The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1916-07-25
By Edwin J. Simons
(Pioneer Staff Correspondent

"
Newport, R. Saturday Led
by the flagship Rhode Island, the
Atlantic reserve fleet weighed an
chor at Block Island Friday afternoon
and steamed through a small gale to
Narragansett Bay, a short distance
from Newport, R. I.
During it's stay at Block Island
the fleet accomplished many maneu-
vers, although stormy weather and
fogs delayed action the first few days.
While maneuvering, the crews, reg
ulars and reserves, were taken
through a strenuous program of drills.
Many Men Sick.
During the storms many of the men
were taken sick
The men were given shore leave
at Newport on Friday. Leave con-
tinued until Sunday morning. Head
quarters for the Bemidji militia men
was established at hotel in the
business section of Newport and de-
spite the fact that Bemidji was 1900
miles away, it's name was left in the
minds of Newport residents.
Anchors will again be weighed
Monday and the reservists will be
taken to Philadelphia. Tuesday will
mark the embarking of the militia
on their special trains for home.
Minnesota's seven divisions, along
with some of the Michigan reserves,
will stop over at Washington, D. c.,
where they will spend eight hours
"seeing the sights
Have Pictures Taken.
They will have their pictures taken
under the dome of the national cap
itol.
The following is from the Newport
Herald, Saturday, in regard to the
naval cruise:
with the arrival of the Atlantic
reserve fleet, Rear Admiral J. M
Helm commanding, numbering nine
battleships, the Rhode Island as flag
ship, with Captain William B. Fletch.
er, U. S. NJ, of the Naval War College
staff, as temporary chief of staff tc
Admiral Helm, Narragansett Bay held
the greatest number of warships last
night in the history of the bay, 81
ships, 33 of which are battleships
with the Pennsylvania and North Car.
olina expected.
Led by Rhode Island.
The reserve fleet led by flagship
Rhode Island, followed by the Ken.
lucky, Kearsage, Maine, New Jersey
Illinois, louisiana and Virginia, came
through in a rough sea and stiff gale
to their anchorages up the bay. Soor
afterwards the Rhode Island fired E
salute of II guns for Admiral Henry
T. Mayo, commander in chief of the
Atlantic fleet, which the flagship
Wyoming returned with 13 guns fol
Rear Admiral Helm.
Week of Hard Work.
Crews from the reserve fleet, with
the naval reserves, which have had 6
week of hard work and little storm
work as we'll, will go to sea again or
Monday.
Some of the officers now flying flag:
in the Atlantic fleet and some retired
residing in Newport and jamestown
formerly commanded some of the re
serve fleet ships. The New Jersey wa
the last ship to pass from the activ'
to the reserve fleet. .-
The tonnage of the warships in th'
bay last night was:
Battleships, active fleet. -. .293, Isl
Battleships, reserve fleet. .. .119,22'
Destroyers, flagship, tender. 34,73:
Mine layers. ......... 1886
Auxiliaries, fleet train. ..... 1888!
Submarine .......... oV
Minnesota on Flagship.
The militia of the several ships fol
lows: New England organization OF
the Virginia and Kearsage, End Bat
talon Of New York and I'd Battalion
of New Jersey on the Maine, 1st Bat
talon of New Jersey and Sd Battalion
of New York on the New Jersey, Is
Battalion of New York on the Ken