The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-09-30
ROOSEVELT TAR FOR AN HOUR
DIMES, SANS LINEN, WITH THE
MISSOURrS JACKIES.


ships BURN Powder Behind Steel"
P~RovINcErowN. Mass; Sept. 7S.-Presi-
den. Roosevelt spent the larger part Of to
day on board the battleship Missouri Of
the North Atlantic squadron and watched
the target practice.
He ate dinner with the jackies, smoked
one of their cigars. posed with the champion
gun crew Of the feet for the newspaper
photographers. had a general good time.
and waved his hat in response to the cheers
Of the sailors as he went aboard the May
flower.
Tonight he Is on his way back to Oyster
Bsy on board the Maynower. The latter
vessel Is escorted by the torpedo boat Hop
kins and the destroyer Lawrence.
This afternoon she passed Chatham, well
on her way into Vineyard Sound.
1t is almost unnecessary to say that the
President had a good time. The weather
was delightful, the craftsmanship Of the
Missouri's gunners absolutely perfect and
the tackles were more thar cordial to their
distinguished visitor, who manifested great
interest in everything that transpired
aboard the battleship.
He was accompanied by Congressman
William C. Lowering and James B. Connolly,
the sea story writer, they having joined
the President on board the MayHower after
her arrival on BarnstabIe.
After the six-inch guns had been fred
eight times without a miss, the 12-inch
guns IN the forward turret were discharged,
and on zach Of the eight occasions the big
fellows barkeda projectile smashed through
the turret 1850 yards away, while the battle
ship was steaming at a speed of 10 knots an
hour.
The President stood close at hand whom
che smaller guns were fired, but he did not
remain in the turret when the l2-inch rifles
we're discharged. He had previously visited
the turret and had all the mechanism ex-
planned to him and saw the weapons loaded
with dummy charges. While all the target
practice was going on Mr.. Roosevelt had
his eyes glued to a binocular Watching the
effect Of the shots upon the target.
The Commander in Chief OF the navy
WIS enthusiastic in his praise Of the fine
WORK of the gunners and he warmly con-
Irltuloted the crews. He IA asked by
g ne vspaper photographer to pose for a
! ,"t ire but declined to do 80 unless the
c'.'npion gun crew we're included. Moth
in : coald suit the artist better and he took
len a dozen pictures OF Mr.. Roosevelt
= rr1raded by the jackies who had handled
the guns.
When the bugle was blown summoning
the crew 20 dinner after the Missouri had
re. lrled from the range and again
anchored, President Roosevelt Rstonished
Admiral Evans by announcing that he
had invited himself and Congressman
Lowering and Mr.. Connolly to dine with tho
crew.
The iackies were delighted at the honor
but their eyes bulged out when Mr.. Roose-
welt declined to accept table linen which
had been hunted up for the occasion.
The President said he was going to eat
Just what the nation provided for its sailors,
and In the same manner; 30 when a couple
Of the boys scurried about and returned
TO the mess room on the after gun deck
with napkins and q tablecloth, he politely
declined them, saying he would prefer
taking the meal just " the rest Of the
men did.
Congressman Lowering and Author Con-
molly joined with the President in declining
any unusual attention and all hands en-
joyed together the roast pork, sweet pota-
toes. cottage pudding and coffee which
was served on great platters.
The jackies prepared a little surprise for
the visitors. Some one passed a cap around
and sufficient money was subscribed to
purchase a box OF cigars. These were
sent up to the President, and after the guests
had been served Mr.. Roosevelt had them
passed around.
The President left the Missouri shortly
after 2 O'Clock this afternoon and went
aboard the Mayflower. Soon after he
reached there a wireless despatch reached
the yacht from either Newport or Boston
saying that Secretary Taft had just started
a long cable despatch from Havana giving
a full account Of all that had occurred there
to-day.
Some important details were sent by Mr..
Taft, but on account Of the length Of h
message the wireless outfit on the May
could not handle il. So q message
was sent back to have the despatch tele-
graphed by land wires TO Provincetown.
Then the torpedo boat Hopkins came in here
after it and chased after the Hayfower
as she steamed past Cape Cod to deliver it to
the President.
Six great floating citadels, zach with the
population Of a town standing at atten-
ton within its gun bristling walls, ianked
by five torpedo boat d~estroyers. four
navy tugs and the despatch boats YanktOn
and Dolphin. were lined up early to-day on
harnstable for the coming Of the President.
At the Presidents request the customary
Of t~wenty-one m was not fired
as he joined the warships, but instead he
received the triple peal Of the throaty
American hurrah from more h 5000
men.
The President had come $50 miles to wit
ness a six hours programme arranged &c
show him the workings OF modern shipr
fighting conditions.
The feet included the battleships Maine,
Missouri, Illinois. Alabama, Kearsarge
and Iowa. The cruiser Yankton also was
attached to IN feet a. a despatch boat,
and there were half a dozen torpedo boat
destroyers.
Perfect conditions had attended the trip
OF the President from the start, n the
Mayfower at sunrise passed close to the
spot where, nearly 800 years ago. the original