The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-01
BATTLESHIP TEXAS is BACK.
BIG FIGHTING MACHINE AT THE
BROOKLYN NAVY YARD.

Patriotic Sentiments Break Loose IA
She Comes Up the Bay and She Is
Given "a Great oVatiOn-Benrs Many
Evidences of Having Been I'm the
Thick of the Fray with Cervera's
Squadron and nt Other Points or
Cuba.
New York. July 3i.-Back from the
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 holiday trip,
the United States battleship 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 remained at an
chor off Tompkinsvlle. Staten Island, to
receive the mail and dispatches, and az
soon as these were got on board the ves-
sci proceeded slowly to her destination
amid salvos of greeting from the thou
sands of people, who crowded the decks OF
the outward bound excursion boats.
Salutations of welcome came from an
sides. Every vessel that boasted a steam
whistle let 1t shrek for all it was worth.
The piping toots of the little tug boats
mingled with the deep-toned roars from
the ocean and coastwse steamers, and the
usual calm of the Sabbath was supplanted
by verltable pandemonIum.
The sailing vessels were also in evt-
dence, and the silent dipping of the COLI
ors aboard the pleasure yachts, while not
so demonstrative as the shril notes from
the steamers. was equally effective, and
the man in charge of the steam siren on
the Texas worked like a beaver replying
to the hearty reception.
The cheers of the excurslonIsts and pas-
sengers on the numerous ferryboats was
taken up by the people, who watched the
black painted warship from the New York
and Brooklyn Shoes and the brave sailors
responded with waving caps and handker-
chiefs as they stood on the main deck
dressed in white duck suits, which stood
out In bold relief against The superstruc-
ture which stLl wore that dark color
which is known as Uncle Sans war
paint"
Capt. ]. W. Philip was on the bridge d.
his side stood his executive officer, Lieu
tenant Commander c. e. Harber. 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 Pinch guns In the tur-
rets was increased three-fold-Lieut. r. j.
Eieaseler, of whom Capt. Philip made epe-
ciai mention in his report of the destruc-
ton Of Admiral Cerveras fleet off SAM
tiago.
When the Texas reached the navy yard
the dock was crowded with blue Jackets
aud marines, who greeted their fellows
with feverish enthusiasm and welcomed
them back with joyous cheers.
Willing hands did the work Of securing
the vessel to her moorlngs at the dock.
and as soon as the gangways were placed
in position hundreds Of relatives of tho
men aboard rushed to embrace the heroes
who had fought so nobIy and successfully
IN the cause Of humanity
The general outward appearance of the
big floating fort showed that the Texas
had had rough time Of 1t, and a close in
spection revealed the places where tho
shells Of the Dons had penetrated the bow
and starboard and superstructure.
On June 22, while the Texas was bonl-
harding the Moro at the entrance of Sam
tlago harbor, siX-inch shell tore through
the port side under the anchor about twen-
ty feet from the bow.
This shell exploded on the opposite side
of the gun deck, and on Its way instantly
killed Frank Blakely, a first-class appren-
tice, whose home was In Lawrence, Mass.
This was the only fatal missile which
struck The Texas during her fighting term.
a ~ faA oil
wounded succumbed to their injuries
A piece Of the shell which killed Blake
ley hit John Lively, a landsman in the
leg, and inflicted dangerous and painful
wound. Lively was llmping around tho
gun deck to-day. and said he would soon
be all right again.
During the engagement of July 3, when
the Texas was chasing Admiral Cervera's
vessels, big shell, probably from the AL
mirante Oquendo, pierced the starboard
bulkhead, underneath the bridge. 1t pass
ed through the ventilaior, and after car
rying away the ash-hoist, entered the
smokestack, where 1t exploded, but in
tured 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 shook the vessel considers
ably, and she will need general over
hauling. as her decks and supports have
been loosened. If occasion required, how
ever, the Texas could fight at a moments
notice, her batteries being in excellent or
der.
All the sailors, who were seen to-day.
said that the Texas was a wonderful ship.
and her record Off the Cuban coast had
laid at rest the stories which had been
circulated TO her being an unlucky ves-
sell
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 sailors and marines
were brought back from the squadron by
the Texas and they were all transferred
to the naval hospital adjoining the navy
yard. None Of them had been injured in
battle and in no case is there any fear
Of fatal results.
o Ia. -