The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1895-08-09
OUR VESSELS AT KEEL
THE GERMAN EMPEROR'S TWO WIS.,
ITS TO THE CRUISER NEW YORK.

Saw the Ship Put In Fighting Trim-One
| Side of Europe's Bad Boy.
When the history of Germany's en-
peror is written, the historian, if he is
| painstaking, will find in that monarch s
recent visit to the New York while at
Kiel much that will throw light on the
| little understood character of the man
who is now variously regarded as the
firebrand of Europe and as a big boy
who will never grow old.
The officers of the New York received
different impression of the kaiser. To
them he appeared as a man Of eXtraor-
binary gifts, of keen perception and ex-
tensive knowledge On most every sub
ject. Some of them he slapped familiar
ly on the back, but there was that in
his bearing which made it impossible
for one to forget that he was emperor of
Germany.
Most noticeable Of all was boundless
curiosity, which is now recognized as
one of his characteristics. On board ship
he was interested in everything and
wanted everything explained that he
did not understand. This spirit of in
vestigation led him to the engine room
of the cruiser, and ''from coupler flange
to spindle guide" nothing was too little
or too big for him to ask questions
about. Nor did it take longer than the
telling for him thoroughly to understand
the explanations given.
Emperor William paid two visits to
VD,,1~ UNho+
flagship of the American squadron, Ad-
miral Kirkland having transferred his
flag from the San Francisco to the fine
cruiser. On the occasion of the emperor S
first visit the admiral was on shore
The visit was an unexpected one, and
no one knew that the emperor was COM
ing until barge drew alongside and an
aid notified Captain Evans that the
emperor would visit the ship within a
quarter of an hour. AS 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 on departing he said he would
visit the ship the following Wednesday,
Accompanied by his brother Prince
Henry of Prussia, and many admirals,
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 board until IL 40 o'clock
the following morning. At that hour
the emperor suddenly startled everybody
by expressing desire to visit the engine
room.
An orderly was hurried to Chief En-
gineer Andrade to warn him Of the in
vasion, and then the party arose and,
led by Captain Evans, made its way to
the engine room.
With the exception Of the men on
watch the crew Of the vessel were in
their hammocks and asleep. Steam was
up in one of the boilers, and one of the
engineer 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-
gineer's official logbook and permitted
to make the following extract from it:
About IL As a. m the engine and frerooms
were visited and inspected by his majesty
Emperor William II of Germany; his brother,
Prince Henry of Prussia; the emperor's aid
and six admirals of the German navy, includ-
ing Admiral Knorr, commanding the 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.
They visited the machine shop, starboard
thrustroom and starboard engine room. The
emperor timed the uncoupling of the star
board engine-the work being done by four
men, working two at time, in minutes and
40 seconds, according to his (the emperor's)
announcement
The officers helped out the logbook
here and explained that the emperor had
expressed incredulity when told that the
engines 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 Blen-
helm class. Those vessels require 48
hours to uncouple their engines. The
officers believe that the emperor knew
that, as 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 be uncoupled.
From the engine room the party
emerged on the gun deck, where the men
were asleep in their hammocks. In
traversing its length the party had to
stoop SO as not to bump against the
hammocks. 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
your water tight compartments
In the daytime usually about 80 Sec
onds is required, Captain Evans an
swered. AT night it takes about q
minutes. -
The party had reached the half deck
clear Of the slumberers. The emperor
gazed down the quiet and dimly lighted
deck and said:
"Would you mind doing it for me
now?"
That was rather surprising request
to be made at that hour of the morning
= ~, r,o h,,&