The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-17

Onciai JunketinG on tho Government's
Yacht About TO Begin.

Omciai Juaketing on the G~overnment'
Yacht About to Begin.
WASHINGTON, May l6.--Within the next three
weeks the annual summer cruise OF the despatch
boat Dolphin begins, ana from the time she
casts lines off at the Washington Navy Yard
until the early autumn she will be kept busy
plying from port to port along the atlantic sea-
board, either engaged in, trips of naval inspec-
tion. or else serving admiral Bunce's great fleet
OF war vessels as he may order. When not
under his flag. the Dolphin will take orders
direct either from the Secretary or the Assist
ant Secretary OF the Navy. The itinerary Of her
service is now being prepared, and when COM
pleted it will be found to be one of the most in
teresting yet devised for this ship.
For the past four weeks the painters and
scrapers at the Norfolk Navy Yard have been
kept busy printing her up for the work she will
be called on to carry out during the coming
summer months. Her machinery has been
overhauled. her cabins re-hung. and the bright
work made to shine like a mirror. At no time
since 500, 900 was expended on her just prior
to the naval review in Hampton Roads has the
vessel been in more yacht-like condition. Her
new Captain reports that no official despatch
boat OF any foreign navy surpasses her in APP
~pointments or the elegance OF her equipment.
This week she comes out of dry dock spick and
span and bright as n new pin. On May % she
is to be formally assigned to the home squadron
and will steam around to New York and report
to Admiral Bunce for orders.
Early In June her first real work is to begin.
Then she will take aboard tho Assistant Secro-
tary OF tho Navy for an annual inspection Of
the Naval Reserves. Her first trip will be to
Southern waters aud thence she win proceed to
the New England States. to afford the inspect
Ing officers an opportunity to see what improve,
ments have been made in the Reserves and
what Is required to perfect the system be-
fore the various organizations are sent to sea on
for deep sea cruising. Two or three weeks VIII
be necessary to perform this duty, and early In
orders. No definite plans have yet bsen out
lined for her annual visit to Newport, where
there VIII be a large class under instrnctiP9 at
bert will PROBABLY follow his custom of inspect
ing all the important naval stations on the At
Dolphin in order TO facilitate the work.
The Dolphin is not only the finest oficisl
yacht for the use OF the head of any navy In the
world, but she also is said now TO have the
smartest Sc. OF officers OF any ship on Tho home
more highly priced than those TO the Dolphin.
The service Ia reckoned as sea duty, but on an
average the Dolphin seldom puts In more than
been occasions when there is great mn
f BsT HSrb SS' T snS q SeS SISra' 0 shn S q esr lo"f
forward to the arrival of the Dolphin,
tninmcnts viii be given in honor OF her %oricers.
The commander ofthe yacht is always a special
favorile with the Secretary OF the Navy, IL Is
the only ship In the service where tho chief of
tho Navigation Bureau never suggests who
shall be Captain. The selection Is always ono
personal TO the Secretary, and for years she has
been in charge OF some OF tho besL-known ofi-
GERS OF tho navy. Her present commander is
Lieut. Commander Richardson Clover, who has
Just reported for duty. Cant. Glover Is one
OF the weRlthiest officers Of the service and
has one OF the finest houses in Washing
ton. This summer he has taken q cottage ut
Newport, where, no doubt, there Will be- a series
Of entortainments when the I,olphIn arrives:
Her executive l. Lieut.. Switzerland, who, until
= few months ACo, was naval aide TO Assistant
Secretary McAdoO Other Officers attached TO
the ship have seen more or less duty IN wash
ingtGn recently. aud arr well equipped 10 main
tain the reputation Of the navy nJ Bar Harbor
ana Newport for g~allantry ana hospitality,