Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-11-04
IA 2EwELL NAVAL BALL
To CHANDLER AND MEN


One of the Norfolk, Va, papers con-
tains glowing account of the farewell
ball given by the officers and men of
the torpedo fotilla which is to leave
for the Philippines in a short time in
charge of Lieut. Lloyd II. Chandler.
Lieut.. Chandler, who is known to
great many of the society people of
the tri-cities, was leader of the grand
entree. Edward Jensen, of this city
whose home is at 251S Eighth avenue.
who is an ordinary seaman aboard the
u. S. s. cambridge, had the honor of
being assistant floor manager at this
ball. He states in his letter that every
thing went off in tip-tcp fashion. The
account Of the ball follows:
The ffotilla'S farewell ball. the first
social function of its sort held in the
history of the navy, eclipsing by far
the fondest hopes of the ball com
mittee, headed by Chief Gunner's
Mate Harvey j. Davis. L. 5. N, of the
torpedo boat destroyer Bainbridge.
was held in the spacious sail loft in
the navy yard last night.
This immense ball room, transform
ed into Il perfect maze of American.
foreign and signal-code flags, present
ed an animated scene.
1t is estimated that upwards of l.,
200 people were assembled on the
floor of the ball room when the grand
entree, led by Lieut.. Lloyd II. Chand-
Ter. the flotilla commander. and his
wife, announced the beginning of the
nights pleasure.
Among the many prominent naval
officers and their wives ON the floor at
this time were Rear Admiral p F.
Harrington. commander Of the naval
station; Capt. j. +. Craig. executive
officer of the yard, and wife; Lieut..
Lloyd II. Chandler, and wife; Capt. Il.
w. Milligan. steam engineering de-
partment: Lieut.. G. W. Williams. COM
handing the Bainbridge. and wife;
Ensign Thomas, Lieut.. Il. l. Curtin.
commanding the Lawrence; Lieut.. y.
f. Irwin, commanding the Barry;
Lieut.. Toomer. Paymaster Tiffany, of
the tiotilla, and many others.
President Theodore Roosevelt, to
whom an invitation to be present, was
extended, sent his regrets. stat
ing that. while it would be a source
pressure of business would not allow
him to leave Washington at this time
He. however. extended to the men a
hearty wish for the success Of the ev-
ening.
Secretary of the Navy William II.
Moody, also expressed regrets at be
ing unable to be present
Letters of regret were also receiv-
ed from Lieut.. stephen +. Moses. com
manding the Chauncey. he and Mrs
Moses being out of the city; and Mrs.
Harrington. wife of the commandant
she being in Washington.
At the conclusion of the first part
cf the program 500 hundred guests
were seated in the blue room, adioin-
ing the ball room. and a sumptuous
repast was served. 4 second service
was necessary to accommodate the re-
naming guests.
Rear Admiral Harrington eompli-
mented the men very highly for the
successful manner in which the fare
wei bail was conducted. and for the
elaborate decoration Of the scene of
festivities.
Here were to be seen flags of all
other countries near the Asiatic sta
ton being draped about the exit of
the hall in full view of the guests
leaving the room. reminding them
that those "Jackies" with whom they
had mingled We're soon TO leave for
the far-off Philippines to protect
Americas interests.
The event last evening was not
wholly naval affair, but all branches
of the government service. including
state militiamen. were present. Sail
ors. mariners. members of the coast
artillery, were much in evidence. and
all mingled together in harmony and
good fellowship.
Through the courtesy of the com
mandant, the navy yard tug Wahneta
made a special trip from the yard at
1920 a. M, to Norfolk. carrying on
board many guests from that city.
BY special arrangement with the
Norfolk, Portsmouth and Newport
News company, special trips were
made after midnight ON the navy yard
division for the accommodation of
those guests residing i'm this city.
Runaway Bicycle.
Terminated with an t1oIV' cut on the