Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-08-22
FLEET REVIEWED
Pass Before President Roose.
Welt in the Sound.
RAMMED THE DECATUR.
incident al the Close OF the EvoiuticIs
he Time OF tn. Collision the De-
ers Were Running at a Speed OF 20
.s-The Blow Was Tremeudous-No
teriai Damage Done.

Oyster Bay (SpcciaD For the first
time in the history OF the country the
President of the United States Monday
reviewed and Inspected. in tine OF peace.
a great fleet OF United States warships.
The ceremony was a ragnificcn, and in-
pressiye naval spectacle.
Il was unmarried by the slightest mis-
hap until just at It's conclusion. when
the torpedo-boat destroyer Barry ram
med the destroyer Decatur. fortunately,
however, doing little damage
The incident was exciting 1t occurred
Just at the moment when the President
was receiving congratulations upon the
success of the uaneuyers.
The first squadron OF de:troyers con-
sisted of the Decat,r. cambridge. Barry.
Dale and Chauncev. all under command
of Lieut. l. IL Chandler. and was APP
preaching the Mayilower at full speed.
The vessels were in close formation.
Orders were signalcd from the Dc
=atur to the other vessels 10 form
wedge. In executing the orders the De
cztur swung across the bow oI the
Barry An instant later the Barry ram
med her on the starboard side As the
ships were running a: a speed OF 20
knots the blow was tremendous. he
Decatur listed sharply 20 port and
seemed TO be in serious distress. From
he Mayfiower she appeared to be sink
ing.
The Mayfiower's boats were manned
s~~e@-,,t1.. H,.& Inu.arad -
Decatur was seen 10 right herself. In
lew minutes she hoiStcd signal OF no
serious damage" Later she steamed
alongside the Mayfiower and Lieuten-
ant Chandler reported that while his
chip had received bad bump on the
cardboard quarter she was not materially
damaged. The injury WAS plainly eyi-
Gent from the deck Of the Mayfiower.
she had been struck about halfway be-
Ween her stern and midship. and =
zrge dent had been made i'll her plates.
he starboard rail was damaged, bai
.fherwise the vessel was intact. The
Barry. which had sir;;ck the Decatur a
.iancing blow, had her bow crunpled
~ the collision. bu; she VAS not in
slred otherwise
The accident PIT Sudden stop To the
aaneuvers OF the destroyer squadron.
The vessels came Ia all immediate stop.
he cambridge. Dale and Chauncev
handing by the two III collision. Boats
Fcre lowered from two OF them. but
tier casual examination OF the in
:rries to the Barry and Decatur tine
oats returned to their vessels.
Admiral Dewey ordered Lieutenant
handler to- proceed with the FIVE YES
els TO the Brooklyn Navy Yard. where
Hch repairs as may be necessary could
&C made quickly Alter the damage
tas been repaired the squadron will re-
DIN the feet and continue the sum
ner rnaneuyers.
President Roosevelt. who was intent
watching the squadron 81 dcstroyers
shen the accident occurred. remarked
hat such accidents. especially 70 de-
troyers, were likely To occur at any
ime- In the execution oi war ma
scuvcrs some chances. he said. must be
aiken, and ii the time ever should
One when the navy WAS afraid OF
.cratching of the paint o: vessel lis
Efficiency would dcierorate materially