The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1894-08-31
A WARSHIP'S RECORD.
The Varied Service Performed by
the Flagship Chicago.
Some Interesting Facts Concerning a -Four
Years Cruise of the Most Remark
able ship in the White
Squadron.

OF all the war ships in the world,
there is probably not one so well known
throughout the two hemisphereS as the
white cruiser Chicago. the flagship of
Rear Admiral Erben. now doing so
much to uphold the honor and dignity
OF the United States in London She Is
the most extensively known war vessel
for many reasons. Not only has she
visited more ports than any other war
ship afioat. says the New York sun.
but she has carried the stars and stripes
into more harbOrs in given space of
time than any vessel of her kind IL the
history of the world: she has been seen
by more people of different nationali-
ties and has fired more SaluteS, burned
more powder in peaceful festivities.
and has received more hOnorS and at
tentions from foreign nations than all
the other ships of the navy combined.
The Chicago. in addition to having
been the pride of the United States
navy longer than any vessel in any
other navy has held the distinction. has
made the longest recorded single
cruise and has participated in more in
ternational naval demonstrations in
given period of time than any other
war vessel of modern times
During a cruise extending over four
years and half the Chicago travelled
the seas of the old and new worlds and
covered a distance of ~. 500 nautical
miles, made port 2.TSl times, entered
2.97G harbors, came to anchor 3.562
times on foreign stations. and fired
over 1000 salutes, varying from thir
teen to tVventy-one guns. and received
in return an equal number of cOmpli-
ments in the way of expended powder
Among the lands visited were Spain.
France. Italy, Portugal. Algeria,
TripoIi, Greece, Malta. Egypt, Brazil
Venezuela. Nicaragua. Barbados. Jru-
quay, Argentine. the Azores. Great
Britain and ireland. During this eX-
tended cruise the Chicago carried the
pennant of one admiral. although she
had three different captains and sever
al complete changes of officers owing
to the operation of naval regulations as
to sea and shore service.
The Chicago is also remarkable
ship in many other respects. As the
flagship of the famous white squadron
she did great service to her country in
popularizing the United States navy
among the navies and nations of the
earth and among the people of the
states SHt was LilS most pop
ular ship in the navy not only with the
officers. but also with the bluejackets
and marines. With the bluejackcts she
was popular because she was comfort
able ship. and while the discipline was
perhaps. somewhat strict her crew had
more than the usual privileges in the
way of opportunities to visit ports
They got more shore liberty and more
nf IL GOOD conduct
They had the use of the ships banC
forward of the mast twice week
when the men were allowed to receiv,
visitors and have dancing with thei
friends. This was a most pOpula
feature of bluejacllet life on the Chi
cago. The popularity of the Chicag,
among the rank and file is furthe
shown by the fact that the averag,
number of applications for transfer u
her from other ships was invariabl
about 400 With the officers she was
favorite because of her comforta bl,
quarters; and being the flagship, sh,
came in fo- more than the usua
amount of receptions and attention:
from foreign powers in ports visited
The officers of the Chicago have beer
entertained and received officially by
the representatives of nearly all the
chief European and South and Contra
American governments, and the Chica
go in return has had the honor of hav
ing entertained the representatives o
more foreign governments than an,
naval vessel afioat.
The recent reception given to he
officers by the representatives of tn
government of Great Britain and tn
return reception to be given by theT
may be considered crOwning honors i
her career.