The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-06-03
Member Of "Dolphin's" Grew
Writes Of Affair at Tampico

w TlCGS Oh
Milt Cowles. sailor on the U. s
s. Dolphin, the ship whose paymaster
and crew were arrested, the incident
precipitating the Mexican broil. writes
an interesting letter to Keokuk
friends concerning the trouble.
The letter from Mr. Cowles follows:
| Tampico, Mexico. May %, 1914.
Dear Cousin and ALL
Must tell you our adventures from
the time of leaving Washington. D.
c., on Dee. 6, 1913. The last six
months have really been quite inter
esting. After sailing majestically down
Chesapeake bay, we arrived on Hat
teras, where the old Atlantic was cut
ting up in merry style, and all we
could make was one knot an hour;
everybody on board was breathing
their last. so they thought, as the old
/ tub was doing the corkscrew turn to
fare thee well. This was kept UP for
about So hours, when the wind abat-
ed. but the sea continued exceedingly
rough throughout the entire voyage to
ST. Thomas, d. w. I. We reached
this port est. Thomas) about p. M.
on the 18th day Of December, and
stood into the harbor undsr full speed
and dropped anchor close to the con-
sulate. Next morning, bright and
early, we shifted berth and went
alongside the coal docks. This is
principally what we had come to st.
Thomas for, as our original plan was
to coal at San Juan, Porto Rico, but
through radio, We learned that they
had no coal tn ere at that time. From
ST. Thomas, we went direct to Santa
Barbara, Santo Domingo, reaching
that place on the 14th, and dropped
anchor outside the harbor. Our OBJ
ject in coming down here was to be
around to help quen any Instructions
which might arise during the election
which was to come OF on the 10Th
OF December. OF course, we had land
ing force drill, and everybody was ex-
pecting to be a hero; as usual, moth
ing happened. We then went on up
to Sanchez. S. D., and found every
thing to queens taste there We re-
manned there only day. and then
swung ship and headed back for
Santa Barbara, remaining there only
long enough OF pay our respects to
the consul and then up anchor for
Santa Domingo City. which was to
have been our last stopping place be-
for going back to Washington. Every
body was happy upon the prospects
of returning home in time for Xmas;
imagine where our hopes went, when
upon arrival at Santo Domingo City.
we received cable orders to take on
some commissioners, and proceed
with them to Port au Prince, land
them, take on some more, and pro-
coed to Santiago with them. land
them. return to Guantanamo for coal
and stores, and then move directly 70
Vera Cruz, Mexico, and report to the
senior oficer present. Needless to
say. there was weeping and WANING
and enashing of teeth. Our captain
radfoed Washington for permission to
remain at Santiago over Xmas, which
was granted, and we had one glorious
time in Santiago. We about painted
the town red, because we knew tnat
long trip was ahead OF u.s. Auto
riding, wheel riding, horseback riding
and other riding was INDUCED In "
the utmost extent. The funny part
about the water around Santiago IS
that at night when disturbed, 1t emlts
a phosphorescent glow; even the rsn
as they move about can be traceo
very plainly.
Vera Cruz is Reached.
Well after a troublous trip, lasting
from the night of thu Goth up to about
noon on the 31st of December. We
reached Vera Cruz, and steamed ma
iestically up to the collier. ana .ooN
on our capacity in coal, ana tnen
dronne1 anchor beside the naeshlp
Rhode Island. That night. the Rnody
was giving smoker" and the crew
of the Dolphin was invited. II yca
don't know what navy smoker -
iuat 20 to one, and you will find OUT.
It combines everything from nnisnou
talent to the rudest product ever iois'-
cd mon An unsuspecting PUBIC. ~
the harbor at the time were the E"s
Itch cruiser Suffolk, the Spanish cruis
er Carlos ", the German cruiser n..
men, the Mexican cruisers ,. za.as0o of
and Prcgreso. The third division ..
the q. S. AAtlantic feet was tne 3.
the solace (hospital ship. and tne
,1,ah;.an and Culgoa were also tners.
Parties from each OF the ships IN lne
harhor we're represented at the smoA
er, and you can imagine ena' ~
not pass slowly. .,o,t two
"WeIl, after a stay OF .,,ch,.
weeks in the outer harbor' .ne Tar.
gan and solace were ordered 20 md
pico. and the Dolphin went .ns,0V ..sr
carried Admiral Fletcher ana nis .os,,e