Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1913-07-31
WRITES FROM
ABOARD SHIP
A. H. Powell, Now in Mexico,
Upholds Navy.
TELLS OF LIFE ABOARD SHIP

TELLS OF LIFE ABOARD SHIP
States That He Has Derived Much
Benefit as Result of His Enlist
nent, and that Life in the Navy of
Uncle Sam is Very Interesting, and
that He will Soon Start on a Long
Foreign Cruise.
July 6, 1913.
To the Iowa County Democrat:
Kind friends and readers of this nara
tive, | feel like losing a little time, to
the benefit of my friends, in revealing
the true character of the Navy.
| have been in the service nearly Il
year, and have derived more pleasure
out of that one year. than in all my
former life, although l have always
been loyal TO my home state.
The life is so pleasant and agreeable
that one has little time for home sick
ness. Since Christmas we have visited
ten ports; and three of those being
foreign, there was quite a few interest
ing sights for one like myself, whose
jurisdiction has always been the inland
States.
Christmas we Were in Haytie and the
hospitality they showed us is wei
worth stating. The natives would
come out TO the ship several times each
day bringing fruits of all descriptions.
They always treated us with utmost
respect.
And after summons to the States,
where we stayed three months, we
were wired to come to Mexico to look
after American interests, where we are
at present.
The rebels are securing the country
from far and near. 1t seems as though
all their evil passions are aroused as
election draws near. They have start
ed operation by blowing up large
powder plant which consisted of sew
eral thousand tons of high explosive.
This occurred on June twenty eight.
On July the first we received a wireless
to get under way for Tuxpan, a port
north of us. Upon our arrival there,
we found that the rebels had gained
control of the city and had refused to
let two American liners take on their
cargo, until they saw Uncle Sam S
big fighting machine loom up on the
horizon. We swung broadside and an
chored as close in as possible and sent
the Marine guard ashore with our de-
mand and it was only matter of few
minutes before the papers were signed.
On the fourth of July was another rare
treat for us boys.
AS the dawn broke the silence of this
eventful day, and the sun came on
the horizon we fired a twenty one gun
salute in memory of the day we were
declared republic. On the morning
boat races were held between the diff
ferent divisions of the ship. In the
afternoon boxing matches and other
sports were held. The middle weight
champion of that navy and his sparring
partner gave an exhibition bout of six
rounds, which was rare treat, for our
crew. In the evening We had moving
pictures, and music by the ship band.
We will leave here for Galveston,
Texas, to take on coal and supplies upon
the arrival of the U. S. S. Louisiana
from the States, which we expect the
paco, Mexico, where we will stay until
the latter part of August Then we
will leave for our navy yard at Norfolk,
Va, for short overhauling period.
Then we will proceed to the southern
drill grounds for target and practice,
which lasts several days. Then the
feet will assemble in the Hudson river
at New York city for review. And on
about Oct. 18th the fleet is going to
make a foreign cruise, visiting Spain
France, Italy, Turkey, India, Greece,
Egypt, Bulgaria and Portugal. We are
looking forward to this trip with pleas
ure as it promises being fine trip. |
will now bring my letter to a close,
wishing you and your paper all man
ners of success. | remain,
Yours respectfully.
A. H. POWELL,
L. 5. s. New Hampshire.