The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-01
OUR NAVAL VESSELS At KEEL
The German Emperor's Visits TO
the Cruiser New York.
At l2:46 a. M, After Banquet, He
Suggested an Inspection of the
Engine-room. Saw the Ship
Put in Fighting Trim. One
Side of Europe's Bad Boy.

ferQr Is written, tho historian, if he is
Raipstaking, will find in that monarch's
recent visit to the New York whiIe at
Kiel much that will throw light On the
little understood character Of the man
who 'is now vai'iausly regarded rs the
6reMand OF Europe and as big boy
who will never grow old.
The officers Of tho New York received
q different impression Of tho kaiser. To
them be appeared IS man of e1trnor-
diRary gifts, Of keen perception and ex-
tensive knowledge on meSt every cub
ject. Some Of them no slapped familiar
~ on the buck, but there was that in
hiS bearing which made n impossible
fer'one to forget that be WAS emperor Of
Gerpary.
Most noticeable Of all was n bound less
curiosity, which is now recognized as
oRe OF his characteristics On bos-d ship
he whs Interested i'll everything and
wapted everything explained that he
did not understand. This spirit of in
vcstigntion led him to the engine room
of tho cruiser, and from coupler flange
to spindle guide, = nothing was too little
CT TOO big for him TO ask questions
about Nor did it take longer than the
telling for him thoroughly to understand
che explanations given.
Emperor William paid two visits to
the New York. That vessel was then
fSgahip Of the American squadron, Ad-
miral kirkland having transferred his
hag from the San Francisco to tho fine
eruissr. On the occasion OF tho emperor S
Arst visit tho admiral was ON shore.
The visit was M unexpected one, and
no ono knew that tho emperor was COM
ing antil barge drew alongside and All
AID notified Captain Evans that the
emperor would viGit the ship within
quurtor Of m hour. AS a matter Of fact,
the message had hardly been delivered
before the emperor was climbing up the
gangway ladder He was received with
customary honors. His stay was very
short, and OH departing he said no would
visit the ship the following Wednesday.
Accompanied by his brother, Prince
Henry OF Prussia, and many ndmirals,
the emperor came ON board on the ap-
pointed day Then there WAS BANQUET
in the cabin, and the imperial party lin
gered round the hoard until l9 a 0 O'Clock
tho following morning AT that hour
the emperor suddenly startled everybody
by expressing a desire to visit the engine
room.
An orderly was hurried to Chief En-
gineer Andrade to warn him Of tho i'll.
vasion, and then the party arose and,
led by Captain Evans, made its way 70
the engine room
With the exception of the men on
watch tho crew Of the vessel wore in
their hammocks and nsleep. Steam was
upan one of the boilers, and one of the
enSipeer divisions was on duty The
chief engineer had barely time to bring
them to attention before the party
appeared.
The reporter sought Chief Engineer
Andrade and asked him about the en-
peror's inspection of the machinery and
boilers. He was referred to- the en-
gireer's official logbook and permitted
TO make tho following extract from it:
About la AS q. IN. the engine and trerooms
wore visited and inspected by his majesty
Emperor William II OF Germany; his brother
Prince Henry OF Prussia; the omperor's aid
and ak adinirals OF the German navy, inclul-
ing Admiral knorr. commanding tho German
squadron at kiel during the celebration OF
opening the North Sea canal.
This party WAS accompanied by Admiral
kirkland, Captain Evans Chief Engineer An.
drade and Lieutenant COMMANDER Swift
ahey visited the machine shop, starhoard
4hrustroom and starboard engine room The
emperor timed the uncoupliny o. the star
board engine-the work being done by four
men, working two at time. IN : minutes and
Ii seconds, according to his (the enperorsj
announcement.
Tho officers helped out the logbook
here and explained that the Emperor had
expressed incredulity when told that the
cugines could be uncoupled within five
minutes The New York, as every one
knows. was built to offset such armored
cruisers as the British Blake and BIen-
helm GLASS Those vessels REQUIRE As
hours to uncouple their engines. The
officers believe that the emperor knew
that, rs they now credit him with know
ing most everything At any rate, he
was profoundly astonished at seeing
how quickly the engines Of the Ameri
can vessel could DO uncoupled.
From the engine room the party
emerged on tho gun deck where the men
were asleep in their hammooks In
traversiDg its length the party had to
gtoop' SO as not to bump against the
hamnocks. The emperor, who was scrap
ing his imperial shoulders against the
hammocks Of the sleepers, suddenly
paused, and turning to Captain Evans
asked
How soon can you close the doors Of
yeur water tight compartments: