Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-08
EVERY COURTESY
Being Shown Our Naval Of:
fcerS at Portsmouth. .
Visits Exchanged Between Admira
Cotton, Mayor and British Officers.
Reports of Desertions at kieI India
nantly Lenied.

Reports OF Desertions at kieI India
nantly Lenied.
Portsmouth, Eng, July 27.-With the
boom of cannon. the British fleet on
behalf of King Edward welcomed the
United States European squadron to
Great Britaln'S naval Headquarters,
Tuesday morning. The gunboat Ma
'chias Joined the flagship Kearsarge, the
Chicago and the San Francisco early
in the morning, and, shortly after s
O'Clock, signals began to flutter from
the mast heads of the American and
British ships. The latter in obedience
to signal from Lord Charles Beres-
ford, the commander of the channel
squadron, formed two lines and down
this lane Of huge gray warships moved
the Americans, their white sides gleam-
ing in the sunlight.
National salutes were fired by each
squadron, which were followed by an
exchange of saluteS to Rear Admiral
Cotton and Vice Admiral Beresford.
Subsequently, the two admirals ex-
changed calls on the flagships, accord
ing to usual honors as each came over
the side. AT high tide the American
Warships entered the harbor led by the
Kearsarge, which was moored south
of the railway jetty and within a
stones throw of Nelson's old flagship,
Victoria, King Edwards yacht the
Victoria and Albert, and the battleship
Collingwood, flagship of Admiral Ro-
than, the communicated chief of
Portsmouth.
AS the Kearsarge approached the jet
ty attention" was sounded on the Vic
toria and Albert, the Victor and the
other ships in the harbor, courtesy
which was returned by the Kearsarge,
on the deck of which was drawn up an
admirars guard of so marines under
the command of Lieut.. Colley
AS soon az the Kearsarge was berth
ed Sir VIM. Dupree the mayor of
Portsmouth, boarded her and greeted
Admiral Cotton, saying:
THE people of Portsmouth welcome
the American squadron and extend to
it's officers and men all the courtesies
they can offer"
Admiral Cotton replied, expressing
his pleasure at the welcome extended
to the squadron and thanking the ma
yor in behalf of the United States gov
eminent and himself.
On the departure of the mayor, Rear
Admiral Milne, commander of the royal
yachts. specially detailed by King Ed
ward to welcome the Americans, arriv-
ed on board the Kearsarge and was re-
Inv II r,t
Hemphill "
Admiral Milne expressed gratifica-
tion of King Edward of the arrival of
the squadron and in behalf of His Maj
esty welcomed it to England. Suisse
quently Admiral Cotton. Capt. Hemp
hill and the staff officers visited the
naval officials. escorted by an admirals
guard and a band.
Immediately after Admiral Cotton
returned on board the Kearsarge, Adj
miral Hotham and his staff returned
Admiral Cotton'S call. Subsequently
the American officers ended the official
visits by calling on the mayor of Ports
mouth.
Admiral Cotton and the other Ameri-
can officers while in London will be
guests of the nation.
The admiral vigorously denies the re-
port which appeared in the German
newspapers that over 100 men deserted
from his squadron at Kiel. He de-
clares the discipline of the crews is eX-
|cellent.
AS a matter of fact" said Captain
Hemphill, only one man, corporal of
marines, left the Kearsarge. This is a
good record, in view of the fact that
we have 500 men on board"
The American squadron's first day in
British waters has ended as brilliantly
as it began. While Admiral Hotham
entertained Admiral Cotton and the
American captains at dinner, tonight.
the Junior officers of the United States
vessels were dining on board the Brit
ish gunnery ship Excellent. The Eng
liSh and American ships were illuni-
mated, this evening, the spectacle at
tracing thousands of onlookers who
watched it from the iag-bedecked
streets. Outside Spithead the British
channel squadron lay outlined in white
electric lights.
The dinner given by Admiral Hotham
was characterized by considerable
warmth of feeling. There were no for
NAL toasts except those to King Ed
ward and the President of the United
States and no set speeches.
The following dispatch has been re
ceived by Admiral Cotton:
buckingham Palace, July Z.
Admiral Cotton, U. S. Battleship kear-
sarge:
The King welcomes you and your
squadron to England and is looking
forward to greeting you and your
brother officers in London.
! Admiral Cotton Immediately replied
as follows:
| Flagship Kearsarge, Portsmouth.
Lord Knollys. Secretary to His Majcs-
| ty. King Edward VII, Buckingham
Palace, London:
| Rear Admiral Cotton acknowledges
with grateful appreciation His Males