Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27
OVER TESTS
President Enjoyed New Sen
sations With Submarine
TORPEDO BOAT PLUNGER
THE LITTLE VESSEL PERFORMED
MANY FEATS YESTERDAY.
Witnessed Maneuver and Discharge of
a Torpedo-Directed That Pay of
Men Be Increased.
TORPEDO BOAT PLUNGER

OYSTER BAY, August 2.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt, with l party of friends and
relatives, today witnessed test of the sub
marine torpedo boat Plunger from the deck
of the naval yacht Sylph
The weather was quite different from that
of yesterday, when the President himself
made dive in the Plunger and watched at
close range. even participating in the ma
neuvers of the tiny vessel, forty feet below
the surface of Long Island sound.
A stiff northeast wind yet was blowing,
but the rain had ceased and the sun soon
burned away the early morning haze. The
test of the Plunger took place in the waters
of the sound short distance outside the
entrance to Oyster Bay. The boat operated
in about seven fathoms of water.
Saw Torpedo Exploded.
Soon after the President and his party
boarded the Sylph the Plunger, which was
moored to the naval tender Apache. got
under way. At the request of the Presi-
dent the little vessel performed some of her
feats within the waters of Oyster bay.
While the President was on board the ves-
sci yesterday no attempt was made to dis
charge torpedo.
AS he was anxious to witness that ex-
pertinent il was arranged that Lieut.. Nell
son, the commander of the vessel and his
son would launch one of the projectiies
within the bay.
Accompanied by Lieut.. Frank Evans,
commander of the Sylph, and the Pres-
dents cousin, w. Emlen Roosevelt, the
President went to the bridge of the Sylph
to witness the experiment. After maneu-
vering few minutes, making in the mean
time several porpoise dives, the Piunger
came to the surface opposite the dock of
the Sea awanhaka COrint hian Yacht Club and
discharged torpedo. The bow of the yes
sci rose a few feet out of the water, there
was guSh of foam several fathoms ahead
and the eorpedo SKINNED along the sur
face of the bay for perhaps 200 yards. The
projectile picked up by one of the
Sylph's launches
President Highly Pleased.
On account of the pressure of business
In connection with the peace negotiation
President Roosevelt was obliged to leave
the Sylph at 1O:30 o'clock and returned to
Sycamore Hill Before leaving he talked
about his experiences in making a descent
| to the bottom of Long Island sound on
the PlunSer yesterday. He expressed his
| satisfaction with the maneuvering of the
vessel and the notable skill of the men
who handled her.
He had learned, he said that the officers
and men on the boat were receiving for
| the services they now are rendering only
shore pay. although 1t was manifest that
at no time would their service be more
Directed Increase of Pay.
The determine ton of their pay is an ad-
ministrative detail of the Navy Depart
ment and the President has directed that
hereafter they shall receive sea pay for
| their present duties. Their sea pay will
begin next Monday
For two hours after the President left
| the party on the Sylph watched the ma
neuvers OF the Elunger. The little vessel
| dived in every iconceivable manner, re-
mained motionless while entirely submerged
| and maneuvered under and about a notilla
| of all sorts of vessels from row boats to
steam yachts big school OF porpoises
played around the boat throughout the
| time she remained in the waters of the
sound. Shortly after noon the tests were
completed and the Syph, followed by the
Plunger, returned to her anchorage off
Sycamore Hill.
President Roosevelt received no visitors
today.