The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-26
THE KEARsARGE INSPECTED.


Emperor william Asked Questions
and Paid Compliments.
KEEL, Prussia, June 25.-"I shall tele-
graph to the President to-day, sirs. tell
ing him in what perfect condition i have
found your ship" said Emperor William
i'm parting with Rear Admiral Cotton and
Captain Hemphill on board the American
flagship Kearsarge to-day after he had
spent an hour and a half looking over the
battleship as thoroughly as any naval in
spector could have done, working the tur-
rets. examining the quarters of the men,
looking at the food in the galley and talking
Familiarity with some of the able seaulen.
The Emperor came alongside the star
board quarter OF the Kearsarge, steering his
own barge, attended by Captain Won
Grumme, while up the port gangway came
Admiralty Secretary Won Tirpitz Admiral
Won den-Bibran, chief of the imperial
naval cabinet; General Won Plessen and
Count Won Gutenberg. Admiral Cotton anc
his staff, Captain Hemphill, all the other
American commanders. and all the officers
of the ship. except the midshipmen. who
were at quarters, received the Emperor
on the quarter deck.
II am happy to welcome your Majesty on
an American ship" said Admiral Cotton.
land / wish that / were receiving you on
| American SOIL.
81 am very happy to be here" the EN-
all the captains whom he met yesterday,
calling them by name, and with all the
juniors who were preSsnted In turn; -
tain Hemphill. 81 want to see your ship"
Captain Hemphill thereupon led the way
with the Emperor. Admiral Cotton follow
ING wit hA oil hos
| American captains accompanying the men,
bers of his Majesty's suite.
! Emperor William entered on the double
| turrets and scrutinized the mechanism.
Lieutenant Muslin Of the Kearsarge showed
| the Emperor the speed and smoothness
| with which the turret could be turned.
THE KAISER INQUISITIvE.
What is the real value Of these turrets?"
asked the Emperor, turning to Captain
Hemphill
THAT could only be known in war; SIR"
replied the Captain. who then explained
| the theoretical effectiveness of the gunfrs
ON which the design was based.
| The Emperor recalled some of the re-
cent French experiments with double tur.
| rets, in which sheep In ono turret were
killed by the shock of gunfire in the other.
the shortness of the guns which the French
experimenters used"
In calling the attention of one of the
members of his suite to Captain Hemphflrs
| service on the monitor when she first went
4 into action, and TO some other fierce naval
combats OF the civil war, the Emperor
added: Those men are gods TO US. His
| Majesty also said the coming tower was the
most roomy he had ever been in With the
telephone and signal apparatus In every
part of the ship. the Emperor was naturally
| familiar and he pointed out one or two
good new things. The German constructors
have been having some trouble with cleo
IL ~
| cially interested in them. At the present
| the Kearsarge's general electrical system Is
| invincible. as II is inclosed in semi-p erma-
nent construction.
JOKES WITH MARINES.
| While the Emperor was inspecting the
mems quarters, he conversed with several
of the blue Jackets and jbkingly asked one
old hand how long he had been in the serv-
| ice The sailor replied: ''Twenty-four
| years.
THAT is long enough to be an admiral"
said the Emperor.
| When His Majesty's inspection OF the
Kearsarge was finished. the party went TO
| the admirars cabin and the Emperor see
ing large rocking chair, exclaimed;
What is that forT'
For emperors." replied Admiral Cotton.
| Then I'll take IT," said the Emperor.
Some bottles of champagne were then
| opened.
| After n quarter OF an nouf general talks
J the Emperor left the battleship and Admi-
| raj Cotton assembled the entire ships COM
| pany and addressed them as follows:
1.-The Emperor has inspected the ship
| quickly but very thoroughly. His Majesty
4 is a Judge OF all technical naval matters.
| He expressed himself as greatly pleased
with what he saw. thank the Officers and
| crew for the condition of the ship. 1 hope
| that every man here will remember that he
| is a representative OF the United States and
| that he will conduct himself In such man.
4 lrf. ralf
/ his flag We are here by order OF the Pres
| ident IL is our duty TO do all I'm our power
| TO preserve the feeling OF friendship and
| cordiality between the United states and
| Germany. Three cheers for His Majesty.
the Emperor.
The seven hundred officers and men on the
kearsarge therefore gave three hearty
| cheers for Emperor William.
HEMPHILL KNOWS HIS BUSINESS.
| The Emperor received Ambassador Tow
or on the imperial yacht Hohenzollern i'm
mediately returning from his inspection OF
the American flagship. He expressed to
the ambassador his qualification over his
| experience on the Kearsarge.
Captain Hemphill knows his business"
said Emperor William. He is a captain
who understands his ship. He does not
have to ask other people before answering
The Emperor gave dinner tonight on
| the Hohenzolern TO Admiral Cotton. the
| American captains. Ambassador Tower
| United States Naval Attache Potts and all
the other members of the United States
| embassy staff. Prince Henry of Prussia. the
| German admirals and the other members
of the imperial party and Chancellor Won
| Buelow. who Is recovering from a sharp
Berlin TO be present at this and Ambas sa-
| dor Towers dinner tomorrow. Admiral
Cotton will entertain the Emperor az break
fast on the kearsarge on Saturday.
I German