The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-04
OFFICERS LIKE INNOVATION

Especial to The Times -Dispatch.)
OLD POINT. VA, June 3-The quarter
deck OF the first class battleship Missouri
was the scene Of an imposing ceremony
to-day, when delegation OF ladies' and
I gentlemen, representing the State OF Miss
souri,, presented to the warlike namesake
Z OF their Commemorative beautiful silver
4 bell, which is to be used aboard the vcs-
fsel in place OF the regulation ships bell
Of the navy. IN,
Headed by Chairman Saunders Norvell,
OF the committee named by the Governor
OF Missouri to make the presentation.
and conducted by officers from the ship,
tho party loft the Chamberlin Ia Hotel
shortly after 10 o. Clock. and ut the gov
eminent wharf boarded launch, which
took them aboard the battleship.
The ceremony took placetat 1880 clock,
with the officers and men of the ships
company drawn up on the quarter deck.
Among the visitors on board were many
Of tho officers of the other ships OF the
battleship squadron, which are at anchor
foff Fortress Monroe. n 4
After the band had rendered n selection,
Chairman Norvell made a splendid speech,
lin which he rendered tho bell to the Of
flcers. as representatives OF the great
vessel bearing the name OF his State, in
behalf OF his fellow-citizens and the.
Governor This was followed by the
formal presentation by Miss Julia Ca
banne, of St. Louis, beautiful young
Z girl OF the brunette type, who had been
selected by the committee to act as spon-
sor for the State.
The handsome gift was accepted by
Captain w. C. Cowlcs, commander Of the
ship and brother-in-law to President
Roosevelt. Captain Cowles made q grace
I full little speech Of acceptanco Is the
representative OF the Navy Department
and ibis brother officers. 58 Il.
ASlunoheon, which was an enjoyable and
delightfully."- informal affair. was rendered
the visitors by the officers In the dining
OF the vessel after the ceremony
1t was late In the afternoon when the
Mssourians boarded the launch to return
to the hotel,
BALL AT
In the spacious ball roomfof the Cham
berlin tonight q brilliant dance was given
by the officers of the Missouri in honor
OF their guests, Among the dancers e were
officers from nearly every ship In the
squadron and army officers from Fortress
Monroe. \, 81
Following is the personnel Of the party:
Mr. ana Mrs. Saunders Norvell, MI. and
| Mrs. X, M. Drake, Miss Julia Cabanne,
Mr. and Mrs. II. p. Gordon, Miss Ma
thews, Miss Ada DIrge. Walker Hill.
Leonard Mathews, r. II. Tilley and =. y.
Ridgely.
There has been considerable comment
among tho officers Of the fleet upon ,the
good taste displayed by the Missourla NJ ns
| In presenting the battleship with q sllt
which will be useful as we'll as orna-
mental. II seems that the idea of De.
| parting from tho traditional custom, or
presenting silver services to warships
originated in Missourl. and It meets with
tho approval OF the officers. 'Ihe PEI ?.
! Is not only beautiful ornament. put
viii be used In place Of the regulation
ship's bell, 1T lis tolled by the watch 10
mark every half hour during the DAY
and night i,
! havinr tha new custom followed by tho
\ people Of Virginia when the, battles...p
named for the Old Dominion Is placed
In commission.