The Washington herald., 1909-03-07
After the Homecoming
Rainswept Battle Ships in Excellent Condition, but
Admira's Inspection Is Deferred

ciFlnzed world. Iney nave borne them
selves splendidIy under all circumstances.
and their countrymen at home should be
proud Of them for the record they have
made. Jack ashore has a reputation for
recklessness and wild abandon OF be
havior which the 1900 men Of this feet
have not attempted 10 live up TO.
on for Home.
On Tuesday last the steam launches and
the cutters were called away to take the
time-expired men ashore. They came down
the port gangways Of their ships in their
best sea-going bib and tucker Their dun
mage was stowed in brand new dress suit
cases Of foreign manufacture. plastered
all over wi.h the labels OF the best hotels
in japan. Australia. Manila, and Mediter-
ranean ports Where they got the labels
is their own affair. but as the luggage
lay piled on the dock al Fort Monroe
IL made the baggage shed resemble a
steamship pier on q day when a great
ocean ''fier' gets in and the first-class
passengers are debarking.
These men came ashore with their
pockets full Of money. and no longer
under discipline They didn't do what
was expected of them. They didn't get
drunk nor make noisy nuisances Of
themselves. That is what some shore
going folks expected. They went aboard
steamboats, and trains In little parties Of
six or eight or ten. bound for their Inland
destinations, and they went as peaceablv
and as orderly as any other self-respect-
ing travellers. IL is a curious and a rather
harsh commentary upon the attitude Of
most persons toward the enlisted men OF
the navy, that the fact that these men
did not show themselves disorderly
rowdies should have caused favorable
comment about them. But that II did is
set down here as a fact
show Effects of Strain.
Officers and men alike showed in their
physical condition the strain they have
been under since the feet left these har-
bors They are gaunt and lean and
/ tanned. like men who have been on a
campaign. Having so many ships to-
gether under one flag for so long has de-
velOped a fleet coherency and esprit de
corps which the visiting naval officers
have all marked and commented upon.
Il Is another factor. they say, making
| for efficiency.
Visitors who have stayed down here
I
tunity 10 know the difference between the
navy man ashore and the navy man
\ afloat The officers began 10 come OF
/ the ships Monday afternoon when the
I official visits between the President and
/ the admirals and the captains had ended
/ Ny word, but they were fine and dandy
| When the naval officer sets out 20 dazzle
/ the ladies and the folks ashore he knows
/ how 20 dress the part. He has more diff
| ferent kinds Of handsome uniforms thar
/ most people suspect They came ashore
/ here. stunning array. and the soberly
J clad civilians were put in the same sar-
/ torial class as the walters
Taking on Coal.
The next day 1t was different on Mon.
day evening one met some dozens Of these
J handsome fellows all smiles and laughter
and gayety. and. perhaps. was invited out
TO the ship for luncheon on the following
day.
Wen he taking coal aboard, and yOJ
won't mind little CRIME viii your
on the ship the next day one did no
recognize the Beau Brummel Of the even
ing before. on either side OF the shiI
lighters were made fast loaded with coal
and grimy figures were shOveling il int
! great receptacles which were being hoist
ed aboard.
A figure In a weather-stained uniform
and wearing rusty cap met you AT the
gangway 4 smudge of coal dust ra1
from his nose 10 his ear, another blotcI
/ was on his cheek. He had gotten a rasI
! In his voice He looked competent anC
alert and very much a man. II was diff
cult to reconcile him with the gorgeous
ly clad youth OF the evening previous
This was the navy al work: the other hat
/ been the navy at play On all the ship!
that were coaling the bands played con
tinUoUsly, while the grimy lighters Lar
alongside The muSiciaRs were instructed
10 play lively tunes TO tighten the labor,
OF the men al their tiresome, dirty work
II IS a curious thing that no improve
ments have been made IN the methods O.
cOaling ships since steam vessels frs
went 10 sea The job is done now as 4
always has been done
For the first two or three days the Zee
was here about the only point OF contac
the visitors as7e-c had with the If
aboard the ships was at the naval landfn,
stage, where the ships boats touched II
their traffic with the shore All dav Ion.
II was crowded with people who wante,
10 look at the sailors and see them q
their work. The navy way OF doing thing,
IS so unlike the iandsmans way that (
is always interesting On Monday after
noon young ensigns were detailed as dOcI
officers. Their business was 10 see tha
the people who had the right 10 go aboar,
the ships got aboard, and that the petit,
officers and others coming ashore trans
acted their business promptly and prop
erly, and. above all. TO answer questions
Youngsters at Work.
II was amazing TO see how We'll IN
youngsters did il. II had its amusint
side. too The launches C"steamers." III
navy people call them were coming ava
) from the ships and coming alongside tn
landing stage five or six 10 the minute
The stage was crowded with visitors. get
ting in everybody's way. To the person
unused TO discipline and formal inter
course there were amusing incidents al
most every minute. For example.
2 retired rear admiral, until recentl
very powerful in the navy. was going OF
, to the New Hampshire on Tuesday. Hi
coming was known 10 the dock officers. O
beach masters" as the sailors call then
The New Hampshire's steamer" cam
pitching alongside the stage. and the fou
! midshipmen In her came tumbling out
The beach master was at the coxswai
on the instant
What are your orders. Carson?" h
! barked in his best sea voice.
''TO take visitors aboard, sir"
Lie OF, there"
AYE. aye. sir" Then TO the bow an
stern men. Shove off there, you. wha
I do you think you are, living pictures?"
. The steamer backed out and lay box
. bing up and down. Lying of. as She ha
been told, awaiting further orders. Pres
! emily the retired rear admiral with tw
or three friends, came strolling down q
: ward the stage. He was discerned by