Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-08-26
Officers Are Busy.

The greatest things that the navy is
doing are not heralded. Since the war
began there is not an officer in any de-
partment of the navy who has not
taken advantage of the lessons taught
by the war Experiments are proceed
ing day and night, and today in every
element our navy has no superior in the
world. We do have superiorS in size
and numbers, and il is for us to con-
tinue to strengthen our navy.
Il believe we ought to increase our
navy steadily, SO that in time of stress
and emergency the real first strong arm
of our country will be ready to defend
our country if it is attacked from any
quarter
The Wyoming picked up the gov
errors at the Charlestown navy yard.
and taking up a position few miles
east of Boston light. became the target
of attack by twenty-five torpedo boat
destroyers after they had passed in re-
view with ten battleships.
Admiral Fletcher had prepared several
surprises for his passengers. who included
the wives and staffs of the visiting gov
errors and former governors. The tor
pedo boat fotiila passed the flagship at
a distance of 300 yards and then disap-
peared. They were followed in double
column by the battleships. headed by the
Arkansas and the Utah. After the review
appeared to have been ended the destroy
ers suddenly reappeared in the east.
On the flagship a general alarm against
torpedo attack was sounded and soon the
big guns of the Wyoming began TO fire
blank shots at the onrushing destroyers.
The latter circled the flagship, pouring
forth dense volumes of smoke made by
excessive use of oil. Soon the destroyers
were hidden behind the black cloud that
isolated the flagship. While interest was
absorbed in this maneuver. the smoke
screen suddenly was broken by the de-
stroyer Ammen. which was observed
dashng head-on for the Wyoming. The
guns of the latter were Immediately
dered away. The destroyer, however,
came en-, and when she had approached
within 1900 yards discharged a torpedo.
Torpedo Is Fired.
The missile was seen to strike the water
and then, submerged, made its way
toward the flagship. The latter. however.
on the instant had been put slightly to
starboard, under a full head of steam.
with the result that the speeding torpedo
passed a few feet astern.
Theoretically the attack by the de-
stroyers was countered. and they with
drew.
The governors appeared immensely in
terested i'll the sham engagement. and
with close attention followed the orders
from the bridge which We're Interpreted
by a blue jacket through a megaphone
into understandable language.
Following these exercises Secretary
Daniels met with the governors and
made the address quoted above. Late
in the afternoon the party left in
launches for Gloucester. where they
stopped for a moment at the home of
John Hays Hammond. Thence they
went in automobiles to the Eastern
Yacht Club. at Marblehead, where they
We're entertained at dinner by the BoS-
ton Chamber of Commerce.
Secretary Daniels responded to
toast to President Wilson. paying
high tribute to the executive and de-
claring that the President had left
nothing undone to put the country in a
proper condition of defense.
During the dinner telephone connec-
tons were established with Sacramento,
Cal, so that Gov. Walsh of Massachu
sets could exchange greetings with
Gov johnson.