The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1904-09-20

VALLEJO. Sept. 1s.-The Russian
converted cruiser Lena is now being
dismantled at Mare Island with all
possible speed. It is expected that by
tomorrow evening she will b.
stripped Of everything in the way OF
armament. Her small rapid firing
guns and all her ordnance stores Will
be in the big brick ordnance storehouse
Of Uncle sam at the island. while her
big guns viii have been made useless
by the removal of their breech blocks.
Early yesterday morning Chief Gun
ner I. J. Shuttleworth. with small
force of ordnance men, went on board
the Lena and began the work Of dis
armament. Every assistance was Of
fered them by Captain Berlinsky. his
officers and his crew. The small three
pound rapid-fre guns were removed
from their stands. carried forward,
wrapped in oiled covering and placed
in large wooden cases. The cases
were then sealed I'D and marked with
the Government stamp. All the ord
nance stores Jared in the same way.
on each case was stamped, H R. L.
:. Lena" These cases Will all be
taken TO the storehouses tomorrow
and will be kept there until the Rus
so-Japanese war is over. or until
such time as the President designates
they shall be returned.
BIG GUNS ARE LEFT.
The big guns. or. as they are
known. the "fve-inch Canet" guns,
will not be taken ashore, The re-
noval OF their breech blocks renders
them useless.
Captain Berlinsky7 paced the forward
deck. and his countenance bore a Sc
~ L. III 2 1fc-r3r N
ment was going on. He said. however.
that he wished TO make the statement
that he was highly pleased with the
courtesy shown him and those on board
his vessel By all the officials since his
arrival in this port. Since his ship had
been locked at Mare Island. he said. he
had received the greatest consideration
from Admiral McCalla and the officers
Of the admiraTs staff. He wanted them
all TO know that he appreciated the
courtesies shown him.
Every evening at o'clock the entire
crew OF the Lena assemblies on the for
ward deck where prayers are said and
hymns are sung. The Russian national
anthem. God Save the Car" ends the
day on the Lena
CALLS ON THE ADMIRAL.
Captain Berlinsky. accompanied by
number of his officers, called on Ad-
miral and Mrs. McCalla at their quar-
ters on Saturday. They received a most
hospitable welcome.
The best Of good fellowship seems to
exist between the men on the Lena and
the men stationed on the different war
ships at the island. The men on the
Lena are allowed to go on shore within
a prescribed limit at the will Of their
commanders. Captain Berlinsky and
his officers are on parole and can go 10
and from the ship as suits their inclina-
tions They cannot, however. accord
ing TO the neutrality laws. go farther
than san Francisco and its environ
ments.
Regarding the final disposition of the
crew. Admiral McCalla was unable TO
make any statement The disposition
Of the Lena's crew." he said. rested
with the department in Washington.
In the meantime the officers appear
contented and the crew look happy and
smiling.
The strictest possible guard is kept
around the Lena. and only those in au-
thority on the island and those who are
invited by Captain Berlinsky are per-
rnifted on board.