Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-08-20
A NAVAL SPECTACLE.
President Roosevelt Inspects Some
Of the Country's Warships.
an ACCIDENT OCCURS At CONCLUSION
Torpedo Boat Destroyer Barry Rammsd
the Destroyer Decatur. Fortunately.
However. Doing Little Damage
Many Shots Fired.

uy lie pTeSlueuJ Oh Tue Uult6u Othtod
yesterday reviewed and inspected In
time Of peace great fleet of United
States warships. The ceremony was
q magnificent and impressive naval
spectacle. 1t was unmarried by the
slightest mishap until just at its con-
clusion, when the torpedo boat de-
stroyer Barry rammed the destroyer
Decatur, fortunately, however, doing
little damage. The incident was ex-
citing. 1t occurred just at the mo-
ment when the president was receiving
congratulations upon the success Of
the maneuvers.
The first squadron Of destroyers, con-
sisting Of the Decatur, cambridge,
Barry, Dale and Chauncey, all under
command Of Lieut.. L. H. Chandler,
was approaching the Mayflower at full
speed. The vessels were In close for
nation.
Orders were signalled from the De-
catur to the other vessels to form
wedge. In executing the orders the
Decatur swung across the bow Of the
Barry. An instant later the Barry
rammed her on the starboard side.
AS the ships were running at speed
of 20 knots the blow was tremendous.
The Decatur listed sharply to port and
seemed to be in serious distress.
From the Mayfower she appeared to
be sinking.
The Mayfower's boats were manned
instantly, but were not lowered, as
the Decatur was seen to right her
self. In a few minutes she hoisted
signal Of mo serious damage"
Later she steamed alongside the May
flower and Lieut. Chandler reported
that while his ship had received a
bad bump on the starboard she was
not materially damaged. The injury
was plainly evident from the deck Of
the Mayfiower. She had been struck
about halfway between her stern and
and q large dent had been
made in her plates. The starboard rail
was damaged, but otherwise the ves-
sci was intact. The Barry, which had
struck the Decatur glancing blow,
had her bow crumpled by the collision,
but she was not injured otherwise.
The accident put sudden stop to the
of the destroyer squadron.
The vessels came to an immediate
stop, the cambridge, Dale and Chaun-
cey standing by the two In collision.
Boats were lowered from two Of them,
but after a casual examination Of the |
Injuries to the Barry and Decatur the !
boats returned to their vessels.
Admiral Dewey ordered Lieut.
Chandler to proceed with the five ves-
sells to the Brooklyn navy yard, where
such repairs as may be necessary
could be made quickly After the
iamage has been repaired the squad
'on will rejoin the feet and continue
he summer maneuvers.
President Roosevelt, who was intent
y watching the squadron of Destroy
IFS when the accident occurred, re-
marked that such accidents, especially
o destroyers, were likely to occur at
my time. In the execution Of war
some chances, he said,
must be taken and II the time ever
hould come when the navy was afraid
Il scratching of the paint Of vessel
is efficiency would deteriorate mate
tally.
Both the president and Mrs Roose-
'elt noted the accident with great
almness, notwithstanding the fact
hat their son, Kermit, was on board
he Decatur at the time Of the colli-
ion. He was standing beside Lieut.
when the vessel ran along
ide the Mayhower to report. In COM
lenting upon the accident Admiral
,ewey said that really II amounted
D little and would delay the vessels
4 their movements only a few days.
At the conclusion Of the review
resident Roosevelt entertained his
uests and all the commanding off,
ers Of the feet at a delightful lunch
On on board the Mayhower. At
le conclusion Of the luncheon the
Ulcers returned to their ships. At
3: 2s the president left the Mayfiower
/ a barge for the flagship Kearsarge
, return the call Of Rear Admiral
arker. After chatting with Admiral
arker and casually inspecting the
the president, before visit
x the other fiagships to return the
Ills Of the rear admirals, addressed
le enlisted men and oficers Of the
lip. They had been drawn up on
ie gun deck.
As the president and his party ar
we'd and as they departed in turn
ON each Of the four fagships, the
eansarEe. Olympia, Yankee and
sxas. every one Of the saluting ships
the feet fred q salute Of q guns.
uring the entire ceremonies Of the
" 1904 shots were fred. all from
Upon returning Of the
'ealdent 10 the MayhoveF after his
n upon the flag omesrs the vessel got
der var and staanad aasfSAsS Aas