The sun., 1917-05-17
Warships Cross Ocean in
Fighting Trim and Go at
Once to Post.
SURPRISE TO BRITISH
Americans Win Admiration
by Prompt Departure
for Patrol Duty.
ESCORTED GREAT LINER
One Vessel Has Clash With
Submarine, but Result Is
Kept Secret.

QUEENSTOWN, May ia squadron
Of American torpedo boat destroyers
has safely crossed the Atlantic and II
patrolling the seas in war service. Tho
American navy's actual entry into the
war zone has already been productive
OF brush between a destroyer and q
German underwater boat, according to
an announcement by the British Ad-
been made public.
The destroyer squadron arrived In
Queenstown after an uneventful voyage
across the Atlantic. but almost inn
mediately after a formal exchange OF
greetings with the British naval officials
that is before 1t.
A crowd of several hundred persons,
some OF them carrying tiny American
fags. lined the waterfront and cheered
the destroyers from the moment they
sighted the flotilla until It reached the
dock. The crowd cheered again. when
a few moments later the American
senior officer came ashore to greet the
British senior officer and Wesley Frost,
the American Consul. Everything was
done in a simple. businesslike manner.
There was an entire absence Of for.
mality.
Greeted by Wireless.
The commander of the British flotiilA
was waiting on board his ship, and sent
wireless greetings to the American units
as soon as they hove in sight. steaming
in long line into the harbor.
fknr 81, -
and the British commander had con.
graduated the American officers on
their safe voyage. he asked:
When will you be ready for bust
ness?"
We can start at once" the Ameri.
can commander replied.
This response surprised tho British
commander. vino said he had not ex.
pected the Americans would be ready
to begin work on this side so soon after
their long voyage. When he had re-
covered from his surprise. however. he
made a short tour of the deetroyers and
admitted that the American tars looked
prepared.
Prepared on Voyage.
Yes" replied tho American COM
mander. I'VE made preparations on the
way over That is why we are ready"
The equipment on board the destroyers
was found TO be In excellent condition
and remarkably well suited to the re-
qulrements on this side of the ocean.
, In fact It was said by the British officer
that the only thing lacking IN tho equip
ment OF the American sailors was
! heavier clothing. 1t appears that the
Americans were wearing clothing too
! fight for the varying conditions Of
weather they will encounter in these
waters. This, however, was quickly
| provided.
| After the formalitics had ended and
the needs of the men We're attended to
the American ships Mt once put out to
sea, the men from Captains to ordinary
seamen looking In tho pink Of condition
and apparently enthusiastic for Tho
, task.
! '"rhoy are certainly n fine body OF
men. and what's more their craft look
Just as fit said The British commander
~ lie watched the destroyors fle sea
ward.
! Convoy for Liner.
! One OF the American destroyers began
war duty even before reaching this side
| or the Atlantic, picking up and escort
| ing through the danger zone one Of the
| largest OF the Atlantic liners This
| action so please the passengers on
! hoard that they sent message Of greet
ing and appreciation TO the commander
OF the destroyer The message read:
british passengers ON board a steamer
| bound for a British port under he pro
lection OF an American torpedo destroyer
send their hearty greetings to her COM
| mander and her officers and crew. and
desire to express their keen appreciation
of this practical cooperation between the
Governments and peoples Of the United
States and the British Empire. who are
now fighting together for the freedom OF
The seas
Movie Films Taken.
Many enthusiastic pcrsons managed 90
get snapshots of the American vessels
in Queenstown hdrhor. but the best pic
lures those that are destined 10 become
famous. are moving pictures taken by tho
official British Government photog-
rapher as the fiotila steamed Into port.
with his camera mounted on a small
tugboat the operator went out 10 meet
the destroycrs and filmed them from
many angles.
ON arriving in Qneoui to,vn some OF
the members of the crews of the destroy
ers were granted brief shore leave They
were fairly made cIptiVcs hy the towns-
people, who insisted ON taking theln TO
their homes. where they Piled The sailors
with good things TO vat and drink, They
were the first American naval men ssan
in these parts for many years, and they
were bombardcd with questions concern
ing the happenings IN America by people
who have relatives there
American Flag In Queenstown.
As they wandered through the streets
the Americans observed The Stars and
Stripes flying from many buildings They
were told that these were hoisted TO
celebrate the entry Of the United States
into the war and had been lcft there "a
an honor 10 the American sailors. whom
they had been expecting
| Immediately after American residents
] In London learned last week that Amer
; lean warships were operating In British
waters they began TO discuss measure 5