The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-06-06
TO mobilize WARSHIPS
An Experiment With the Heavy
ArmOrclads.
Secretary Long Issues Orders to De-
termine How Quickly n Effective
Active seryice-TO he Used After
ward for the Summer Maneuvres.

Considerable interest has been aroused in
naval circles by the order issued yesterday
by Secretary Long. wherein the battle ships
Indiana. Massachusetts,, and Kearssrge
we're instructed to join the flagship New
York and the Texas at Newport. r. l.. with
the least possible delay The probe at
tempted to be solved by the Navy Derart-
ment is how quickly a squadron of ar
morelads may be mobilized at a given
point. To that end the orders were Issued
without any previous warning 70 the on
GERS concerned
Many directions were sent by telegraph
and letter to enable the problem to be
demonstrated properly. In order to remove
any apprehension as to the purpose of
these orders, Secretary Long SAID that tbs
only idea of the Department is issuing
them was TO determine how quickly por-
ton of the feet may be modified. and
be denied. in answer to questions, that the
Departments acton had any bearing on
the Chinese situation. or the Efforts Of the
Government to collect the Armenian in
demnity. The experiment OF determining
how quickly a number OF modern war YES
sells might be concentrated was suggested
by Admiral Crowninshield, the Sc rotary
explained.
Under the scheme prepared. each bureau
OF the Navy Department was called on to
perform certain work in connection with
the mobilization The Bureau of Equip
ment was obliged 10 furnish charts;
the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery the
necessary medical supplies; the Bureau OF
Navigation, officers and men: the Bureau
Of Construction, a force of workmen 10
put ships in sea-going conditinn. and the
Bureau Of Supplies and Accounts, cloth
ing and the stores.
While the Kearsarge is ordered to New
port. the experiment proper is being con-
Quoted with the Indiana and the Massachu-
sets. These last-named ships are lying
up IN Ordinary.OT reserve. at League Island
They have only a few officers and men on
board, and very few OF the supplies and
equipment necessary for a sea-going war
service kilograms we're sent 10 the com
mandant Of the League Island Yard to
get these ships ready for a two months
cruise Immediately He was told also that
the fitting out must be done with dispatch
and that the vessels must be at Newport
by June Is. If possible. The greatness Of
this task will be appreciated when il is
understood that the vessels have been
partly stripped OF their necessary belong
The commandant was likewise directed TO
report on the manner in which the duty
was performed by the various branches OF
the Navy Department represented at the
League Island Yard. and 10 report who is
responsible for any delay.
In carrying out his part Of the pro-
gramme. Admiral CrOwninshield instructed
Lieutenant Commander Hunker the detail
officer Of the Bureau Of Navigation. 10 de-
~ lNar Of. n
Massachusetts. and Intiana. kilograms
were accordingly sent 10 officers out of
town and letters were handed to some off,
GERS on duty at the Navy Department 10
Join the two battleshps immediately
which means that they must leave for
League Island within twelve hours after
the receipt of the orders. The officers 81
detailed are Lieutenant Commander
Gleaves, Lieutenants Wilson. Phelps HILL
and Ktttelle. and two surgeons to the In
diana. and Lieutenant Commander Potts
Lieutenants Brainard. Wilson, Hussey, and
Chandler, Surgeons BREASTED. and PayInas
ter Hall TO the Massachusetts,
Orders were sent also 10 the training
snip Hartford, now at Hampton Roads 20
proceed at once to League Island ana
transfer her crew Of nearly 300 Iandsmen
20 the >wo battleships. The Massachusetts,
and Indiana will coal at Hampton Roads
and proceed thence to Newport. The Kc1r-
sarge. which is at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
will make her preparations there.
After the mobilization has been com
pleted the squadron. consisting Of the Ns,,
York, Kearsarge, Indiana. Massachusetts.
and Texas. under command OF Rear Az
rniral Farquhar. viii engage in squadron
mar euvres and other exercises for about
six weeks II IS the intention 10 place the
Massachusetts and Indiana in ordinary at
League Island when these exercises are
ever