom and
were hoisted aboard. First the grim battle
ship Massachusetts got under way, fol-
lowed by the Columbia. Then the flagship
Brooklyn surged ahead. the Texas ciose
second. As the fleet began to gather head
way it was seen that the Minneapolis was
In trouble. Her cable had become fouled.
In the meantime the Brooklyn was lead
ing the fleet and heading straight for the
open sea. Far up the bay the four ships of
the squadro-' halted for the Minneapolis to
catch up, and after waiting an hour signals
were exchanged with the belated vessel.
After much hard wor the Minneapolis got
one OF her anchorS up or the port bow. But
then the tange was only half Strengthened
out. The pfher. with the heavy cable twisted
around it as if 1t had been tied in haste
by some giant of the deep, had TO be freed.
The DELAY evidently caused impatence on
hoard the flagship, for shortly before 4
o'clock the Columbia was observed steam
ing toward the Minneapolis. Signals were
EXCHANGED. and then the refractory anchor
came up, the big ship swung clear and the
two vessels were soon bound out at high
speed and at $50 o'clock not a trace of
Tonight it was reported on what is be-
lieved to be good authority that the squad
ron was ordered out on a practice cruise
and that the feet viii! return to Old Point
some time tomorrow The ships are
stripped for action and carry full supply
of provisions and ammunition