The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1904-11-18

ing in the American navy, and is at pres
ent on board the olympia" The epis-
tie is dated at Graves End, England,
and reads as follows: "We left Cher
bourgh, France, Sept. 10 and arrived at
Christiana, Norway, on the 18th. The
first part of our trip was not pleasant.
The sea was rough and cold wind was
blowing all the time, and it was raining
1t was the most disagreeable weather
l have experienced since have been in
the navy. At times our ship would pitch
and roll. Then would come the mighty
sea, which would 60 away over our for
ward eight inch turrets. We were obliged
to keep below deck all the while. On the
fourth and last day the sea became calm.
We passed the city of ST. Tenec, Eng
land, in the night. 1t was very bril-
liantly illuminated. We were then GO
ing through the English channel, then
through the Straits of Dover, and then
entered the North Sea and the Fjard of
Christiana This was the grandest trip
1 ever made. Grand? 1 say it was
wonderful. The sun come out and there
was not bit of wind. The water was
as smooth as glass. 1t was just like
going up beautiful river with noun
tains, and the scenery on both sides
was superb. The trees and grass all
along the shore were green and lovely.
Now and then we passed little city.
"The fjard was full of fishing smacks.
At fort twenty or thirty miles from
Christiana, we took pilot. All along
the route, people would cheer us and
wave handkerchiefs. Once we passed
a place between two hills, just wide
enough for our ship to go through. On
the other side of this was where the
U. S. ship "Illinois" ran aground a few
years ago. We got through all right.
Our ship, the olympia" the "Cleve
land" and the "Des Moines" are the
only men of war that the government
of Norway has permitted to come up at
one time. The pilot did not want to let
us go up, but our captain said we were
going, law or no law. If they didn't want
us, they could tell us to go, and we
would obey. So we went up. The days
in Christiana are very pleasant, but the
nights are chilly or cold.
"We left Christiana Sept. 25 for
Graves End, England, where we now
are. While at Christiana, / met Mrs.
T. E. Miller of st. Paul, whose husband
is an engineer on the c. G. w. 1 gave
her :; number of Mankato and st. Paul
dailies and she was much pleased to get
them.
81 received letter from Wilfred Rey-
nolds, a Mankato boy, who enlisted
about the same time 1 did, His let
ter is dated at Chemuipo, Corea. He
seems to get along nicely.
81 was one of the many who were in
vited to a reception rendered to the
men of our ship by Sir Thomas Upton
at the Crystal Palace, London. He treat
ed us very generously with fine ban
quet.
eve shall leave here in about week
to go to southampton, Eng. How long
we shall be there I do not know. Be-
fore leaving here we. are going to pres
ent Sir Thomas with beautiful loving
cup, costing $500. The names of our
crew are to be inscribed thereon"
Following is an excerpt from
Graves End newspaper, with refer
ence to Sir Thomas Lipton's entertain
mcnt of the boys:
As the men marched into the lunch
eonroom they made brave and stirring
show. Each man wore miniature
American flag in his Sutton hole, and
walked with the rolling gait peculiar to
Jack Tars the world over. They are at
all sizes and statures-little and big,
stout-built and slim; and equal variety
is to be seen in their faces. Some were
clean shaven, others. sported moustachios
of greater or less luxuriance; while not
a few wore the full complement of
moustache and beard. The mems fea-
lures were also interesting in their vary
ing types, but all had stamped upon
them look of logged perseverance that
speaks well for their endurance in ac-
ton.
Admiral Jewell, who on Thursday was
received by the King at Buckingham
Palace, was detained at the Fishmongers'
Hall, but joined the party later in the
day; and in his absence Captain Colby
was in charge of the party. He, too,
however, disappeared as soon as the
formal introduction to Sir Thomas Lip
ton had been made, and thereafter the
men were placed under the command of
Midshipman lie Breton-a smart young
officer looked after his crew with
wonderful tact and solicitude.
The sailors were all presented with
a pouch and brand new pipe by their
host, and during the lunch they fingered
these with considerable pride and an
evident desire to sample the tobacco that
lay concealed within the pouches.
After tho lunch Sir Thomas Linton