The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-01
III the story Below Does Not Make 9
You Are No Patriot.
SUNDAY TURNED INTO BEDLAM
EVERYTHING ABLE TO MAKE
NOISE sHRIEKED A WELCOME.
Capt. Philips Shell-Punctured Battle
Ship Returns to the Navy
Yard for Repairs.

K,
coast Of Cuba, battle-scarred and powder
stained and punctured in spots, with her
formidable guns bristling in the sunlight
and her officers and crew laughing and
cheering like schoolboys on a holiday trip.
the United States battle ship Texas, Capt.
J. w. Philip in command, steamed slowly
up the lower bay from Sandy Hook this
forenoon on her way to the Brooklyn
navy yard. For a brief period she re-
manned at anchor off Tompknsvlle, Staten
island, to receive the mail and dispatches.
and as soon as these were got on board the
vessel proceeded slowly to her destination
amid salvos of greeting from the thousands
of people who crowded the decks of the
outward-bound excursion boats.
Solicitations of welcome came from all
Sides. Every vessel that boosted steam
whistle let II Shrek for all it was worth.
The piping toots of little tug boats mingled
with the deep toned roar of the ocean and
coastwise steamer and the usual calm of
the Sabbath was supplanted by vertable
pandemonium in the harbor. The sailing
vessels were also in evidence. and silent
dipping of colors aboard the pleasure
yachts, while not so demonstrative as the
shrill notes from the steamers. was equally
effective and the man in charge of the steam
siren of the Texas worked like a beaver
replying to the hearty reception The cheers
of the excursionists and passengers on the
numerous ferryboats were taken up by the
people on the New York and Brooklyn
shores, watching the black-painted war
ship, and the brave sailors responded with
waving caps and handkerchiefs as they
stood on the main deck dressed in white
1HVn1r- 1t
against the superstructure. which still wore
tnat dark color which is now known as
Uncle Sans war paint"
Captain ]. w. Philip was on the bridge
of the Texas and by his side stood his ex-
ecutive officer, Lieutenant Commander G..
B. Harder. Among the officers who were
congregated on the quarter deck was one by
whose. inventive genius the death-dealing
and destructive power of the two twelve
inch guns in the turrets was increased
threefold-Lieutenant F. ]. Haeseler of
whom Captain Phillip made special mention
In his report of the destruction of Admiral
Cervera's fleet off Santiago.
When the Texas reached the navy ward
the dock was crowded with blue Jackets
and marines who greeted their fellows with
feverish enthusiasm and welcomed then,
back with joyous cheers. Willing hands did
the work of securing the vessel TO her moor
ings at the dock and as soon as the eanp-
ways were placed in position hundreds of
relatives of the men aboard rushed to en-
| brace the heroes who had fought so nobIv
ana successfully in the cause of humanity.
Inc general outward appearance of the
| Dig hoating fort showed that the Texas bad
nad rough time of it, and close insnec-
tion revealed the places where the shells
OF the Dons had penetrated the port how
and starboard superstructures On the 22l
OF June. while the Texas was bonhardine
the MORO at the entrance of Santiago har-
DOR, six-inch shell tore through the port
side under the armor. about twenty feet
from the bow This shell exploded on the
opposite side of the gun deck and on it's
way instantly killed Frank Blakeley, first
class apprentice. whose home was in Law
renee Mass. This was the only fatal mis-
sile which struck the Texas during her
lighting term as none of the other men who
were wounded succumbed to their injuries.
A piece of the shell which killed BIakeley
hit John Lively. landsman, in the leg and
lnflicted a dangerous and painful wound.
Lively was lmping around the gun deck
to-day and said he would soon be all right
again.
During the engagement of July g. when
the Texas was chasing Cerveras vessels.
big shell. probably from the Almirante
Oquendo. pierced the starboard bulkhead.
underneath the bridge. 1t passed through
the ventilator. and after carrying away the
ashhoist entered the smokestack. where it
exploded, but injured no one Several shots
took effect on the bridge and other parts
of the superstructure. but nearly all traces
of the damage done by them were removed
on the homeward trip.
The firing of the port turret gun across
the upper deck shock the vessel consider
ably, and she will need general overhaul
ing, as her decks and supports have been
loosened. If occasion required. however, the
Texas could fight at moments notice, her
batteries being in excellent order. All the
sailors who were seen to-day said that the
Texas was wonderful ship, and her record
off the Cuban coast had laid at rest the sto-
ries which had been circulated as to her
being an unlueky vessel.
On the way up from Cuba the Texas made
only about nine knots an hour. but this was
caused by bad coal. Twenty-Five sick sail
ors and marines were brought back from
the squadron by the Texas. and they were
all transferred to the naval hospital. ad-
joining the navy yard. None of them had
been injured in battle, and in no case is
there any fear of fatal results.
Dry dock No. is in readiness for the
docking of the Texas. which will be done
tomorrow.
THE ALAMO ARRIVES.