The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-09-06
VISIT TO THE FLEET.
President Mckinley Takes q Look at
the Big Sea Fighters.

Philadelphia, Sept st was the in
tention to have the chief eecutive re-
main here until Friday to review the
naval parade and visit the squadron,
but the presidents desire to return to
Washington last night caused a fear
rangement in the programme. The Wis
it of the president to the squadron
proved to be the greatest marine spec
tacle ever seen here.
1t was the intent IN to have Mr.. Nc
Kinley visit only the New York but he
grew so enthusiasts over the great
fighters that he visited the flagship
New York, cruiser Brooklyn AMI the
battleships Indiana, Massachusetts and
Texas. There was almost a continuous
roar of guns during the one and three
quarters hours that it took to inspect
the vessels. In all 462 guns were fired
by the squadron in presidents Sa Iutes.
There was great crowd u + Chestnut
street wharf when the president board
ed the admiral's pulling barge, manned
by u bronzed sailors from the New
York. Signals had been run up on the
flagship to clear ship for action and
prepare for action and prepare TO
receive the president
Rear Admiral Sampson, Captains
Chadwick, Taylor, Sigsbee, Jewell,
Train and Hamphiu and their respec-
tive staffs, who had viewed the Grand
Army parade had returned to their
six big vessels. The decks of all of
them were soon stripped of every
movable article.
It was AIS when the president board
ed the barge. He was accompanied by
Secretary of War Root, Secretary of
Agriculture Wilson, Lieutenant Com
mander WinslOW, Mayor Ashbridge,
United States Senator SewaH, and Di-
rector of Public Safety English. Every
vessel in the harbor propelled by steam
let its whistle go and this, with the
cheers of the crowds on shore, made a
deafening noise. The president was the
first to step on board the flagship from
the steep ladder that hangs over the
New YOrk's side, and as he did so, the
entire squadron poured forth the presi-
dents salute of Il guns, 126 guns in
all The bands of all the ships stimuli
taneously played Hail to the Chief
The president was received at the
gangway by Rear Admiral Sampson
and the staff officers of the ship, who
were in special dress uniform. The
rail was manned by the men during the
formal greeting. The call to quarters
was then sounded and every man on
board ship sprang to his place just as
though an engagement was about to
start. The sight greatly pleased the
president. Mr.. Mckinley was then
shown over the whole ship, starting at
the aft turret, in which two S-inch guns
are located. Standing within the small
Enclosure of the turret were eight men
naked to the waist, who were going
and firing the guns. The president
watched the proceeding with much in
tereSt. He took half hour to go over
the vessel, and then the president eX-
pressed a wish to visit the other ships.
AS he left the New York the entire
fleet again fired the presidents salute.
Captain Taylor was at the gangway
when the chief executive came aboard
and he was greeted again by twenty
one guns. The battleship like the New
York was cleared for action with am
munitiOn up. Captain Taylor conducted
the president to the great l3-inch guns
aft and the latter nimbly climbed to the
top of the turret. While he stood on the
turret it was swung around the big
guns weer sighted and the entire me-
chanism of the turret was explained to
him.
From the Indiana, Mr.. Mckinley was
rowed to the Massachusetts, Brooklyn
and Texas. He did not inspect these
vessels, but merely cOntented himself
by greeting the commanders of each.
On all these vessels the men were
drawn up along the rails and all the
officers were in full uniform.
The return of the president to the
shore was an inspiring one. The Texas
was mOored further up the river and
the presidential party had to pass each
of the great vessels on it's return to
shore. The river was alive with craft
crowded to their utmost capacity and
great noise was being made. AS the
barge neared the flagship, the signal
was given to salute, and the six big
ships again give forth a terrific salute
Every man and officer on the ships
stood at attention and the bands added
to the din by again playing Hail to
the Chief The barge was stopped
while the salute was being fired and
after it had ceased the twelve brawny
sailors pulled for the shore, closing one
of the most patriotic scenes that has
ever taken place on the river
President Mckinley proved to be a
good sailor. The river was very rough
because of the large number of steam
vessels in the vicinity of the squadron.
The barge constantly pitched violently
but the president rather enjoyed the
| shake up.
A noticeable feature of the visit to
| the fleet was the presidents cordial
| greeting of the men On each ship. He
| never once forgot the boys and bowed
to them upon entering and leaving the
| ships.