New-York tribune., 1909-01-01
BUSHES FOOD TO ITALY
NAVY YARDS QUICK WORK.
Celtic, on TeIegraphic Orders, Starts
7cith Relief for Sufferers.

The great naval station in Brooklyn afforded an
example yesterday Of what the department ean
accomplish when the call Is urgent and the need
great. for the big s000-ton steamer Celtic loaded
| to her hatch coamings with food and supprlss OF
all sorts. sailed from the yard for Italy after
o'clock. only hours after orders for her de-
parture had been received She will go straight 20
Naples. and at that port be subject TO further
ders as to the delivery Of her cargo
Not since the early days Of the Spanish war has
there been such a scene of activity the usually
sleepy reservation presented yesterday about noon
time. Every who could be spared from other
work busy helping to load the big white mes
senger of good will. They worked for record, ard
they it fairly, for never has the station
cuted such a big order IN so little time
Much OF the credit for the change in the pro-
gramme of the ship is given TO Commander Harry
Mel P. Huse. whose suggestion to Admiral Coed
rich commandant OF the yard, that the ships mis-
sion be changed acted promptly. With
the telephone and telegraph pressed into servica.
the necessary formal instructions issued by
the department although the work had been begun
long before their receipt in anticipation OF thu
action.
For once red tape was at discount, and tbs
Navy Department. taking full respous bility for
this sudden gift Of supplies belonging 10 the gov
ernment to a foreign people in distress. without
warrant Of Law, emergency with tbs
speed and thoroughness which the people OF ths
country have learned to take almost as matter
course where the navy Is concerned
Thousands and thousands of pounds OF turkey
and plum puddings. tons Of canned eatabIes thou
sands of barrels OF fOUr potatoes. beans and ths
other good things that American sailors like rad
already in the Celtfcs capacoUs holds.
and the schedule called for valuation of close
$3.50 900. When the word go Italy received
the breaking out Of other stores in the houses con-
trolIed by Reah Fraser. the general storekesper.
began under the direction OF Pay Inspector Thornas
{. Jewstt. and there were added to her already
heavy consignment tents sufficient shelter 6oc9
persons. supply Of medical stores from
the naval hospital. nearly 10000 pairs of socks.
1900 pairs Of navy Shoes the same number OF suits
of working clothes 4eO0 suits Of underwear largs
supply of lumber. nails etc. for the erection ot
temporary sheters-in fact almost everything that
a naval officer could think Of as being useful IN
such emergency.
The ship carries about 100000 naval servfce "a
tons. equivalent to 100000 emergency rations or
enough to keep 10000 persons IN working condition
for more than hundred days: and this only
touches her food supply
1t was said at the yard yesterday afternoon that
Admiral Sperry. in command Of the horneward
bound Atlantic feet. had cabed to the department.
as soon he heard OF the terrible distress follow
Ing the calamity in Italy that his could get
along without their Christmas dinners. which Wers
on board the Celtic. and that they would gladly
contribute them the relief OF the italian suf-
ferers This dispatch came. the story goes. rgh-
in line with Commander Huse's suggestion. and
the prompt action Of the department was the re-
suit.
Then IT was up the yard forces and when the
comment Well. you made good'' made
officer OF the station yesterday afternoon only
served to bring forth the sarcastic query We'll.
what did you expect?'
The Celtic. which is an s.ooO-ton ship. was for
merly a hospital ship. and had been transformed
into supply ship for the especial purpose of
carrying stores 10 the Homecoming ships Of Adj
miral sperry's fleet She is commanded BY Com
mauder Harry Mel P. Ff1se, with Lieutenant Al
fred w Pressey her executive officer and Lieu
tenant John II. Blackburn as chief engineer She
is not fast vessel. being rated only ten knots.
but it is confidently expected that every knot OF
speed in her engines will brought in this
trip. for even the coal passers imbued WITH tbs
idea that it will be fire thing for the navy TO
make a record in speed OF delivery Of relief ma
teriaI as IL already has in the matter OF IT'S ship
ment.