Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-09-03
Bronze Msmenlo Presented TO
Balt|esh|p By The President.
IT is FOR EXCELLENT SHOOTING
Inscription Tells That Vessel Made
Highest Score in Gun Practice
Rivals are SUPPLEMENTARY Highly
Commended by Admiral Evans.


with appropriate ceremonies and
in the presence of the commander in
;nief OF the Atlantic fleet, Rear Adj
iniral II. ID. Evans. and one thousand
Officers and qualified gun pointers
OF the ships anchored IN the Roads
there was unveiled on board the ILL
nois the bronze trophy presented by
The President for excellence in gun
cry.
The inscription on the bronze tab.
lot, Trophy for excellence in naval
suncry. presented by direction of the
President of the United States to the
vessel making the highest target prac-
tice,' explains it's prcencc and indi-
Gates briefly the trend of modern
naval training.
The trophy is eighteen by twenty
four inches and represents two bat
! tie ships of the Maine. ana Oregon
class steaming through heavy sea
and firing at target. The figures
are in bas-relief and the whole forms
Il spirited marine scene. This trophy
'as first presented to the Oregon, of
Santiago fame, in 1904. and during
the following years was held in sue
cession by the Oregon second time
and the Wisconsin in competition
wish all battle ships and armored
cruisers
| The enthusiasm shown at the oc.
caslon OF the unwilling was simply
refeiy of the pride OF the officers
and men on the successful ship, and
the hearty cheers of their less sue.
cessful competitors indicated feel.
ing of sportsmanship so keen that
few contests can compare with It In
this respect.
| Admiral Evans spoke, and, loved
and respected as he is by all who
have served under him his few we'll
chosen words gave II far deeper sig.
nificance to the red and black pen
nant, the trophy pennant." floating
at the fore that 1t had ever held be
fore. 1t had been trophy of ex
cellence. Now ii meant that our coun.
try had been better served
| Captain Blockinger, the command.
ing officer of the Illinois, In n speech
full of feeling and pride barely con.
cenled then addressed few words
In the crew and thanked them for
their loyal support and unremittlng
work. pointing out that by such was
the navy advanced. Following Cap
tain Blockinger, Col. Harrison, the
commanding officer OF Fort Monroe
spoke Drleily, referring to the Simi-
lnrity of g,innery interest between
the navy and coast artillery ana
thanking the officers and crew for
their hospitality. A short talk from
Commander w. S. Sims was crafty.
ing to all who had helped in the tai
get practice, for 10 him as inspector
of target practice for the navy We
are indebted for the present excellent
system of graduated practice. Fol
lowing the speeches refreshments
were served.
These officers participated in the
winning practice-Captain G. Block
linger. commanding; Lieutenant Com
mnnder w. w. Gilmer executive or
ficer: Lieutenant Commander l.. II.
De SteiGer. ordnance officer; Lieu
tenant w. n. Falconer. turret Off
Ger; Lieutenant j. II. Purse. turret
, officer; Ensign d. G. Bingham. En-
sing c. II. Bullock, Ensign a. w.
Sears, Captain A. S. Williams. u. S.
NJ; Lieutenant MarQuart Ensign X.
c. McFalls. Midshipman Bristol, Mid.
shlpman Maxfield. Gunner Adams.
Nlidshipmen Kcppler, Crosse, Alexan.
der, Bryan, Taylor, Lake and Jacobs.