The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1896-07-11
A WARSHIP'S RECORD.
The Varied Service Performed by
the Flagship Chicago.
some Interesting Facts Concerning 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 a1oat, says the New York Sun,
but she has carried the stars and stripes
into more harbors in a given space Of
time than any vessel Of her kind in the
history of the world; she has been seen
by more people of different nationali-
ties and has fred 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 cruise extending over four
years and a half the Chicago travelled
the seas of the old and new worlds and
covered a distance of 49,s65 nautical
miles, made port 2,7s1 times, entered
2,975 harbors, came to anchor 1869
times on foreign stations, and fred
over 1000 salutes, varying from thir-
teen to twenty-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,
Tripoli, Greece, Malta, Egypt, Brazil,
Veuezaeln, Nicaragua, Barbados, Uru-
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
United States. She was the most pop
ular ship in the navy, not only with the
officers, but also with the bluejackets
and marines. With the bluejackets she
was popular because she was comfort
Ill Il fIo nir11i g.
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
chances of rewards for good conduct.
They had the use of the ships band
forward of the mast twice week,
when the men were allowed to receive
visitors and have dancing with their
friends. This was a most popular
feature of bluejacket life on the Chi
cago. The popularity of the Chicago
among the rank and file is further
shown by the fact that the average
number of applications for transfer to
her from other ships was invariably
about 400. With the officers she was
favorite because of her comfortable
quarters; and being the flagship, she
came in for more than the usual
amount of receptions and attentions
from foreign powers in ports visited.
The officers of the Chicago have been
entertained and received officially by
the representatives Of nearly all the
chief European and South and Central
American governments, and the Chica9
go in return has had the honor of hay-
ing entertained the representatives OF
more foreign governments than any
naval vessel afoat.
The recent reception given to her
officers by the representatives of the
government of Great Britain and the
return reception to be given by them
may be considered browning honors in
her career.