Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-25
GHERARDrs STERN REBUKE.
The Memorable Meeting as Port au Primes
Between Two Admirnls.

Between Two Admirnls.
| A Boston dispatch to the New York Times
gives the following interesting details of the
meeting of Admiral Gherardi. commanding the
North Atlantic seuadron. and Acting Admiral
J. G. Walker commanding the white squadron
ut Port au Prince
The squadron Of evolution, it will BE remem-
bered. WIS suddenly ordered during its recent
maneuvers in the gulf to proceed to Port au
Prince For political reasons it was considered
at the time advisable to concentrate a large
naval force off the Haytian capital On reach-
ing Port au Prince Rear Admiral Gherardi,
with the flagship Philadelphia and some of her
consorts of the North Atlantic squadron. WAS
found anchored before the city. This latter Off
Ger, it should be known, is the second rank
ing admiralin the navy, while the commander-in-
chief of the squadron of evolution is only conf
modore. with the rank of acting rear admiral
Running his fine fleet of white cruisers into
Port au Prince, Admiral Walker, without SO
much as noticing the presence of the North
Atlantic fleet. flew from the masthead of iris
flagship the order to anchor. In magnificent
style the big war ships rounded to the tide. let
go their hawsers, and few seconds later were
Juggling 1T their anchors not more than 300
yards distant from the flagship of Admiral
Gherardi. From all outward appearances. the
two squadrons were more than strangers judg-
change of visits was here wholly lacking. An
omnous silence pervaded the two fleets. Oc-
casionaly tho shrill pipe OF boatswains
whistle rang out clear among the ships. but it
only for moment. when all was soon
quiet again.
The whole of one day this continued and all
OF one night, and then in the morning follow
ing. when color evolutions mandatory
throughout the navy, the signal was seen dying
few minutes before 8 from the Philadelphia
ca N a 1
the execution signal was run to the peak and
in an instant the clean. white canvas could be
seen fluttcring from the yards Of each ship IN
the North Atlantic feet But III the squadron
of evolution there was not q sign of Ike Livery
ship, with the exception of one, WAS dead, and
that one was the cruiser Atlanta. There, hang
ing from her yards fluttered Enthusiastically the
flaxen canvas. Here, Mt least, was a ship loyal
to the orders of the senior admiral.
Hello, exclaimed group of officers gath
cred on the poop of the Philadelphia, what
does that meani' The cause OF their eXclanla-
ton WAS sudden display Of signals from the
masthead of the Chicago. There it is. said
one officer. Commanding officer of Atlanta
repair on board the Chicago"
There was no mistaking the signal and there
was no installing the long. swift gig strokes
OF the smart boat that suddenly shot into view
from under the Atlanta's stern. There goes
Phillips, said one officer in the group who.
while speaking, kept his binoculars pressed
close to his eyes In the stern OF the Atlantas
gig could be seen. erect and dignificd. officer
III smart uniform The swift strokes of his gigs
crew were sending the boat flying over tile
water. and in Il minute later ii had reached the
gangway OF Admiral Walkers vessel. What
TRANSFERRED from the time Capt. Phillips dsap-
peared over the Chcagos side no one in the
group aboard the Philadelphia could say of his
own knowledge but when few minutes later
the same officer descended rapidly into his
boat, pulled alongside of his ship and caused
an ORDER to be issued which III ;ricc sent the
seamen OF the Atlanta scalnperinS alOft and to
furling the fluttering sails there could be but
one con lecture. The fact has since been estab-
lished that, i'll obedience TO his orders to re-
pair aboard the Chicago, Capt. Phillips was
told that no attention was 10 be paid to the
orders which Rear Admiral Ghcrardi might
fly; that the only orders he should be expected
to obey were those which should emanate from
the commander-in-chief of the squadron of
evolution, Acting Rear Admiral John q.
Walker.
Up to this period there had been absolutely
no communication between the two .,dInirais,
and this despite the fact that they were then
engaged III furthering by the presence Of their
fleets the national interests of the United
States. But the affair of the Atlanta had not
escaped the notice of Rear Admiral Gherardi.
Neither had the fact that his order to loose sail
had been unnoticed by the vessels of the white
squadron. Nor had the fact escaped him OF
Admiral Walkers arriving and anchoring with
out asking permission, later failing 10 re-
port aboard the senior officers ship. The next
moment there flew from the Philadelphia an
order which no man in the navy wouid dare
disobey. 1t the order of the second
ranking admiral in the navy, commanding
In mandatory language Acting Rear Adj
miral John q. Walker to repair aboard the
Philadelphia in person and at once. The sig
nal was read aboard the Chicago. 1t was ac-
knowledged aboard that vessel, and the Phila-
deIphia oificer could See even without the aid
OF glasses, the barge of the former ship rang
ing up alongside her broad gangway. To the
piping of whistles and the touching of caps all
along the Chicago's deck, figure seen to
descend to the waiting barge. The boat ut
once cast off, and, with rapid strokes, pulled
in tine direction of the Philadelphia. Aboard
tine latter ship side boys were standing on each
slce OF the gangway, boatswain mates with
whistles ready TO pipe sides" were all atten-
ton, while down on the starboard side of the
quarterback a line of brightly uniformed Of
ticers were prepared to bow to the coming adj
niral. In the cabin of the Philadelphia, his
staff about him. stood the second admiral OF
the navy. His uniform, its sleeves covered
with stripes denoting long and continued serv-
ice, was buttOned close about him. and on the
table at his side lay opened the official book of
regulations governing the United States navy.
Suddenly the notes of the boatswains' whis-
ties sounding out at the gangway announced
that there arrival. Over the Pliiadel-
phias side stepped the TALL well-knit and hand
some Walker. dressed i'll his uniform of an act
on his strong face, half bravado i'll expression.
half reckless in its outlines. ''Why. helio' he
exclaimed. 'How are you? Glad to you.'
and q dozen hail-fellow-well-met expressions
dropped in quick succession from his lips as he
sauntered in don t-care. half-gay mood over
the quarterback. But he entered the cabin
OF the flagship Philadelphia the experienced
eye OF Admiral Walker could Tot have failed to
have told him he ran it over the group
standing mute as statues about the table and
then fell on the quiet. firm face OF the old adj
miral standing little in the advance of his
staff that this was no ordinary affair.
Salutations were exchanged by cool and dig
nified bows on the part OF the two admirals,
both remaining standing throughout the visit.
II have come aboard, admiral, in response to
your signal, said the junior officer OF the two.
For moment there was painful pause. the
two looking straight into each other eyes
one half smiling. the other grave and serious.
"Admirai Walker" spoke up the old admiral,
his voice shaking slightly with emotion. yet
firm in its expressions, Admiral Walker, l
wish to know il you arc aware that there is n
regulation requiring the Junior flag officer of
feet when arriving in port to report aboard the
flagship of such senior officer as may be
present.!
As Admiral Gherardi finished he fixed clear
pair of steel-S-ay eyes on the young admiral in
front OF him and pointed with his index finger
to prominent paragraph in the regulations.
"Really," said Admiral Walker, 81 must have
overlooked that"