The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-05
PRAIRIE AND Topeka
RIDE IN THE RIVER
Cruiser and Training Ship
Visited by Hundreds.
FRIENDLY WELCOME FOR ALL
Brought Here So That Their Crews
Night Take Part in Fourth of
July Parade.

Gaily decorated from stem TO stern
with the bright flags of all nations. and
futtering pennants interspersed accord
ing to official regulations. two imposing
locking ships OF the United states Navy
ride at anchor in the channel opposite
Washington Barracks. They are the
converted cruiser Prairie and the train
ing ship Topeka, ordered here from
Hampton Roads by Secretary Moody for
the purpose of having detachments Of
their men participate in the Fourth OF
July celebration at the National Capital.
Both vessels are open to inspection by
the public
Never before, In all probability, have
Government vessels OF such great
draught come Up the Potomac to the city
harbor. The Prairie, which was origi-
nally the Morgan liner FL Sol. plying be-
tween New York and Havana and CAL
weston, usually draws twenty three feet
Of water. At the present time the con-
verted cruiser rides high, her bow stand
ing well up out OF the water. so that she
draws only twenty and one-half feet. She
is moored almost directly opposite the
entrance 10 the Barracks grounds. and
the Topeka a short distance further down
stream.
Public Made Welcome.
The dazzling white sides OF the vessels
and the rainbcw colors Of the flags
sweeping high alCft combine TO present
an especially beautiful and inspiring
effect. Until the clouds released their
copious showers yesterday afternoon.
many rowboats with curious sightseeTe
lowered about the stanch vessels. From
these boats numbers OF people boarded
the cruiser and training ship. Other
guests were carried there by launches
from the ships. on board. some Of the
visitors were entertained by officers
while other sightseers received the at
tcntion OF sailors and marines and were
given the opportunity of seeing how
Uncle Sans naval defenders live afloat.
The Prairie is IN command Of Capt.
Duncan Kennedy and the other officers
aboard are: Executive. Lieutenant Com
mander Caperton: navigator, Lieutenant
Ellicott; watch officers, Lieutenants
Robson, Bennett, Knepper, and Dunn:
chief engineer, Lieutcnat Watson; senior
physician, Surgeon Boyer; junior physi-
clan. Assistant Surgeon Furlong; Pay
master Hall, and marines in charge Of
First Lieutenant Coyle.
Large Crews on Both Ships.
Aboard the Prairie there are 725 men.
an unusually large number 20 be carried
on a vessel of it's size. OF this number,
however. $50 are landsmen who are car
ried for six months while undergoing
the course Of training. At the end Of a
half year they will be put ashore and
another complement OF men taken on for
instruction. The Topeka is in command
OF Captain Nichols. who has 500 men on
the training ship.
Wireless tclegrapby experiments have
been conducted for the past two months
aboard both vessels at Hampton Roads
and have not been discontinued because
Of their temporary change OF location
All day yesterday tho operators were
busy with the little buyers. discover
Ing how tho wireless theories worked
out ia actual practice.
Both vessels will be I'm the channel
until Tuesday next. In the meantime
the men are enjoying a liberal allow
ance Of shore leave.