Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-12-29
STARTS ON ITS LONG VOYAGE
MAMMOTH DRY DOCK LEAVES
SOLOMON'S ISLAND.
Commander Hosley And His Tow
ing Fleet On Ten Thousand
Mile Journey TO
Philippines.

One of the greatest undertaking.
ever made by tile American navy was
that attempted yesterday afternoon
when the mammoth steel drydock
Dewey, constructed for the govern
ment by the Maryland Steel Company
at Sparrows' Point, Baltimore, got I'M
der way from Solomon's Island on its
ocean voyage of "a, 600 miles to the
Philippine Islands, where il viii be
used at the naval station at Olongapo.
The start was made at , LOS p. IN.
without the slightest accident 10
mar the proceeding, and from the rate
of speed averaged during the first four
hours. which was at two miles an
hour, the huge structure aud its con-
voy will have traversed 50 miles down
the Chesapeake bay from the starting
place by O'Clock this morning. The
expedition, which is conceded to he
one of the most difficult of naval un.
dertakings, is commanded by Com
mender Harry II. Hosley, u. 5. N.
who arranged all the details.
Ii was IL. 30 O'Clock Yesterday morn
ing when the long towline was drop
ped over from the Dewey. 1t was taken
up by the collier Brutus, and before
noon vas made fast aboard that vessel.
The dock is under the convoy of three
vessels, forming a tandem, the Brutus
being next to the dock; then comes
the collier Caesar and the big govern
ment tug Potomac in the lead On
board the collier Glacier Commander
Hosley has his headquarters aud this
vessel will also be used as the supply
ship during the trip. Commander Hos
ley will direct the movements of the
tow from the Glacier Chief Boats.
vain Philip Mullan had charge of
making fast all Of the tow lines, the
directions, however, being given by
Commander Hosley from the Glacier
The conveys, with their heavy tow,
proceeded slowly but steadily aftir
the start was made and four hours af-
terward the lights on the Dewey could
be seen at a distance OF about nine or
ten miles below Patuxent river, the
starting point AS the dock passed
Sandy Point lighthouse a salute was
fired from the station and it was re-
turned by the supply ship Glacier.
Every minor preparation for the start
had beel completed in detail before
hand. The most difficult task in this
line was the weighing of the eight
gigantic anchors, which work a force
of men began on Tuesday morning
and did not complete until last night
Owing to the immense tonnage Of
the dock, considerable seaway was al
lowed. 1t is estimated that the tow
down the bay is more than a mile
long After passing out of the Capes,
however, the boats will change their
position.
The wireless telegraph station at
the Naval Academy this morning was
in communication with the supply
ship Glacier, which is accompany ing
the drydock Dewey on its voyage to
the Philippine Islands, and on which
vessel Commander Harry fl. Hosley
has his headquarters as the commander
of the expedition. All of the vessels
of the conveying feet are fitted out
with wireless apparatus At s O'Clock
this morning the wireless operator at
the Naval Academy received q message
from the Glacier stating that the tow
was then at Smiths Point, which is
about 40 miles below the Patuxent
river, from which place the dock start
ed yesterday afternoon. 1t also stated
that heavy fog prevailed over Ches.
apeake bay last night. The tow is run
ming at the rate of between two and
three miles an hour.