League Island Marines Off.

New York Times 100 years ago today, February 20, 1913:
1,300 Sail Early This Morning — 8 Inch Shells Aboard.
Special to The New York Times.
    PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 19.— Commandant Grant of the League Island Navy Yard announced late this afternoon, that the United States transport Meade, with 1,300 marines aboard, would weigh anchor at 5 o'clock to-morrow morning for her journey to Guantanamo, Cuba.
    In announcing the time of the Meade's Departure, Commandant Grant said that there had been no intention of maintaining secrecy in not announcing the time for departure until this afternoon, but that the Meade had to undergo certain repairs which required a greater time to make than was anticipated.
    This morning the navy tug Samoset left the yard with an empty barge in tow. She returned in a few hours with 8,000 8-inch shells from Fort Mifflin, which were sent to the navy yard machine shops to be fitted, with war caps. The men engaged in unloading the barge said that they had been ordered to rush the work. The shells are intended for use on the warships.