Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-02-03
HAS TRAVELLED FAR
Ralph Mahon of U. S. Navy is
Home on Visit.
TELLS OF HIS EXPERIENCES At SEA
After Nearly Three Years of Service
Returns for Brief Visit With Faith
err, A. w. Mahon-Was in Navy Ma
fleuvers With Admiral Dewey.

From Saturdays Daily
After two years and eight months
spent as marine on board the United
States ship Albany, Ralph Mahon re,
turned home Thursday afternoon on a
ten days leave of absence during
which he will visit at the home of his
father, A. w. Mahou, on North Jeffer-
son street. Mr.. Mahon will return to
Boston at the end of the ten days and
report for duty. The Albany will
leave February j 5 to rejoin the ships
in the European station in the Medi-
terranean under command of Admiral
Crowinshield. Mr.. Mahon was seen
this morning by Courier reporter
and talked entertainingly of his tray
els. He stated that his term of ser
vice will not expire for two years and
two months and he thinks that by that
time he will have had enough of roam
Ing and will be anxious to settle down.
Visited Many Countries.
Since Joining the navy Mr.. Mahon
has visited in the West Indies, Portu,
gal, Cape Verde islands, Africa, Tur.
key, Asia, Greece, Austria, Italy
France, Spain, England. Belgium, Den
mark, Norway, Sweden and Russia
He stated that in all his travels the
most beautiful country he visited was
the little principally of Monaco, ruled
over by the Prince of Monaco and
noted for its Monte Carlo, with its
world famed vices. This little
principality on the Mediterrane
an" stated Mr. Mahon, which
covers but an area of eight square
miles, is the garden spot of the world
and is indeed most magnificent
place. 1t is now at the height OF
its season. The harbor of Monaco is
always filled with foreign yachts, fly
ing the colors of nearly every nation
in the world.
Have Sham Battle.
admiral Dewey, the hero of Ma
nilla, is the mems favorite officer in
the navy" stated Mr.. Mahon. 'He
was in command of the fleet maneu
yers in the Caribbean sea in which
the entire United States navy partici
pated. The Albany was at the Euro
pean station in the Mediterranean I'm
der Admiral Crowinshield when we
were ordered to join the big fleet mo
bilized at Porto Rico, where we tool
part in the series of naval maneuvers
The most important maneuver was the
sham war in which our squadron, the
European with the ships of the South
American station captured Porto Rice
against the entire United States navy
commanded by Admiral Dewey. Eigh
ships, including the Albany, made III
the attacking force, and we were OPP
posed by nearly 100 boats which were
patrolling the coast. The attacking
squadron was divided and the Albany
was enc of the four boats which
steamed into the harbor of Mayagues
early in the morning of November 8
and captured the city without being
compelled to fire a single shot. The
four other boats soon followed an6
we could have mined the harbor il
such manner that it would have
been impossible for the defending
fleet to intrench us from our position
A part of the army was entrenchet
on the island and signalmen were IL
close communication with the numer
I, GUS boats patrolling the island, bu
despite their watchfulness we gained
an entrance to the harbor.
Trip to Venezuela.
"In view of the possibility of troubl
over the Venezuelan difficulty much in
portance was attached to the maneuy
ers by the men of the navy. 1t was tn
general opinion that the sham battl
was arranged for the purpose of seein
what success an attacking fore
would have on the islam
of Porto Rico, while other
contend that the fleets presenc
there was for the purpose of the mora
effect that such a large fleet woul
have on the commanders of foreigl
s fleets. After the sham battle, we spen
week in drill practice, maneuvering
and target practice. We were sigma
led by the flagship Mayfower to max
ready for sea Oh November 10 for tn
purpose of conveying an officer, Firs
Lieut. Johnson to the gunboat M
chais lying at La Guayra. This wa
my only trip to Venezuela.
Ship Needs Repairing.
'tThere is some talk of making el
tensive repairs on the Albany and
is possible that it may be commissions
out of service. The ship needs repai
ing badly and there is contest on b.
tween the navy yards at Boston an
Brooklyn as to which will do the worl
Secretary OF the Navy Moody, is frol
Massachusetts, while the ship wa
named after the city of Albany, N. Y
and both states want the work of NAL
ing the repairs. The ship is now
New York undergoing some slight +
pairs and have been ordered to joi