Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-28
ETIQUETTE IN SALUTES
INTERNATIONAL PoLITENEss EN-
FORCED ON HIGH SEAS.
Mistakes of Gunners in Burning
Powder for Wrong
Vessels.
From ft-Bits.

llt-Bfs-
A very amusing Incident took place in
connection with the visit Of the Italian fleet
TO Toulon. the chief French naval ststiou
on the Mediterranean, just twelve months
ago. When the vessels took their depar-
ture they received salute OF twenty-one
guns from the battle ship Alexander II OF
the Russian navy. Immediately on being
sighted on Nillefrancha But no response
came from the Italian admiral whose in
explicable omission was rather adversely
commented on by the officers Of the cars
navy. Several hours later. however the
Italian man-Of-war Lepanto was seen re-
turning at fun speed. and on arriving at
the entrance to the roads her guns doomed
forth the salute which they had failed 10
accord in due course. The admiral was
apparently glad to set 1t over for by the
time the report of the twenty-first gun had
died away the Lepanto was well on her way
TO rejoin the Italian fleet. which was await
Ing her several miles out.
Saluted Wrong Ship.
On the conclusion of his term OF Office as
governor OF Victoria Lord Brassey returned
home on board his yacht, and was much
amused by a saluting mistake which WAS
made by battery Just outside the Heads
on his leaving Melbourne. About the same
time trading vessel. the Gulf of Genoa,
nightfall all on board were much surprised
at being honored with a salue from the
battery: Not realizing what il meant The
captain sent up four rockets In reply but
no notice being taken, he continued on his
way. As the vessel came under the rays
OF light from the light house the battery
officers saw, to their dismay, that they had
given to a mere merchant stea mer the sa-
Lutte intended for the governors yacht
When the latter came along they nut off
to her In launch and explained that all
their ammunition had been expended in in
adVertently saluting the Gulf of Genoa.
Lord Brassey could not help chuckling
at the humor OF the situation and exclaim-
ing Very good, very good" he cordially
shook hands with the detected officers and
wished them good luck as he babe them
goodbye.
Powder for a Trader
An Incident Of the same kind once ham
pened at a South American port. and might
easily have led to grave trouble between
the two countries concerned. A visit being
expected from a Portuguese war vessel,
preparations We're made to accord her the
proper salute. But the Brazilian officer in
charge of the battery and his men fell
asleep and were only awakened by the
shrill whistle Of a large vessel which was
entering the bay. The order was at once
given to fire, and II was only after the
guns had doomed forth that the approach
Ing vessel was discovered TO be a British
trader. ihefe was, however, no ammuni-
ton left for another salute, and when the
Portuguese warship arrived, as she did
very soon after her captain felt constrained
to demand an explanation Of the omission
OF the customary greeting. Not until ha
had been granted a formal apology from
the highest quarter did he consider the in
jured dignity Of his country indicated.
Sighted the Kaiser.
Not long ago an omitted salute nearly
cost a captain his command. While Brit
ish vessel belonging to a Scottish port was
steaming up the River weser she failed to
salute the imperial standard flying from
a German battle ship. which had the Ger
the German press this was made out to be
slight to the nation, and on the owners
being apprised of the incident they deprived
the captain Of his command. The master
then appealed to the emperor, explaining
that his whole attention was taken up in
navigating his vessel through a dangerous
narrow channel, and that the standard
was hanging foul of the mast he could not
see ii until the ship had passed. The en-
peror thereupon intmated to the owners
that he did not wish the captain TO lose his
position. and he was afterward relnstated.
Nowhere are the rules OF international
politeness so strictly enforced as on the
sea. on entering a foreign port a vessel
has first TO salute the flag OF the country
and after that the ships of war. IL there
should be any present. After playing God
Save the King" at the hoisting Of cOlOrs IN
the morning the national anthem Of every
country having a warship present has 10
be gone through by the band. In this con-
nection 1t is interesting to note that on one
occasion in the Mediterranean the British
flagship had to play no fewer than fifteen
national anthems. inclusive Of her own.