The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-09

inimitable n that brought forth roars
OF laughter and applause from the guests.
No newspaper representatives we're present,
but soon news Of the bit OF unwritten history
narrated by Capt. Coghlan and of his recep-
ton leaked out. Then there was a fuss.
The German Ambassador at Washington
called On Secretary Hay. Explanations
were limited at. The Navy Department
authorities had to do some thinking about
the incident.
But the two persons most concerned
worried less about the incident probably
than any others. One was. the German
Emperor and the other Admiral Coghlan.
The former sent post haste for a copy OF
the poem and it is said was convulsed with
laughter while reading il. While newspapers
were printing rumors hat he was to be
conference.-the Capt. Coghlan's composure
was not disturbed. After a time the matter
was dropped.
This was one OF the things that have
made Admirsl Coghlan popular as an after
dinner speaker. His wit is another reason.
Many stories are old about him.
Once an Alderman OF Brooklyn wrote
him that he desired to entertain a party OF
friends and in view OF the scarcity Of harbor
LdI ko ClOuku dShcu ~ DOTTOW u cruiser
for the day. He received a prom reply
which said that the navy yard was just out
of cruisers, as several Aldermen TO whom
they had been lent had not returned the
craft. II the city father would be kind
enough to wait a few days he surely could
be accommodated, the writer concluded.
On the occasion OF his last birthday MEM
bers of his staff bedecked his desk with
sixty-one American beauty roses.
Congratulations. said Lieutenant Com
mander Johnston as the Admiral entered bis
office.
For what?" replied the Admiral with a
surprised air.
He was told that it was his birthday
and each flower represented a year.
Lord am l as old as that?' the Admiral
replied with a hearty laugh.
Admiral Coghlan is apparently as vigor-
GUS and well preserved as the day he entered
the service. He was willing to talk to the
reporter on almost any subject except
himself, but finally. consented to tell Of the
Raleigh's experiences in approaching Ma
Mia with Admiral Dewey. He said;
THE battle was fought exactly as planned
by Admiral Dewey beforehand in Hong
kong harbor. When we saw the Spaniards
we knew exactly what to do. No signals
were set except Engage the enemy and
Withdraw from action
As we entered the bay we Jaw a thou
sand torpedoes in imagination. Everything
would attract attention. Sometimes IL
would be a log. There were 40 many
imaginary mines reported hat it became a
joke, although everything was scanned
cIosely before it was laughed about.
The whole night was one of anxiety.
When we first saw the Spanish feet it did
not have steam up and boats were passing
to and from shore. IL was more than an
hour after guns were fired at Manila that
they moved.
The first time our fleet passed westward
we were firing at a range OF $500 yards.
Our ships would fill with smoke and we
would sound the bugle TO cease firing, using
only the slow firing guns. While the rapid
fire guns were at rest we would getthe proper
ranges for them Rnd then would open fire
for five or six shots from each gun until
the ship filed up with smoke again.
"Oue Of the prettiest things occurred
that afternoon after we had cleaned up.
l looked around to see where the Olympia
was and spied her heading directly for
Manila alone.
The Baltimore, the Boston and the
Raleigh turned around and raced after her
ss fast ss they could, feeling rather anxious.