The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-04-06
AROUND THE WORLD.
MIR. Ward Simmons, Who Was Mem
Der of American Fleet on World
Cruise, Now in City.

was a member OF the crew OF one Oh
the vessels of the American war fleet
which recently made a tour Of the
world, leaving Hampton Roads in
December, 1907, and reaching Hamp-
ton Roads on the return in March,
1909.
Mr.. Simmons enlisted at New Or
leans, on the Wasp, as second class
machinist two years and three months
ago. From the Wasp he was trans,
ferred to the torpedo boat Atlanta,
! then stationed at Norfolk. he re-
; manned on the Atlanta about seven
months, when he was transferred to
the repair ship Panther, when that
boat was put in commission in New
York in November, 1907. While the
Panther was at Rio Janiero, on its
long voyage, Mr.. Simmons was pro-
NOTED to first class maehinist.
The Panther left New York on the
| world-encircling cruise on December
10, 1907. The fleet, which was sta
toned at Hampton Roads, left Hanp-
| ton Roads on December 16. The Pan
ther procee.l'd to st Lucia, a small
island il the Yves: Indies, where she
coaled. Mr.. Simmons says that c1
the trip to ST. Lucia was the first ::me
many Of the crew had been out to
sea, and many Of them we're sea-sick.
On the way to St. Lucia the famous
Mt. Pelee, on the Island Of Martini
que, was passed, and could be seen
Through the glasses. At St. Lucia the
coal was put aboard by the native
women, who carried it up the gang
way in baskets on their heads. Mr..
Simmons says there were swarms Of
them as thick as bees, and they put
on seven hundred tons in three hours.
At St. Lucia fruit, he says, could be
secured for almost nothing.
From St. Lucia, where she remained
two days, the Panther proceeded to
Port Of Spain, Trinidad, reaching
Port Of Spain a day ahead Of the
fleet. The torpedo flotilla, however,
which had left two weeks ahead Of
the fleet, had already arrived at Port
of Spain. Considerable repair work
| was done here for the torpedo boats
by the Panther. While in Trinidad
Nj. Simmons with others visited the
leprosy hospital, which is located here,
the lepers being nursed by the French
Sisters Of Mercy. Christmas, 1907,
was spent here, and about January l,
1908, anchor was weighed and the
cruise continued towards the equator.
The equator was reached about Janu-
ary 5, and all who had never crossed
before were initiated into the order
of Neptune. The Panther steamed
with the fleet until in about five days
Of Rio Janeiro, Brazil, when she re-
ceived orders to go ahead to that
port. A rumor had gained currency
that there were mines in the harbor
Of Rio, and the Panther received or
ders to investigate this report. The
Panther cruised around the harbor
and came to anchor in the place as
signed her, finding that there was no
| foundation for the story of the torpe-
does. The fleet arrived about two
days later, and a stay Of about two
| weeks was made at Rio. The men
were granted about three days. shore
leave, and Mr.. Simmons says they
were royalty received and made to feel
! at home. Automobile rides we're taken
over the city, and all the principal
places Of interest were visited. He
says there are number Of elegant
buildings in Rio, many Of them being
constructed of beautiful white marble.
He with others took an opportunity
which was offered Of going through
the president palace. Interpreters
were secured during their stay, and
the difficulty of not understanding the
language was thus obviated. He says
that he secured at Rio the best cup
of coffee which he ever tasted. He
brought back with him as souvenir
| Of Rio a Brazilian green bug, some
thing on the order Of our "June"
BUGS, which he had mounted in China
as a scarf pin.
Rio was the last place on the long
cruise where the torpedo flotilla was
! with the fleet.
From Rio the start was made for
Punta Arnes. in the Straits Of Marcel