The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-18
BUFFETTED YANKTON
WILL SOON BE HERE
Tender Of Bateshp Fleet Comes Unheralded Into Hamp
ton Roads and Takes on Coal to Continue
Quincy to Washington.

NORFOLK. Va, Feb. 1S.-TTrs yacht
like tender Yankton today began to take
on a full supply OF coal preparatory TO
proceeding at the earliest practicable
moment TO washington, in response to
a wireless summons picked Up as the
trim little craft was passing in the Vir-
ginia capes.
The Yankton will return to Hampton
Roads in time to greet the feet, and
then viii journey back again to the
Capital. being used to convoy some one
OF the score or more OF official parties
that are to be present during the en-
trance ana review of the feet next
Monday
From the moment or the departure of
the sixteen world circling battieships.
on December 10. 1907, the Yankton has
hardly known a moments rest She is
but a mite Of ship. and has been
plaything for the storms OF the seven
seas With a displacement OF only go
tons, as against the 1900 tons of the
Connecticut and her class the little
Yankton has been hammered and
pounded by giant seas
Even 10 the last day OF the voyage
against the elements continued, and
when the anchors were let go In the
roadstead this morning, Lieutenant
Commander McVay, N command,
knew practically his first relief from
constant duty on the bridge for three
days and nights.
The safe return Of the Yankton is
one of the distinct achievements of
the cruise. Wherever the fleet has
gone the Yankton has also fought
her way And, while the larger ships
have been lying safely and idly IN
hospitabie ports, the Yankton has
been sent upon a dozen different eT-
rands, not the least OF which was q
mission of mercy to MesSina after the
earthquake shocks had laid the city
In waste.
Being less powerful and older than
most of-the battleShipS, the Yankton
was unable TO make the speed of the
larger vessels, and usually was sent
on ahead 10 point the way for the fleet
ard arrange for the reception pre-
pared for the ships. TIE voyage OF
the globe. in consequence, has been
one or long sea stretches for the Off
GERS and men of the, Yankton, with
few days in port and plenty Of buffet
ing by contrary winds and. waves.
Iyphoons, nlonSoonS and all the other
varieties OF storms known to mariners
have been encountered by the Yankton.
her officers say. the longer periods she
spent at sea placing the tender in great
er jeopardy than that experienced by
the main body Of the feet. For three
days going into Yokohama the YanktOn
was believed TO have been lost in a ter
rife storm. The tender was due at
Yokohama two days ahead of the fleet,
but nothing was seen or heard Of her
Until three days later, when she steamed
in with the battleships, which had
themselves heen delayed by the gale.
Under all the power her engines could
develop the little tender made only four
knots an hour during the height of the
blow, and il was feared every minute
that the stanch timbers of the boat
would give way or that the engines
would be Jared out Of gear, leaving the
tender helpless.
In Australian water the Yankton ran
into series Of storms that kept officers
and crew constantly at Their posts.
The little boat was Shipshape and i'm
maculately white when she steamed in