CHAPTER XIX
THE MISSION OF THE SQUADRON
Striker was right; the war vessels approaching were the Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy, and while the vessels are drawing closer to Larry and the Yankee tar, we will take a brief look at the noble craft which were so soon to engage in a battle to become world famous in history.
The fighting ships were seven in number, consisting of four cruisers, the Olympia, Baltimore, Boston, and Raleigh, and three gunboats, the Concord, Petrel, and McCulloch. Added to these were two large vessels, the Nansham, and the Zafiro, carrying between them 10,000 tons of coal for the fleet's use.
The largest of the ships was the Olympia, which was also the flagship. She was a fine specimen of the protected cruiser, of 5800 tons, and carrying twenty-eight guns of good size. Her commander was Captain C. V. Gridley, and her executive officer
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