New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-27
THE BOSTON AT SAN FRANCISCO.

FIRST, OF DEWEY'S MANILA FLEET ~
RETURN TO THE PACIFIC COAST
San Francisco. Aug. 26 (SpeciaD.-The Uni'eu
States protected cruiser Boston. OF Deweys ue-
structive feet, Is lying off the Folsom-st' Whari
with beautiful American flag OF great propor-
tions futtering aft in the breeze and narro"
bomeward bound pennant four hundred iee'
long trailing out far astern from the top peak "a
the mainmast She came through the rolueh
Gate at $50 o'clock this morning, the very hrS'
war vessel OF Dewey's lighting fleet to return u
the Pacific Coast, and, without any warning Vi
welcoming demonstrations, steamed quiety past
silent batteries and undipped Government Haes
IN q nosition almost within hailing distance vi
the battle ship Iowa. As the Boston approacheu
the big white naval bulldog that WreaKeu VEN
eeance on Cervera's fleet her officers saw rear
Admiral's flag blowing out taught ana u''''"0
from the top of the mainmast OF the iowa. anu
the Boston doomed out seventeen guns II"
Iowa answered with seven guns, forfHai coi'i
pliment paid to a captain
The BOSTON left Manila on June :, and stopper
on her way at Hong Kong, Nagasah ana iiono-
lulu. Considerable delay occurred al the las.
named port. becAse of the illness OF the "iie u
Captain Whiting. in command Inc Vessei wac
held n fortnight but as the Invalid was sun Al
a critical condition 1t was finally uecloeu '""
Captain Whiting should remain behiho' Coiii-
mander Hughes, formerly of the Petrei coii-
tinuing the voyage as commanding oincei' -
record run for warship was made between
Yokohama and Honolulu. Fair weather anu
good health were the lot Of the Boston all inc
rav home. not q man arrived here i'll, and not
a death occurred on the trip
Seventeen officers. POS bluejackets and y ma
rines came home on the cruiser. Only three OIL
GERS and ffty-six men are members or the ere"
that took part in the battle of Manila Bay. All
>the others are fighting officers and men, Trans
ferred from other vessels OF the neet' 10 pe
transported back to America, because Oh 'he
approaching expiration Of their services.
The officers now with the Boston are Lieu
tenant Commander +. NJ Hughes, commanding;
lieutenant Commander w II. Allen. navigator
IJeutenants r. T. Hall, J. Gibson, l.. r. Slocum
r. s. Coontz O. =. Jackson. L. F. James ana
H. l. Cone: Ensign f. McCauley, Passed AS
sistant Surgeon B. r. Ward, Assistant surgeon
l. Chaffee Passed Assistant Paymaster Is. T.
Dubois, Pay Clerk w. d. Bolard, Acting Gun
ner /. 2. Wallace. Acting Carpenter Wlllam
Boone and Captain Of Marines l.. j. McGill
Lieutenant Commander Allen was formerly on
the Oregon and mentioned for bravery In
the action off the coast of Cuba Lleutenants
Slocum and Coontz were In service with the
cruiser Charleston and participated in many
assaults against Notifications and intrenched
Filpinos along the shores of Manila Bay.
1870 men and officers of her crew to other ships
OF the fleet in exchange for men whose terms
Of service had almost expired. One officer and
nine men have returned invalids. The officer Is
Lieutenant W. II. Moffett, of the Charleston
His health broke down in active service in the
tropical climate. He is going directly to his old
home in Charlestown. Mass. He Is now an ap-
parently well man.
Oft mooted theories OF Congressman concern
ing the usefulness Of Warships were entirely dis
proved by the record Of the Boston. She was
put into commission ten years before the battle
of Manila Bay. and is to-day fine firm, sea-
worthy cruiser though she has been In COM
mission continuously for four years. She took
an honorable part in the battle, and proudly
bears five great scars inflicted by Spanish balls.
Her great after gun, that the sailors proudly
pat and call the Whale" spoke in thunder
tones on that memorable May !. in response to
a single shot from Corregidor Island The one
mighty shell tore straight for the big Spanish
gun the island fort and tumbled II of Its
mount, then exploded. killing forty Spaniards
on watch to sink the American fleet. When the
Boston was about To approach Manila Bay
Captain Lambert assembled his men on the
after deck. and the battle flag was being run
aloft he said simply and with wave Of his
hand, laconically, There goes the flag, boys.
that you fight for