Fleet Rumor Groundless.

New York Times 100 years ago today, May 19, 1913:
Officers and Men of Reserve Squadron Scoff at War Stories.
Special to The New York Times.
    PHILADELPHIA, May 18.— Officers and enlisted men attached to the Philadelphia Navy Yard to-day ridiculed a report that the battleships of the Atlantic reserve fleet stationed here, were being prepared for action on account of the Japanese situation. Although Capt. Grant, Commandant of the yard, declined to discuss the reported activities, he was, however, emphatic in saying that the rumor was not only untrue, but absurd as well.
    The fleet comprises the battleships Maine, Massachusetts, Kearsarge, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Kentucky, and Wisconsin. They are and have been out of commission for several months, and only have skeleton crews on board. In addition, there are in the yard the battleships Alabama and Ohio, which are in full commission, the former being attached to the fleet and the Ohio being the third ship in the fourth division of the North Atlantic Fleet. The Alabama recently was overhauled in the Brooklyn Navy Yard and placed in commission.
    The several detachments of marines who returned from Guantanamo a few weeks ago, have been sent to New York, Boston, Washington, Norfolk, and Charleston. The regular marine force has been permitted to remain at the League Island barracks, and only the customary complement of officers are quartered there.
    The Ohio is being repainted and the other ships are undergoing minor repairs in order to have them in the highest state of efficiency expected of reserve ships. The department expects all such battleships to be ready to go to sea on twenty-four hours notice. Repairs are being made all the time, and there is no significance attached to the present activities at the yard.
    Bluejackets, who always are out to amuse and mislead the unwary, frequently tell visitors that the ships are being stripped for action and that orders are expected that will send the fleet to meet a phantom enemy. The trick generally has its effect and is responsible for many wild rumors going the rounds of the yard.