Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-17
The Old Reporter

I see the Naval Rockies are Off for a
| little spiel Did ever tell YOU about the
cruise the Pennsylvania Naval Reserves
took with Cap'n Jack Philip?
1t was back In the early 9Os. The Naval
Reserve had just been organized the year
before and Robert X. Wright was CONF
mander, with George Breed l think, as vice
commander. The first cruise had been
made on the San Francisco the summer be"
fore. but this year the cruiser New York
was assigned for practice duty.
The gentlemen of the press. remember,
arrived very early in the morning Just as
the big ship was about to slip down the
river We weren't sure until the last minute
that we were to be allowed to GO The
three Of us, i Henry Wood, of the PUBLIC
LEDGER Tom Moore, of the Inquirer, and
l. of the Record, waited, with baggage all
ready for telegraphic permission from As
sistant Secretary McAdoo. 1t came to us at
o'clock. We secured a deep sea-golng
hack and flew down Broad street under fun
sail. When we got to the League Island
water front we had some difficulty in
finding a waterman who would dare to take
us out to the ship. but we finally got within
hailing distance Of the New York and were
eventually told to come aboard. We each
had n bag Of duds, and in addition Wood
carried a large basket full of carrier
pigeons. The sentry permitted us to sit on
the quarterback under his watchful eye,
and there we were when the dawn came UP
the sky. Presently, Captain Jack Philip,
who was then in command of the New
York, came up to look us over. He Is re-
membered now for his kindly gentleness
and consideration for the suffering of
others, and the incident most mentioned in
connection with him is his admonition to
his men on the Texas, during the Santiago
fight, Don't cheer, boys, the poor fellows
are dying" But here he was the gruff old
sea-dog, lie demanded to know who we
were, and when we told him and showed
the Secretary's telegram, he wanted to
know what we had in the basket. pigeons"
said Wood, And cold bottles?" asked Cap
tain Jack NO" said Wood, they're to
carry messages" What are you going to
eat?' Anything you give u.s." said RASH
ly I'm not running hotel" said he, and
walked away See Mr. Chips, the carpen-
ter" said the captain to an orderly later;
maybe he'll have something in his mess
those fellows can eat"
Mr.. Chips proved to be n grand provider,
but the best breakfast Tom Moore ever had
he got at Lewes, and subsequently lost
We had gone over there in n launch to get
mail and other things, and for breakfast
VIC had cantaloupe, oatmeal, bacon and
eggs, beefsteak and onions, hot rolls and
coffee. Returning to the ship, we found
that the sea had become somewhat rough,
and when we climbed up the companion
way Mr.. Moore's gills were green Captain
Jack Philip particularly noticed Moore and
laid kindly hand upon his shoulder. Did
you have good BREAKFAST" he asked
Tommy neither denied affirmed it,
Don't lose it," said Captain Jack, and
proceeded to tell n story that was calcu.
lated to make him. Moore lodged through
the superstructure and we found him a few
moments later with his head stuck
through a portfolio conversng with the
fishes. Between whlles he was cooling at
Captain Jack, Later in the day-oh, much
later--he came on deck, and glared angrily
n the ndRr until (Tnntnin lack
and said to him: You mustn't be angry
with me- You feel better now, don't you?
Well, that's what you needed"
Admiral Meade who was aboard, may
have been Il very nice man. l don't remem'
ber him at ALL but 1 never will wipe out
nv nlctmre of klndlY Cantain Jack.