Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-01
CELTIC OFF TO ITALY
Sufferers to Get Things Meant
for Battle Fleet.
CARRIES 100000 RATI0NS
Santa Claus Becomes Angel of Mercy
at Short Notice.
IDEA OF COMMANDER HUSE
Heavily Laden Supply Ship Sails
Four Hours After Authority Is
Received From Government.

NEW YORK. January 1.--Following a
lon--dstance telephone conference with
officials in the Navy Department at
Washington, the United States supply
ship Celtic sailed from the Brooklyn
navy yard yesterday for Italy, after but
few hours final preparation. with pro-
visions enough to feed 80 900 persons for
= month
II is a case of going ahead OH the part
Of the navy folks and getting the au
thority afterward
The Celtic was loaded down with pro-
visions TO bring the battle fleet across
the Atlantic on the home trip, and she
wasn't due to sail for week. At that
ii had looked as if it would be a hurry
up job to get her away on time
How It Came About
A multitude of details was forgotten
when the commander of the ship. Harry
Mel. Huse got news which revealed the
magnitude of the Italian disaster. He
hastened TO the Office of Rear Admiral
Goodrich night before last and asked
him why the Celtic could not be sent on
right away with food which his navy
training told him would be more to the
point at the present time than any other
form of aid.
Admiral Goodrich answered the ques-
ton without hesitation by taking down
the long distance telephone receiver and
talking to the officials in Washington
The result was a telegram received at
10 o'clock yesterday morning from the
bureau of navigation ordering the Celtic
TO sail at once for Gibraltar. where fur
ther orders would be sent.
A little matter of mountaineering the
battle fleet by giving away the food In
tended for it is Il problem which the navy
officials said they would cheerfully tackle
if Congress would only back them up
with an emergency appropriation. To
show their faith in the idea they ordered
the Celtic to go.
Congress to Be Appealed To.
Il is said on good authority that Presi-
dent Roosevelt will send a special re-
quest to Congress Monday for an imme-
date appropriation of 100000 for use of
the navy. SO that the supplies on the
Celtic may all be left at Messina and a
new outfit bought on the other side for
the battle fleet.
Commander Huse and Admiral Good
rich lost no time waiting for further or
ders from Washington after the telephone
call. but superintendent the job of taking
lumber medical stores, clothing-ali sorts
available, heavy and iight-aboard.
Things started in earnest yesterday
morning when Lieut.. Bricker. the adj
mirals aid carried the message that the
vessel was to sail Immediately. Blue
jackets from the training ship Hancock,
the battleships New Hampshire and Ala
bama and the scout cruiser Chester were
turned out in hurry 10 assist in the
work of loading.
The men fell to with enthusiasm. and
500 tents from the Marine Corps barracks
which had been brought to the Celtics
side were put aboard her SO fast that the
clerk stationed at the gangway couldn't
rapidity. and at o'clock. just three hours
a fter the order had been received the
ship was ready. TO sail
Delayed by Tide.
Then came an unlookedfor delay. 1t
was found that the tide in the Walla bout
channel which was floating the ship
wouldn't take her out for an nour The
officers and men We're disappointed at
having TO wait. but they put in their time
laying on a few more necessary stores.
AS the last rope was cast off the Celtic,
originally intended as the Santa Claus
ship to take Christmas presents to the
fleet. started a little after 3 o'clock on
her errand of mercy. The biuejackets on
the dock gave her a final sendoff.
Word seemed to travel along the harbor
about the boats mission. and as she
passed down the river boat after boat
sauted Evidently those aboard the Gel
tic didn't hear these. for few were an
swered.
AS she passed toward the NarrOws
couple of bluejackets clambered up the
masts and took down the Christmas trees
which had been strung up for the holi-
days. the last touch Of her gala rigging
Then her flag dropped to half mast
The vessel will be crowded to capacity
and it is hoped that she may reach her
destination about week from Monday
Owing to the confusion at the time of
sailing it was practically impossible to
get a complete list of what the Celtic car
ried
Nolfin 20