Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1908-06-08

their way to the big ships, IN one of
these were the mayor and his party
bearing the city's message Of welcome
to the Big Fleet. That night and each
succeeding night of their stay the ships
were Illuminated by being outlined
with electric lights, these combined
with their searchlights which they
played over the city and mountains
rendered beautiful effect.
Sunday was ''open house" on the
ships and thousands embraced the
opportunity to visit them. The chief
means of conveyance to the ships was
large fleet of launches which followed
the big fleet all the way up the Cali
fornia coast, and here let me add that
this fleet of small boats was owned
and managed by Ralph Newell, who
lived in Barton some twelve or fourteen
years ago. | met him as 1 was coming
out of the Southern Pacific station,
he knew me at once for Tower but
thought was my brother Frank. We
had a pleasant little chat. For my
own part had fine chance to inspect
one of the ships. as on the u. S. S.
Kearsarge l found First Lieut.. R. B.
Farquharson of the Marine Corps, who
was one of my fellow cadets at Nor
witch university. He took me over in the
ships launch and conducted me over
the entire ship. l found it very Econ
venient being with an officer as all the
men seemed eager to explain every
thing we saw. The engine room.
electric plant and turrets were es-
pecially interesting. Steam power is
used only to propel the boat, electricity
is used for everything else where
power is needed. In the turrets, which
are made of sixteen inch armor plate,
we saw all the working of the big thir-
teen inch guns, the largest used in the
navy. These use two hundred pounds
of powder to throw a missile. which
weighs eleven hundred pounds. These
big guns have a recoil of about three
feet. From one of the turrets
brought away some white paint on my
coat, for souvenir.
The drinking water used on the
battleships is distilled sea water.
tried it and decided it was one of those
things you have to learn to like. AT
noon we messed with the ships officers.
These men had all graduated from
Annapolis and | was much interested
in their conversation as it all referred
to Congress giving the president but
two new battleships when he wanted
four. They all seemed of the opinion
that four were none too many.
Each evening of their stay there
were dinner parties and balls for the
officers and dancing on the boulevard
for the bluejackets. On Monday after
noon came the big events of tn
Carnival, the magnificent floral parad
and the battle of flowers. At the hea,
of the parade were a fine mounte
squad of forest rangers and tWelv
hundred of the bluejackets. each on
of the sailors carried a flower in tn
barrel of his rifle. Then followed ga
equestrians and floats of every dc
scription, all bedecked with beautifr
flowers such as only California ca
produce. The float which took frs
prize was fine representation of tn
old mission. another which drew niue
applause was an automobile decorate
to initiate a battleship, this had
cannon which at intervals belche
forth flowers. The Native Sons an
Daughters were we'll represented an
also the Boys Of 81, the latter we1
: given a royal cheer. AS the parad
circled the plaza the second time ever!
l one arose and hurled flowers at thos
in the parade, many of the Officer
leaving their dignity in the tribune
! descended to the plaza where the
2 could lombard at close range and | NJ
e ticed they singled out for especi;
5 targets the dark eyed Spanish cir
and their fairer American sisters. F.
time it seemed to rain flowers ar
: if asked who won the battle wou
# surely have to say the flowers cam
). out on top.
n On the days following there WEI
ball games and field sports for tt
sailors, which were high class and Fl
which suitable prizes were given.
a Santa Barbara may we'll be prot
of her Carnival, for it was a uniql
and delightful reception for the sailo
and one which they will alwa
e remember.
IL w. A. TOWER.
A urzAx