St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-10-07

cnusetts brings naturally thoughts o.
cruising, and he has made consider
able use OF the Mayflower during his
vacation. He Is a good sailor, thank,
to bis numerous voyages on blue wa
ter. and he is believed to be quite al
fond Of the Mayflower as was Mr.
Roosevelt. The latter frequently ex
pressed his delight on boarding the
yacht, and he selected her as the flag
ship when he bade adieu to the battle
ship feet before It's departure on the
memorable around-the-world voyage.
When the big ships returned tri
umphantly to Hampton Roads II was
from the bridge OF the Mayflower that
President Roosevelt welcomed them
home to Yankeeland.
In size and in furnishings the May
flower compares favorably with the
royal yachts Of Europe. Her birth
place was Scotland, where she was
built In 1896 for the late Ogden Goelet
the New York millionaire, who did not
live long TO enjoy possession of the
beautiful craft. The original cost OF
the Mayfiower was 100000. After
Mr.. Goelet's death the yacht was Of
fered for sale by his widow. II was
reported at one time that the late
King OF the Belgians had acquired her,
but the report was unfounded. The
vessel was bought for s450,000 by the
United States government shortly be.
fore the spenish-American war and
was converted into gunboat, OF small
cruiser. The price paid by the gov.
ernment was considered n low one.
The Mayflower Ia 270 feet long and
is OF 1890 tons burden. Her engines
produce 400 horsepower, and she 10
propelled by twin screws. She car
ries a complement Of about ITO ON.
GERS and men. The Mayfower carries
a few light guns. principally for use
In firing salutes. Otherwise there IL
nothing In her external or internal an.
pearance TO distinguish her from pri
vate yachts OF her Mise. Like all the
other vessels OF tho navy, she is kept
In exquisitely neat condition, her
smartness being accentuated by her
coat OF dazzling white paint. The fine
lines OF the Mayfiower. which was
built for cruising at medium speed as
well m for comfort, have attracted the
admiring notice OF many marine OBJ
servers. The interior OF the May
flower does not resemble that Of a
warship. thus belying in a way her
place on the active list OF the navy's
ships. She IN decorated beautifully,
principally in white. gold. silver,
and overy provision 10 made for the
comfort OF the President and his
guests. Thousands OF dollars are
spent annually In tho upkoop OF the
vessel.
Tho Mayflower has beon assigned 20
tho use OF the President since 1909.
Between the close OF tho Spanish.
American war and hor assumption OF
hor new duties sho served as a gun.
boat. The question OF her disposition
arose whom II was considered by the
authorities that sho had outiivod her |
period OF naval usefulness. The decl |
sion 10 rooonvort her into yacht and
detail her 10 do duty as a Presidential
F'hhti W llhct OF tnu Old DOlphln i
brought forth almost universally favor.
able comment. as II was felt that the
President should have n yacht worthy
Of comparison with those OF the heads
Of other groat nations.
The bluejaekets OF tho Presidential
vessel are all picked men. Assign,
ment 10 the Mayfiower Ia held 10 be
an honor by officers and men. but they
10 not consider their berths easy.
They are intrusted frequently with
he safety Of the nations chief execu
i've. his family and his guests. gen
srally men OF distinction. both Amer
cans and foreigners. and they are re
iuired 20 keep constant minute watch
IN the condition OF their vessel. Strict
naval discipline II maintained. and the
nentare drilled regularly IN the use OF
he gums, Tho vessels fires are never
'anked more than lightly. since the
dayfower must be kept In condition
o respond n necessary 20 the orders
u the President for immediate use.
Ak.g.sA