Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-11
TRIP TO LAS PALMAS
RUN OF TORPEDO BOAT FLOTILLA
FROM SAN JUAN.
Commander Everett Reports How the
Little Boats Were Coaled
at Sea.

The Secretary of the Navy has received
the following report, dated January a. Vi
the passage of the torpedo boat notiiia' un
der convoy of the cruiser Buffalo, from oih
Juan. p R., to Las Palmas, Canary Islands
from Commander w. H. Everett of the Buf-
falo: =
..I have the honor to submit the following
report regarding the passage or the bui-
falo and the torpedo boat dastroyers Deca-
tur cambridge. Barry, Chauncey ana Dale
from San Juan, p r., to this port:
1--we left San Juan at 6:2o m. January
6. and arrived at Las Palmas at 6o9 am
January Is. A great circle course was
taken: the weather experienced was fine,
being normal to the locality; sea smooth
and wind from east to southeast.
Boats Taken in Tow.
""The Decatur, Chauncey and Dale
showing a shortage of coal, l decided TO
take them in tow for day each in order TO
reduce the same. The Buffalo took the
Dale in tow on the 18th instant, using TWO
seyen-inch hawsers bent together IN
about an hour the line parted at the bend.
The Dale hauled her end on boaIo, the
Buffalo doing the same with hers. a nine
inch hawser was then bent TO the seven
inch and tie Dale was then taken again IN
tow about an hour the line again parted
at the bend (speed 11.6 knots. Night COM
ing on no more attempts at towing We're
made. During the night both vessels maze
the normal speed of 100 knots. The fol-
lowing morning, the weather conditions
being favorable, the Buffalo transferred
twenty-seven tons of coal to the Dale, using
bags and four of the Bufalos cutters.
The time from the first to the last bag re-
ceived on board the Dale was one hour and
fifty-five minutes. During the coal transfer
five of the DaleS crew were sent 10 TINS
ship for medical treatment. two of whom
Il. nr,I in r.
ter returned at Ferro Island). Upon the
completion of the coaling the Buffalo and
the Dale proceeded at IA knots to oyertake
the remainder of the flotilla, which had
been proceeding at the normal speed of lo.5
knots. The flotilla was overtaken on tie
10th, and all proceeded to Ferro Island, in
order to get lee for coaling the destroyers
in need of coal Arriving of the island
during the night-Stood off and ON until
Observation-Disclosures in bags, by four of
the Buffalo'S cutters fifteen tons of coal to
the Decatur. nineteen tons to the Chauncey
and twenty-three tons to the Dale. The,
cambridge and the Barry required no re-
plenishing. At 2:45 pm. left Ferro Island
for Las Palmas instead of Teneriffe, as the
destroyers can lie inside of the breakwater
and be more comfortable.
Arrival at Las Palmas.
cat am. of the day of arrival salute
of twenty-one guns was fired by the Buff
falo, the Spanish flag at the main. which
with the consul I. on the day of arrival.
made official visits on the governor. civil
governor, alcalde and the captain of the
port "a post captain in the Spanish navy.
all of which were returned in person, with
the exception of the governor. who sent his
representatives. Visits have also been ex-
changed between the commanding officers
of the Russian cruiser Kreisser. the Spanish
gunboat Molina and the Engl sh armored
cruiser Monmouth and myself
:" "A report from the comm nd ng officer
of the fotilla, giving in detail the particu-
lars of the fOtilla's experience during the
late trip. is herewith inclosed.
On January 5, at San Juan, Lieutenant
Chandler. commanding the fotilla, deyei/i
oped very severe cold, and. upon the rec
ommendation of the senior medical officer
of the Buffalo, was transferred to this ship
for treatment. Lieutenant Williams of the
cambridge succeeding to the commend at
the fotilla. To ass'st on board the Decatur
Gunner Grady Vas transferred from this
ship to the Decatur. On the 10th instant
Lieutenant Chandler was discharged from j
the sick LIST end transferred to the Decatur
ner Grady returning to the Buffalo -
The Run to Gibraltar.
The Secretary of the Navy received the !
following mail report today from Lieut., L. /!
H. Chandler OF the Decatur. commanding /!
the. FIRST torpedo fotilla:
Referring to the run of the Buffalo and |
fiotilla from Las Palmas to this port (Gi- |
braltar,: The fotilla sailed from Las Pal. |
mas. Canaries. In company with the Buff !
falo. at $50 am. on Monday. January Is. |
1904. A straight run was made direct to Cape |
average speed OF about 1875 knots per hour,
arriving here shortly after noon yesterday,