The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1899-10-13
Admiral Farragul'S Flagship Hart
ford Goes Into Commission.
RE- DEDICATION CEREMONIES
The Old Fighting Vessel Has Arma'
menl and Appliances of War I'm
dreamed Of in Faragul'S Day
san EraneisoO Chronicle,

san FrantiseO Chronicle.
Tine h0nored traditions jostle wit
new strange inventions ON board IN
historic old flagship Hartford. now ut
ting out spick and span at Mare is
land for a cruise that will extend prob
ably around the world. Memories tina
are woven into the history of the coun
try are recalled by the wheel tha
guld al the ship to Farraguts grea
victories at New Orleans and Mobile
and the hell that sounds the hours Il
the same that the great admiral hearC
during many anxious nights. Blu
bristling new rapid-fire guns are there
too. and electric lights. and dozens o.
appliances Of war undreamed of in Far
raguts day.
The glory OF the Hartford as a flag
ship. leading a squadron through
fame, thunder and death to victory. is
past. But the usefulness of the hon
est Old ship is unimpaired. Perhaps,
too. in her oruisings, new history will
Be made-no one can tell, now, what
any vessel Of the American navy viii
not undertake and accomplish. Like
the brief but fierce rage of an old, old
man, the Hartford may sweep down
upon some distant archipelago where
the name Of Uncle Sam is taken 10
vain. and. opening her oaken sides,
pour out the vials Of wrath. If the oc-
casion should arise, the Hartford can
be depended upon to do her duty, to
the last splinter. for she is built Of ne
roic stuff, and is manned by 500 Of the
brightest and stoutest boys ever gath
cred on an American ship. Every one
is a native born American, physically
perfect, selected for his intelligence,
education, soundness and general good
character. In the hands Of such lads
the old Hartford will feel new life, and
might do such deeds as to cause her
proud steel sisters to dip the flag Of
honor.
The Hartford, after lying at Mare is
land since 1894. during which time she
has been entirely overhauled, repaired
and largely rebuilt, was placed in COM
mission on Monday, Oct End. The GER
emony, on account Of the glorious his
tory of the ship, was more expressive
than the usual brief exchange Of au-
thority. The Hartford is now a train
iI.g ship, designed to be the home Of
young Americans who in future will
be the backbone of the navy; and there
is something appropriate in their be-
ing housed in such a craft, with noble
examples Of valor and seamanship i'm
pressed upon their minds. Just before
2 p. m. on the day named, the 500
young men making up the crew Of the
Hartford marched on board, headed by
their own band, and all dressed in
then best clothes. They assembled on
both sides Of the quarterback.
Promptly at o'clock Captain W. W.
Mead, U. 5. N, captain Of the yard,
gave orders 10 hoist the flag and break
the pennant, which signfied that the
ship was again in commission. The
band struck up the "Star-Spangled
Banner and all officers and men
turned and saluted the flag. Captain
Mead then turned to Commander John
NJ. hawley, U. S. n, and said: II have
the honor Of putting you in charge Of
Admiral Farragut's famous flagship"
Commander Hawley read the order
from the secretary Of the navy di-
recting him 70 assume command Of the
vessel and then gave a short speech,
in which he highly praised the appear
ance Of the handsome fellows who
make up the crew. Then, with more
music, the men marched back to the
receiving Independence, where
they will remain until the work on the
Hartford is completed A salute
would have been fired from the old Tag
ship in honor of Admiral Kempff, COM
mandant Of the navy yard, except for
the fact that the Hartford was along
side the dock.
It viii be about a month before the
Hartford is ready for sea. No more
busy sight can be found than on and
about the ship. spry, bright-faced lads
between IS and 25 years Of age run