New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-10-09
SAILORS CLEAN SHIPS
IN EARLY MORNING
Everything Spic and Span as
"Pretty Young Things" Make
Most of First Visiting Day.
ALL HARB0R CRAFT BUSY
Admirals Mayors Guest at
Luncheon-Yankton's Gallant
History-Discipline on
the Flagship.
ALL HARB0R CRAFT BUSY

II was cleaning up" day yesterday FOR
the sailors of the fleet. and from sunup
until noon they were busy furnishing up
the brass work. putting a gloss on TIC
decks and srraying the grim sea fighters
In bunting. The manner In which the
tars made the wooden decks shine with
spick and spanness would have caused
the ordinary New York housewife 10
heave sigh OF regret that sailors could
not be hired as housemaids.
II was the first official visiting day"
for the men who man Uncle Sans war
ships. and they were intent upon making
a good showing before the critical eyes
OF Manhattan's fair sex. The day broke
fair and cold, but sailors are not folk who
lie abed because OF snap in the air.
and they had half their chores done be-
fore the average New Yorker was turning
over for the second time. preparatory to
getting up.
BY noon every ship was glistening with
the polish of many hours work and
Haunted her finery in as skittish man.
ner as any grand dame. The sailors then
had time TO lounge about bit and listen
W NHN O'Ao anu ans Oh
from the galaxy Of pretty young things
who swarmed out to greet them.
Every imaginable type of craft was
Communicated into use TO make the round
OF the feet. Putting little steamers"
sleek motor boats, sloops and catboats
and the more ploddlng rowboat all were
there. and all were TANNED az full OF
humanity as the law would allow. This
time, however. there was none of the
usual chickering's and disputes about the
prices to be charged for Passage on these
craft.
Announcement had been made earlier
In the week that owners Of such boats
would be permitted to charge only q
cents for the trip out and the Same
amount for the return trip, and most OF
the floats from which the sightseeing
craft started had large banners spread
TO the breeze announcing that fact
Tho AdmlrsIs Como Ashore.
Soon after the noon hour, while the
twenty thousand-odd sailors were being
fed below decks, the big Connecticuts
launch ranged alongside the admlrars
gangway at the side. and Rear Admiral
Osterhaus. respondent in blue and gold.
followed by Rear Admiral Winslow, SINH
larly attired. walked down and stepped
into the launch and were taken to shore.
From the landing they were driven In
automobiles TO the Claremont Inn, atop
Riverside Drive and in the shadow of
Grants Tomb.
Here the two big men of the fleet were
greeted by Mayor Gaynor and r. A. c.
Smith, and they had luncheon. II was
the Mayors treat" and rumor had Il
that the Mayor performed his duty in
most thorough manner. from soup 10
nuts"
The fighting strength Of the mighty ar
mada already spread upon the tranquil
bosom Of the Hudson was added to ma
terially yesterday, when the battleships
Virginia and Michigan steamed proudly
up the river. trailed by the ocean grey
hound. the torpedo boat destroyer Mccall.
beamy collier cyclops brought up the
rear.
One OF the boats that excited universal
interest was the little Yankton, now des-
ignated as a feet tender, but which has
seen more action and smelled more gun
powder in real battle than many of her
bigger sisters.
Although now practically used as mes
senger among the other boats OF the
fleet, the Yankton has had an eventful
history.