New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-24
L.Op THE KIEI. CELEBRATION.

HOW THE NATIONS WILL. BE REPREsfN ED
ADMIRAL rRwINs LITTLE YARN
Washington. May 23-I.ieutenant Singer. in charge
OF the Office OF Naval Intelligence. has prepared
lis, Of the vessels which Will participate IN the
great celebration at KEEL. next month based on IN
formation received up date The list VIII prop
abv be subjected 10 little change. although IL Is
not unlikely England will add vessel or TWO 10
her fleet OF eight ships. in order that she may not
he exceeded In their number by Italy.
Forty-nye ships are included In the i's' exclusive
NJ those OF Germany the number OF whose repre-
.r,o,,on - not given Italy leads in point OF
strength with nine and is followed In order by
England with eight: the United states ana Aus'ii"
four each: France. Russia. spain ana S"eoe"
three each: Denmark Norway and RumaniA' TWO
each and Portugal and Turkey. one each
For al least one good reason the magninceht
American fleet at the Kie Canal celebration Is
likely TO receive extra courtesy from the herman
admiral In addition 20 the prominence bound 10
b. accorded 10 such splendid vessels az the Ne"
York Columbia San Francisco ana Marpiehead
the United States flag ahoat ana the Adn'''a'
ensign will be- cordially welcomed by the German
admiral Knorr who has charge OF the ihterhauoha
marine display for personal reasons II was TO the
snrpestion OF an American admiral That Adfnirai
Knorr owes in great part his rapid promotion
Admiral Irwin. who several months ago went y"
the retired list after serving as 'oihnahoe'n
chief OF our Pacific Squadron. at Hawaii. recently
aimirars advancement. about as toiioWs.
In 1862 Irwin. then commanding me Shi,ea S,a.es
amshin (;ettysburg attached 10 the North Auan-
Tie station lay in West Indian harbor IN company
with a small German gunboat commanded by hnorr
then n Young officer The Franco-Prussan War was
at lis height and French vesseis were IN port
a. the time there was considerable interchange OF
rvilitle between the American and German vessels
Ar n dinner on board the Gettysburg Admiral lr
wu referring the fact that french gunpoat
was reported in the harbor OF Havana asked knorr
why hr lid not go there and call the trench-
man out for a fight. Irwin recalled 10 MIN the incl
don't of the Kearsarge and Alabama M CheroourS
and elowincly pointed out the National approval
that resulted from the American commanders ac-
Imnress.d by this example the German set sail
and heavng to off Havana. sent challenge TO the
Ercnchman 10 come out and fight. Under sugges-
lions from Irwin Knorr had prepared for a desper-
ate conflict The battle terrific Tor half an hour
whom the Frenchman began TO waver. The French
commander sa W the only hope was In boarding the
German and he rapidly brought the action TO close
quarters and prepared to force the lighting hand
to hand Although the French vessel was slightly
larger the excellent organization or the German
crew thwarted his design and he shortly hauled OFT
and went back into the harbor OF Havana. Ii was
a drawn battle, but the German commander cruised
or the port for several days sending repeated dares
TO the Frenchman to come out again. but without
effect.
went home receive the iron cross az a reward
for his valor and one OF his first acts was to send
n letter thanking the American officer and attribut
Ing him the means of his advancement