The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-04-06

hey West, Fla, Mafcn '1.-Dul
ing the past few days it has beer ap-
parent that the warships have net
ceased to make ready for emergen-
cies. They have continued to I'll! up
with coal and provisions, as we'll as
to redouble their supply Of NUM-
tions and explosives.
The picket ships have been con-
stantly on the alert between this
city, Tortugas and Havana, but
their varied missions, often very hur.
id, are wholly unknown to out
siders. The flagship New York con-
tinues at anchor, just outside of the
reefs, where she directs movement OF
the feet, and stands like some great
sentinel at the entrance to the bar
Dor. The cruisers, only recently
immaculate in their guilt and white
coats, now lock more serious in their
drab and black co]ors, which they
donned few days ago.
The naval station is scene OF tu-
multuous activity, where all the vast
surplus munitions and provisions are
stored, while the coal yards are be-
ing rapidly extended, sacrificing in
this wo,k some old cocoanut trees,
which have stood guard there for
three or four generations.
The streets are still crowded and
overrun with naval officers and
marines, taking brief respite ashore
from the monotonous existence
aboard ship. The bodies OF the
Door upfortunates taken from the
Maine continue to arrive every few
days, and are given military burial at
the cemetery. Old Fort Taylor is
being fitted with new guns, and its
antiquated Columbians are being
primed for use in any close action.
The immense guns for the new
mortor battery are expected to arrive
tomorrow, and will be Immediately
mounted. These guns are capable
of destroying an enemys warship FIVE
miles away.
Recruiting in both the army and
navy continues, and it is commend
able to observe, in the face of posi-
BILE war, that a greater number ttan
uaual have applied for admission
into the ranks.
The naval machine shops, which
had been practically closed for a
long time, have been reopened and
numerous machinists and mechanics
present busy scene. It has also
been decided to Immediately enlarge
the facilities of these shops, and the
contract has been let to that end, in
the past few days.
Agents CT the navy department
have secured options on all the large
vacant buildings in the city, which
could be used for hospital purposes.
and the Cltholic convent has been
rendered for the same purpose by
the Sisters to the government in case
of hostilities.
The work OF deepening the harbor
and approaches to the naval dock is
progressing so that the largest war
ships can soon lay alongside for coal
We are all watching and waiting, not
knowing what day may bring forth
The navy department Monday sent
telegraphic orders to the auxiliary
board at New York to purchase i'm
mediately 10 vessels for the auxiliary
navy. These boats are to be between
1000 and 10000 tons burden, and
the board is directed to conclude the
purchases as soon as possible.
Key West, Fla, April "a tug
endeavored to pass the flagship New
York too close last night, and did
not answer the signals of the war.
ships, whereupon four-pound shot
was fired across her bows. Those on
board the tug received a severe
fright After the investigation which
followed, the tug was allowed to pro-
ceed into this harbor. The call to
quarters and the firing of the shot
was done with extraordinary rapid
ity, and showed to what pitch Of
alertness this >feet has attained.