davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
SPECTACULAR SEAMANSHIP

Before II a. m. the second division had
completed its work. the targets had been
inspected and the screens removed. The
sea vas running high. as all the lubbers
on the Dolphin had reason TO krow, but
that fact afforded them an exhibition o.
scamanship of far more than ordinary in
tercst. The skill with which the whale
dropped over the sides of the battleships,
the efficiency with which the tars caught
their stroke and kept it-nstead OF flaming
the air like a green hall player confronted
by one Of Mathewson's cuTves-the dexter
fly with which they boarded the tossing
and pitching raft which supported the tar
get and the nimbleness with which, de-
spite the rapid and fantastic gyrations OF
the raft. they climbed the masts and re-
moved the screen. all served to constitute
a gymnastic exhibition well worth the price
Of admission. even though that price was
seasickness.
Just eff the starboard beam of the Dol
phin steamed the May1ower, with the Sec
rotary of the Navy aboard. The Mayfow-
or did fewer stunts. fell few more de-
grees short Of attaining alternate perpen-
Gioulars, but-in strictest coniidence-the
present Secretary of the Navy is not
good sailor. and no sooner had the WorC
been sisnalled from the flagship that IL
was too rough for further target pracuce
to.day-not because they could not shool'
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16

lows without. 1t is a pleasant atmosphere
one made by men who love their work. who
feel they have their chance-men who are
workers and who lead busy life. despite
the popular impression that navy life In
time OF peace is one of idleness and ease.
on board the Dolphin, Wednesday.-From
tn. mast of the flagship flew series OF
variegated pennants this morning, which.
icing interpreted. announced that the bat
tleship practice OF the third and fourth
divisions would occur to-day. Those of the
scrbes who could stand-"got theii sea
legs" is the marine term-hustled forward
10 the bridge. where. by the courtesy OF
Captain Laws. they were permitted to re-
main. ard by courtesy OF the Dolphin,
they were enabled to know the sensation
OF being pitched about on the highest hump
OF "a ship of the desert" From out OF the
south came the four great battleships
which compose the third division. The
Dolphin had this day been assigned to a
position at a safe distance astern OF the
targets.
As IL to give the dogs OF war n good look
at their prey, the ships crossed just at
the target RATS and tore away to the
north. Their instructions were to steam
tl.irtytwo minutes on that course before
turning, almost broadside on. gradually 10
approach the object Of their aim. The sky
was overcast. but the sea looked clear TO
the unintiatcd. There was intense sus-
pense among those waiting on the bridge
and :. seemed as II the attacking division
would never turn Nor did they. Before
they had steamed the full thirty-two min
utes they were lest to view, eyen the view
aiGed by marine glasses, and then came
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16

kite could be seen and the reports OF
small calibre guns could be heard In the
offing. but that was all that those en- board
the Dolphin knew OF the practice or It's
results That 1t will be necessary to in
vent some form OF gun capable Of accurate
aim nt high angle IL generally conceded.
but 1t is not believed that any insurmount-
able difficulties will be encountered. High
seas. more fog and continued diet OF
toast and tea for the less fortunate MEM
bers OF the party constituted the only feat
ures OF the evening. and were II not for the
excellent company 10 be found In the ward
room one might some time weary OF the
infinite variety OF the sea-"
On Board the Dolphin. Thursday-This
has been a great day. Thanks TO the un-
! firing courtesy OF Captain Laws. who has
spared no efforts to afford the members NJ
the press an opportunity {, see wei, that
which they came to see. the Dolphin has
been maneuvred into the best points o..
vantage and those on board have seen
such gunnery as they never believed az.
listed. The day broke clear as n hell A
half gale from the northwest had h,own
away the fog. and the sea assumed its
deepest blue. The sky was clear sneck al
only here and there with tiny clouds viii.
the atmosphere seemed to have been
washed as indeed. It had by heavy rains
Early the Dolphin hoisted her anchor and
was under way, Not that she had svsr
been stiil' but that she was nov nro.
PEELED by her own screw, Up. up IN she
would climb and then slide down the long
ssas ike toboggan on steep hillside
Ana as she slid she rolled some. bu, wha,
VI '"a'' II was one OF those mornings
~ 'he s'srooard OF the Dolphin Law the
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
RIDDLED TARGETS.

Inc orac;ng air the abor OF a climb 10
the top OF the pilot house and the excite
iheh' OF the practice had all contributed 70
iusty appctitcs-even the toast and Tea
brigade was beguilcd into taklng an extra
haif slice OF toast-and so all speed was
made to the cabin table where a boun,eous
spread awaited the hungry scribes ana
statesmen A quick meal was FOLLOWED W
return 10 points OF vantage, and sthg
were gained none tco soon. This timeSap'
'aih Laws had secured permission TO JsN
the Dolphin alongside the towing shh
well of the starboard bow" the orie
read. This was the best vantage point thus
far attained. and TO the advantage Of beng
able TO see how each shot struck was addsa
Just enough suggestion of danger from
ricochetting shot 10 be pleasurable. in
kindly officers OF the Dolphin urged ths'
newspaper guests to pay their llfe ins''
ance premiums by wireless. had they fan"
To DO so before sailing. and perhaps so
said their prayers, although none woD"
admit II.
The nrst shot came from the Geofs~
and fell perhaps one hundred yards snos
but the second brought cheer. II pI'ns,
directly through the target. leavns s'
rent In the canvas. and this at iteo 'a
or thereabouts. One after the oiher
came, never wide the mark. many OF ''
through It, and the amateur observer, q
the pilot house found themselves no
their breath as they waited for eaen
)ectile and almost prayed that each woU .r,r
hit. IL was intense, exciting ana ma ~,
tive. and there was a general feeiins
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
H. Cenrce Grisvold Hill,

Washington, April 15.-Through the
courtesy of the Secretary of the Navy IL
was given to little band of newspaper
correspondents and few statesmen TO
witness the hattleship practice OF the At
lantic fleet, held last week on the south
IN manicure ground, east and little
south of the Virginia capes. 1t was n
wonderful sight. The gunnery of the
American gun pointer almost dehes de-
scription, and any veracious account OF
.ts accuracy must sorely strain the credu-
lty of the incredulous. Firing at dis
tances as great as from the Battery 10
l35th street in New York City. the gun
ners made almost unbelievable perccn-
tages of hits ana it is not surprising tha'
Secretary Meyer should have taken occa-
sion to express his gratitude at the re-
snlts. There were many interesting feat
,res of the trip, all of which have peeh
faithfully chronicled in the leaves or
landlubber's log, and these are here repro
duced for the benefit of those who would
learn something of life at sea with the
Atlantic feet as seen by civilian.
Since the fleets return reports have
arisen that the whole world will be aston
ished when the official scores are made
public. One report. more specific than the
others. says thirteen hits in fourteen shots
3, 900 wards were made. If this turns
out to be true it Will be new record
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16

and there is a suspicion that some oay'
when they have acquired complete ei-
fciency and the band has not. they VIII
he instructed thus 10 convey to the ianor-
ing musicians the estimation in which ther
musical. efforts are held by their feHows
Of the crew IL that time comes the OF
fcers may have 10 take hand TO protect
the band from such obloquy; but In the
mean time. the men are happy In the enorts
to perfect the dogs In this comicai ma
, npuvre.
| Before the arrival of Jimmie Legs ana
his brother Bandy, the Dolphin rejoiced III
! the possession OF the Haytian Kid-no re-
lation 70 the Tertium Quid, by the way
bu, curious specimen Of goat picked up
in Hayti. which afforded much amusement,
but finally produced more than ordinary
CONSERVATION by neT unwoIted famillarnies
! with certain cabin guests. especially or the
feminine gender. who were being enter
tanned on board by the family OF the Presi-
dent
There was some practice al firing AT
kites to-day. firing with small caliore guns.
| the kites, held TO simulate airshps, being
| blown from the mast tops. Occasionally
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16

an excellent opportunity fer observation ara
there is no cOsier place on edrth-or sea
than the wardroom of the Dolphin. Here
one has an opportunity TO observe the type
oF young men who serve Uncle sam as OF
5cers of his floating defcnces, the :ounS
men TO whom so much Of the navy's prog
ress is due They are clean cut, bright
faced young fellows, and their most notice
able trait is enthusiasm "See the bullics
come" remarked one of them as the four
great battlcships steamed toward us yes
torday and his face fairly shone with
leasure at the impreEnabe appearance OF
the great floating forts.
High seas and deck as stable as the
walking beam OF river steamer in no way
diminish their energy. Some are studying
for the all important examinations Tor
promotion" Others will. If you but lend a
willing ear. explain the determined Efforts
of the engine room to save few pounds OF
coal. to make a few more pounds OF steam
with q given amount of fuel, or elaborate
upon the frightful waste Of fresh water in
yolyed IN the use Of boilers which are not
of the most modern type. The conversa-
tion Is almost exclusively technical-"shop."
II you like. but most interesting shop-and
there is abundant evidence of the beneficial
effects Of Secretary Meyers policy Of re-
organization based solely on the promotion
of efficiency OF the fleet aiioat.
Compare this with the days when there
was constant complaint OF the prevalan
Of red tape. when officers were seeking To
avoid making repairs for themselves be-
cause there was no incentive thereto, and
v hen the whole disposition was 10 depend
On the navy yard factories. A great change
has come. one not altogether easy 10 de-
scribe. but not the less tangible Ambition,
not personal, but for the efficiency Of the
fleet energy, a determination on the part
Of each 10 do his best general content
ment. watching Of every detail and con-
yicticn that each mans work will tell
these are the things which are clearly 10
be determined in the atmosphere Of the
wardroom and which cannot be obscured
even by the clouds OF tobacco smoke which
roll fore and aft in sympathy with the bill
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16

but because the RATS would rot support
the screens in such a wind and sea-thah
Secretary Never recalled the fact that ne
had an important Cabinet meeting to at
tend in Washington tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, enc OF the old Scotch boilers
on the Mayfower resented the agitation 10
which il was subjected and broke doWh.
Accordingly the Mayfower linped PACK 10
Norfolk under the steam of one hoiier, ana
some there were who envied the dlstlh-
quishcd member OF the Cabinet as he head
ed for the smooth and tranquil railway
train which was TO bear him TO the capt.
tai. The Mayhower. by the way. Is to be
docked at Norfolk and fitted with new and
modern boilers.
Before leaving the feet the Mayfiower
sent 10 the Dolphin what the master at
arms termed "a parcel OF experts. the
men who are TO study efficiency and other
things In naval administration. The orders
were 10 transfer the group 10 the several
battleshius that they might observe at first
hand the conditions there prevailing. j..
they observe anything other than the un-
derside of the decks over their respective
hunks Il will be because they have shed
spread their far from cheerful counte-
nances when they went over the side OF
the Dolphin. Unaccustomed TO the ways OF
the sea they huddled at the lower end OF
the sea ladder while the playful waves
doused them with gallons Of ice cold water
and the whaleboats which were to effect
their transfers bobbcd about Ike corks,
only occasionally coming within jumping
distance OF the Dolphin's side
Still at anchor Tuesday Since yesterday
afternoon the Dolphin has lain quietly al
anchor-that is. If that type of bucking
bronco described as "sunfsher' may be
designated as quiet II has rained some ana
gentle seas have trpped lightly over the
side and playfully drenched every guileless
Iandlubber who did not know. by some Gu
r,ors eixth sense when TO dodge. "Too
thick for target practice" was the verdict
Of the admiral this morning, and there was
none 10 question the wisdom Of his decision.
A day at anchor far out al sea affords
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
ON THE BROAD ATLANTIC.

on the Dolphin. in the Middle Of the At
lsrtic. Nonday-Of course. this is not the
r,iGdle of the Atlantic, hut II looks IKE II.
Technically. 1t is longitude 70 degrees 10
min, tes W. latitude q degrees 10 minutes
n. and is the rendezvous Of the secon'
division of the Atlantic feet. For the ben
eft ~ the uniritiated it may he well 10
add that It IS about sixty miles east OF
cane Henry and a little south of lne
running due east therefIom. The Dolphin
IS at anchor--but do not he dccelNed-at
anchor does not mean AT rest.
We got our first glimpse Of target prac-
tice this morning Glimpse is the correct
word. for until men are gifted with far
siehtedness beyond all present ken they
will get little more than glimpses OF target
practice hy the big battleshps. AT a. m.
all officers and scribes were summoned TO
the bridge 10 observe the firing Of the
second division. Down from the north bore
the division Of four great battleships. look
ing remarkably sombre ana businesslike
in their coat OF slate colored service paint.
The Dolphin fell in behind them. and after
following their course al a remarkably safe
distance for some time, IL VAS possible with
a glass 10 detect on the horizon two little
like three fingers on mans hand, except
that they were parallel. But they appeared
no bigger As matter Of fact they were
the targets. 60 feet long by q feet high.
one was covered with canvas and the
other with wire netting. and the three
fingers" weTe the masts which supported
the screens"
Suddenly from ths side OF one of the
battleships there came a burst Of fire and
6ame. which suggested 10 the uninitiated
nothing less than the explosion OF a maga-
Zine or the sad fate Of the Maine. Fiji
teen or more seconds later there followed
terrific concussion and a report louder than
any thunder.
Tho first trial shot" commented Cap
tain Laws. Just trihe short" he added
a. there arose q geyser of water apparently
as high as the Metropolitan tower
Then followed another. and this time the
tarec; was lost 10 view behind the great
wall Of water which was lifted heavenward
Then the shooting began in real earnest
and tho surface Of the sea in the vicinity
Of tn targets suggested Central Park
lake under hailstorm, magnihed several
thousand diameters From the Dolphin II
was impossible to tell whether or not the
target was being hit, although ii was quite
obvious that nothing the size Of battle
ship could have withstood that rain or
steel. The second division was practising
with its great l2-inch guns. Every pro-
iectile fired weighed $50 pounds and every
shot cost for powder and projeotile s2s5
One terrific explosion followed another
until there was suggested the remark of
the newly arrived Irishman who. looking
out OF the window and seeing steam
fire engine responding 10 an alarm, excit-
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
Landlubber Who Went with the Atlantic Fleet to the
Southern Manoeuvre Ground Tells Here from His
"Los," of Remarkable and Picturesque Feats
That Startled Onlookers.

, cdi.' exclaimed, Patrick, come here quick.
! They're moving hell and one loads gone
| by already"
| II was impossible from the Dolphin 10
| keen track of the nunber Of shots fired
or to note the effect, but when the signal
| Cease firing" broke from the flagship the
| little dispatch boat made tracks for the
targets and found them in a sadly riddled
state. These targets. be it remembered. are
co feet long The modern battleshp will
average perhaps iso feet in length. and this
| target. no; more than one-cighth the length
! of n hattleship. was riddled with shots fired
| al ranges varying from 1890 TO 1900 yards.
| There are 1760 yards to mile. so that
| the range at which the hattleships prac-
| tised was from 81 miles to about miles.
| II was estimated by near experts that not
| less than 90 per cent Of hits were made.
This means that four hattleships lying
off the Battery could select building Of
60 feet frontage on 135th street and fairly
riddle ii with holes in twenty minutes. or
to put ii another way. division OF four
battleships. selecting the Singer Building
as their target, could begin firing off Fort
Tompkins and before they reached the
Narrows could reduce il TO powder. II
was a marvellous demonstration Of the
accuracy Of modern gunnery. so marvellous
that the bald assertion Will probably tax
the creduity of many people who will have
to attend a battle practice and see for
themselves before they will realize the ter
rible efficiency of the American navy.
Also, be ii recolected the target towed
by tattleship, was in constant motion
on an unknown and varying course and
at an unknown and varying speed. while
the battleships from which the firing was
done were moving at high speed and were
compelled 10 determine the range for
themselves and without any knowledge of
the distance save that after steaming for
thirty-two minutes away from the targets
they were to turn and steam slightly tow
ard them and TO fire whenever the word of
nd OIL
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
Uncle Sans Cuners Showed Skill Hope of Worlds Record
Correspondents Tossed About on the Little Dolphin Saw
TARGETS Hardly Discenb.e to the Naked Eye Shat
tered with Ease and Dispatch by the Expert
Marksmen Behind the Big Guns

when every one is glad to be alive-that IL
every one save those Of the toast and tea
brigade. and even they emerged from their
hunks and tried TO give an imitation Of
looking cheerful.
The Dolphin took her position well AFT
the targets. The scribes took theirs atop
the piot-at least those who had strength
enough to make the ascen;-and down hor,
the third division. the Minnesota, the Yer.
mont the Mississippi and tnc Idaho They
are small ships compared with the 81o
and q. .O0o ton vessels now building, but thew
look very formidable just the same, ard
certainly their gunners can point the.r
guns. Away they raced 10 the north. max.
ing their Il knots. Then they turned ara
a few minutes later came 4 burst of FAN.
Again IL took fifteen seconds for the sound
10 reach US. but II made up In intensity
ANYTHING IL may have lacked In spsc
Again and again came the bursts Of eans.
while the sea spouted in angry geyse-s all
about the targets. and some shots could BE-
seen TO penetrate the screens and occa.
sionally the splinters would rs from rhe
RATS which bore them.
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY.

on Board the Dolphin. Potomac River
off Piney Point Sunday Evening-SeVeh
men, chiefly knights of the pen, were loli-
ing comfortably in steamer chairs on the
poopdeck of the Iittle dispatch boat Doi-
phin. The sun was just setting and the
Western sky was brilliant with the glory
of the dying day. The peculiar peace OF
q Sunday afternoon in the country relsneu
over the broad bosom Of the Potomac
broken. but hardly disturbed, by the
rhythmic pulsations Of the Dolphins en-
gines. which seemed TO be gently modu-
lated TO the tranquility of the day ana
scene.
Suddenly the clear tones of bugle call
broke the silence. followed by the tramp
Of many feet, and there assembled on the
starboard side of the poopdeck guard OF
marines and the band, while the ship S
ouartermaster. coming apparently from
nowhere. stood on the fantail. holding the
lanyards which neld the flag 10 the mast
top. AT a word of command from the ser
eeant of marines the guard presented
arms. the sergeant himself holding his
sword to the visor of his cap. ana theh
from the band come the inspiring strains
Of THE Star Spangled Banner Instantly
the seven men were on their feet and ui-
covered. and as they glanced down the
deck they noted that every man in slsht'
officers, marines and tars, stood at atten-
tion
The Dolphin was passing Mount Vernon
The beautiful home of the Father or HIS
Country. where stands to-day. as II did IN
his lifetime the simple but stately home
Of Washington. and on whose grassy slope
nestles the modest tomb which holds all
that remains of the nations greatest hero
and first President. As the band completed
the air the quartermaster dipped the nag
and then the bugIer sounded TAPS"
To the landlubber the Dolphin appears
10 have been making excellent time ever
since she slipped her moorings at the
Washington navy yard, but officers and
men assert that she has been merely
limping along" because. scarce a mile
ahead is the Mayhower. bearing the Secre-
tary OF the Navy and & group of experts
who are going still further to reform the
business methods Of the fleet aiioat, and
the Mayfower is dependent on the old
Scotch boilers installed when, in 1876 sne
was launched as the Goelet yacht
OF course if this were a sailors instead
of landlubbers log. II would contain
exhaustive details regarding latitude ana
lo1.cittr!e. points of the compass, knCts
rer hour etc. bat not being technical
leg at all and not subject to inspection
tv 4 supcricr officer. / will merely say that
there is a wonderful sense Of security III
knowing that a faithful captain, not less
faithful navigator and devoted and hiSE-
iy important watch officer, who looks little
removed from infancy. hut whose young
head * c~ammed with marine lore enough
20 stagger an ordinary iubber are al OF
the bridge and viii remain there through
out the night so | viii proceed to sleep'
New-York tribune., 1911-04-16
RECORDING SHOTS WITH THE
"SPOTTlNG" BOARD.

Georgia. the Nebraska and the Rhode lH
and. while the Virginia. the fourth ship
OF the fourth division. towed the targets.
Some conception OF the accuracy may Re
formed from the fact that the towing yes.
sci in each instance towed the targets wita
hawser only 400 yards long. And there
was no anxiety regarding TIE safety OF the
towing vessel American gunners do not
make errors as great as that despite the
fact that they shoot from ranges varying
from 5000 20 li.000 yards. !, was a wonder.
full sight as shot after shot dropped in The
vicinity Of the target, while those which
fell short seemed generally to ricoches
right throught the screen.
WITHIN twenty minutes the practice was
completed. and there followed a race fos
the targets, the little Dolphin sticking her
nose into the seas. taking aboard consd.
erably more than her share OF the Atlantic
and impertinently vying win the great bat.
teships in her efforts TO reach the targets
hrst. But plunge and pant as she would
she was not quick enough - hea, the repair
crews from the Virginia whose mighty
strokes sert their waale boats over the
rolling seas. and by the time we cane
abreast the masts OF the RATS Literally
swarmed with men who We're taking doxn
me screens. The little whale boats tossed
IKE chips in millracs. out nothing seems
10 daunt the American sailor. and the re-
pairs were quickly made. the great towing
hawser was deftly shifted from the VIZ.
eihia TO the Idaho. and thu fourth division
was OFT en- its way TO the southwark. whers
IL was to come about and shoot at the
targets 10 the north.