The San Francisco call., 1897-09-03
PROUD DAY FOR
THE WHEELING
West Virginia's Gift Is
Presented to the
Gunboat.
Happy Speech Of Hon. B. B.
Dovener, and Commander
Sebree's Response.
After the Ceremonies the Guests
Partake Of Luncheon and Then
Inspect the Vessel.

VALLEJO, CAL. Sept. 2.-The party of
Congressman and citizens of the State OF
West Virginis arrived at the navy-yard
this afternoon promptly at o'clock. On
their arrival they found everything in
readiness, with military precision, for
their entertainment. The tug landed at
the quaywall just off the bow of the gum
boat Wheeling. and as the guests filed off
the gangpIank they were met by Ensign
DurelI, U. 8. N; Passed Assistant Engi-
neer Arnold, U. s. N. and Assistant Pay
master Irwin, U. s. n, OF the Wheeling,
who escorted the party TO the ship. Com
mander Sebree received them aboard the
vessel.
On the arrival Of Admiral w. A. Kirk.
land the crew OF the ship were lined up on
either side of the main deck. and the
spokesman of the delegation, Hon. B. B.
Dovener, was Introduce By the COM
mander. In his speech the distinguished
gentleman recounted how he and his coll
leagues of his State in Congress had
striven to have their city honored by hav-
ing it borne from port to port on one of
the ships Of our country. Their endeavors
had been realized, and now. to show the
appreciation which the people Of that city
felt, they had decided upon the plan of
coming all the way to California and
bringing with them token that would
be more appropriate than anything else
that could be devised. Nothing could be
better to show that appreciation than the
nandiwork of the city of Wheeing-a
table service composed of something over
900 pieces.
With desire to express this apprecia-
tion they had come from their own State,
in ,iy,o ratc nd
valleys, mountains and plains, TO the
golden State OF California. The speaker
closed with the wish that the ship might
bring honor 20 her name, to the flag and
10 the country.
Commander Sebree spoke in behalf of
the officers and men of his ship. He said:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: 1t is
in consideration of our good fortune in being
the first to be assigned to duty on this ship
that we have the pleasure of having you on
board to-day, and 1t falls to my lot TO thank
you in behalf of the Secretary OF the Navy, and
in behalf of my brother officers here. for the
beau utiiul gifts which you have brought to our
vessel, and for the cordial and kindly senti-
ments with which you have accompanied
your gifts. The citizens OF many OF our States
have generally shown their kindly feeling for
the naval service by giving presents to ships
which have been honored by bearing the
names of their States and cities, but in no
other case, believe, has u delegation OF cit-
zens come so far on such generous errand.
But take it that it is not the kindly feeling
alone that impressed you to take this long
journey. Your presence here is evidence
Of the pride with which we bear our cummon
citizenship and the loyalty and devotion with
which we regard our common COuntry, and II
is siugularly appropriate that such senti-
ment should come from the war-born State OF
West Virginia This ship is but one OF many
in the service, and to her making went mate
rails from many States-ores from Mich igan !,
steel from Pennsylvania or West Virgins,
lumber from Oregon and Washington, ana
skill and labor OF the citizens OF California
so tnat she stands to-day epitome of our
whole country; and 1 take it your presence
here to- day is, more than anything else, q
de moustration of the pride and devotion tina t
we all have in our common country.
IT is probable that the keel OF this vessel
may never be washed by the waters of the
Ohio, but in whatever seas she may sail or
whatever country she may visit, RENE m Der
she is under that flag at all times-everywheIe
part of the United States and every State in
the Union.
The Wheeling and Marietta were both built
from the same plans and are alike posi- BILE,
with the exception of the boilers. Experience
has proved that it is i'm apostolic to build gun
boats, houses ships or anythfng else exactly
alike; one will always be better than the
other Now, whatever my friend and cless-
mate, Captain Symonds. his officers and men
may think of the Marietta, we know the
Wheeling to be the better of the two.
After the ceremonies were over the
guests were taken below to luncheon, and
then shown about the Wheeling and the
other ships and places of interest at the
navy-yard.
The party came up on the tug Sea
Queen, which left on its return to the
City at 4 o'clock amid sautes from every
whistle about the place, both on land and
water.