The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-18
Ernest Turner, Engi-
neer on Olympia,
in Worcester.
ALL men PROUD OF THE ADMIRAL
He Has Too Much Yankee
Independence to Go
Into Politics.

Ernest Turner, engineer on Admiral
Dewey'z' flagship, the Olympia. is
trodding Worcester soil for a few days.
Turner reached this city early last eve
ming from Boston, where he received
his last wad of government pay, his
six years term of servece having ex-
pired.
Turner's home is in Baltimore, ND,
and during his visit in this city he will
be entertained by Arthur Clarkson, 317
West Boylston street. Turner was
seen by The Spy man last evening. In
speaking of his part in the war, and in
reference to Admiral Dewey, Turner
said: Il was first on the Olympia in
1885, shortly after the vessel was put i'll
commission. / knew Admiral Dewey
then and respected him as leader. lie
has not changed much in the past four
years.
During the war 1 was assigned to
duty on the Baltimore, and 1T Is Use
less for me to attempt to give any de-
scription of the battles in and around
Manila bay. Every newspaper reader
knows more about what actually &C.
CURED than 1 do. My only battle ex-
decks, but it isn's the most enjoyable
experience in the world to work il a
snug boiler-room, where the thermoIn-
eter goes up to 140 degrees and have an
occasional reminder through orders sent
below that a battle is in progress.
Americans always like to do their
share of the hard fighting, and II is dlf
ficult to find men who can have them
selves cooped up below decks while n
r,F
a new engineer is to get on deck and
help man gun. After my first SER
vice on the Olympia, l was assigned to
duty aboard the Monterey and later Tie
Philadelphia.
My time expired when 1 was in the
Philippines, and I came home on the
Olympia. Did 1 see much of Admiral
Dewey? Well, young man, I saw him
every day, and that was not bit too
often. The admiral is held in higher
esteem by the men aboard the Olym-
pia than by the public. OF course, they
dc not have a chance to tender recep-
lions of the New York and Boston or
der, but when Dewey wants the men
to fight, they do it.
II have read in newspapers that it
seems almost unfair to give Dewey en-
tire credit for the Manila bay victory.
Every man in the naval service who
will tell you that the admiral deserves
every bit Of credit and honor that has
been bestowed upon him. Patriotism
is not lacking in the naval fighters, but
no other man but Dewey could have
conquered the Spanish fleet with the
| force he had to draw upon The secret
| of Dewey's success is in the fact that
every man under him has the deepest
| love for him. To fulfill his order is
l nj i'm f fI1o Il,
and that is the naval method of show
ing appreciation.
| "Of course, I cannot tell you of
Dewey's characteristics, but I know
| that no other man could occupy the
position he does with as little furry
! Personally, I believe that the admiral
| is the leader best known to the men
in the naval service Of this country
By knowing every man under him, Ad-
miral Dewey commands their respect
Nc other naval leader ever became sc
well known to his men. On the home
ward voyage he came below decks al
least once every day, and it seemed
to give him the greatest of pleasure In
watching the smiles of satisfaction or
the faces of the men as we neare6
home. How it must have worn upor
his nerves to be petted and lauded by
| the press and publici Dewey would
be the last man l would ever expecr
| to see in politics. He was born tC
rule, but as high executive, officer he
would not be popular with the politi.
cal shysters because there is too much
of old Yankee independence in him.
Engineer Turner said last night thai
he had not formulated plans for the
future, Six years service in the navy
may draw him back, but until he has
got the kinks out CT his sea legs, Tur.
ner will remain in Worcester.