The Topeka state journal., 1898-09-24
A Letter From Mrs. HARDING.


Mrs D. J. Harding, who is visiting
IN the east, writes the following in
teresting letter from Boston of her
visits to the different warships:
Boston, Sept. 10, 1898.
Such a sight and a grand one too,
have never before witnessed as the
warships in the harbor of Boston It
was lovely bright afternoon and when
we reached the wharf there were hun
dreds of people viewing them and go
ing back and forth in the tug boats
from one ship to another as they fan
cied- There were quite a number to
choose from; the Massachusetts To-
peka, Detroit, Wilmington, Mariette
Helena, Marblehead, Gloucester, Ban
croft, Nesuvius, which were in the navy
yard and the hospital ships Solace and
Relief; but naturally the majority faV-
ored going on board the Massachusetts.
One could easily distinguish the war
ships from other steamers in the har-
Dor as they are all painted a medium
grey; the hospital ships are white.
The Massachusetts being the only
battleship, the others cruisers, we felt
much interested in going on board of
her; and although she was not in the
battle of Santiago, I could imagine
standing there looking a those fOrrnid-
able thirteen-inch guns, what terror
and destruction she might cause.
There were four thirteen-inch guns
and number of six-pound guns. 1t
was quite exciting climbing from the
lower deck on the narrow straight ND
and down ladders or steps to the bridge,
where, as I understand, the officers
stand in battle to give their orders: and
truly brave they must be to stand there
targets for the enemy'S guns. The only
wood about the Massachusetts is a one
inch thickness of veneer on the deck.
After going all over the Massac chusetts
my eyes turned lOngingly toward the
Topeka which was near enough to be
seen quite plainly; We expected to go
on board of her also but were told that
visitors were not allowed after five
rnfn II hot
had to wait another day. We availed
ourselves Of the first opportunity but
on reaching the wharf, found that she
had left for New York the day before.
1t was a great dfsapp ppOintment but
we improved the time by taking a row.
boat out to the Gloucester formerly J.
PierpOnt Morgan's yacht, which you
know was in the battle at Santiago and
did so much damage to the Spanish tor
pedo boats.
1t was with fear and trembling L
stepped into the little boat but as that
was the only way of going and the boat
man assured me there was no danger,
I conquered my fear and we started.
We seemed mere nothing on the wa
ter when we were caught in the swells
caused by the large steamers and ferry
boats, going to and fro all around US.
I begged the man not to go near the
large steamers but he replied: I can't
help it, they won't wait for me-" Mr..
Harding was enjoying it so much that
st gave me courage and on our return
trip I enjoyed it as much as he.
Looking at the Gloucester, one would
never think she was such a fierce little
fighter and could do as much damage
as she did: she really looked quite
small in comparison with the others.
We were received on board very cor
daily and man at one Of the guns
seemed pleased to answer our numer-
Gus questions. He said the Gloucester
could make eighteen miles an hour or
twenty-seven under force draft; they
have about eighty-seven men on board.
There are four six pound guns, five
five pound ones, two automatic guns
and three pound automatic gun in the
bow During the battle there were four
men at each gun, each having a sep
arate duty to perform. They fired eigh-
teen hundred shots in fifty-three min