The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-20

observed than during the visit
of the United States cruiser
Badger.
At s o'clock in the morning all the
vessels in the harbor were dressed in
their best suits Of bunting, the tackles
donned their cleanest white toys and
the cooling showers of the early morn
ing had passed over.
The chief attraction Of the day was
the launching and cruise Of the battle
ship Missouri manned so in honor of
Captain James NJ. Miller, who halls
from that State). For several days be-
fore the Fourth there were mysterious
'gOings on" up on top Of the forward
house. many men of the carpenters
gang were. seen skulking around with
hammers, saws, boat gear, etc, trying
in vain to hide the fact that something
was up, Just to tickle the old man"
At 9 o'clock sharp the warning notes
Of the herald, played on an immense
horn twelve feet long, announced the
approach Of Uncle Sam, who, in COM
pany with Admiral Farragut in his
flagship Missouri and the Secretary
Of State, were TO pay an official visit
10 the English and German cruisers in
the harbor Headed by the band, and
several fair damsels, who scattered
roses in their wake, the procession
marched on TO the quarterback, where
Uncle Sam and his retinue were duly
received with all naval courtesies by
Captain Miller and the officers Of the
Badger. the admiral making an ap-
propriate speech, which was ably re-
sponded to by Captain Miller on behalf
Of the three great powers represented
on board.
The meeting between Admiral Farra-
gut and Captain Miller was truly touch
ing, and the admiral expressed both
his delight and surprise at being given
for his flagship the Missouri" which
he hoped would prove as stanch and
true TO the Union as was the State
after which she was named.
Twelve stdeboys manned the star
board gangway. and, to the stirring air
OF Yankee Doodle" the admiral es-
corted Uncle Sam on board the
Missouri, which vessel lay proudly
at anchor off the Badger
When but Il short distance away on
her trip to the English cruiser .Taur-
anga, the Missouri" hove to and there
was much excitement visible on her
decks. A boarding officer was sent to
her from the Badger, and upon return
ing, stated that owing to careless
ness on the part of some of the work.
men, the propeller had in some man
ner got tangled up with the foretop
dOwnhaul, and she would be unable to
proceed on her voyage unless she re-
ceived some assistance from the
Badger. Captain Miller kindly fur
nished the use of a steamer to tow the
Missouri" across the bay to the
Tauranga, and was warmly thanked
by the admiral for his courtesy thus
extended. Thus, with the assistance
of the tow line, and some slight exer-
ton on the part Of the fireroom gang.
the Missouri" duly hove in sight Of
II. NJ. S. Tauranga, when the royal
English ensign was hoisted at the
main, and the usual twenty-one gun
salute was fired, which salute was an
swered, gun for gun, by the Tauranga-
The party were given a royal recep-
ton by Captain Stuart of the Taur-
anga. and all the honors of the English
nation were laid at the feet Of the ad-
miral and Uncle Sam.
Captain Stuart and Uncle Sam were
closely closeted in the private office OF
the captain for some time, and it is
safe to state that their conversation
may prove Of some significance, bear
ing on the visit of the Joint High Com
mission to Samoa, but, be that as II
may, when Uncle Sam Joined the ad-
miral on the quarterback Of the Taur-
anga, 1t was noticed that the face of
the former wore q very troubled ex-
preston.
AT TO a. m. the Missouri proceeded
on her voyage, all the shipping in the
harbOr dipping their flags and saluting
her in various ways, besides parading
their marine guards with four -four
fishes.
AS she steamed alongside the New
Zealand Government cruiser Tutanekai
she fired twenty-one guns, with the
English ensign still at the main, which
salute was answered by that vessel, and
the admiral and Uncle SAM. accom-
panied by his secretary and staff, were