The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-05-04

The Oregon, known also as the Bull dog of the American Navy, had Just left the port of Callao, Peru war with Spain was imminent, ana some where between the Oregon ana the Atlantic fleet there was a. strong Spanish naval force.
 The problem was to get the ore gon into Cuban waters to strengthen Admiral Sampson's fleet. It was go- ing to require fast sailing and pre- sumably hard fighting. As the war became more of certainty the Navy department realized that the fght- ing ships, which were scattered all over the world, must be assembled. The Maine had been sunk ana the conflict seem inevitable.
 The Oregon was at San Francisco when it received orders to sail. On March1 the Bulldog steamed away on its trip of more than fourteen thousand miles, ready for any emer- gency. Between San Francisco ana Key West Fla, the port of destina- ton, there were many dangerous pos abilities. It was reported that Span ish torpedo boats were lurking Tn South American waters, and no one knew at that time, by actual experl- ence, what a torpedo boat could real ly do to a battleship. Although war had not been declared the fate Of the Maine was a fair. enough warning against treachery. The menace or a roaming Spanish battle squadron was not at all fancifu1, and there were grave mechanical questions to bet set tied by the trip clear around the South American continent:
 In tn days immediately preceding the sailing the crew worked happily in San Francisco, day and night, as sixteen hundred tons of coal, five hundred tons of ammunition and stores to last six months were taken aboard. The orders were not known, but it was either Manila or Cuba. { The ship was deep in the water with its heavy cargo as it moved out of the harbor at the beginning of the most spectacular cruise in modern naval history.
 4 War Drills at Once
 No time was wasted. Capt. Charles B. Clark abandoned ordinary routine and drills for parade, substituting battery drills and work at battle sta tions. The weather became warm and then sultry. The crew slept on decks and stuck strictly to war routine The equator was passed, and on that one day the drills were suspended to greet King Neptune'' and indulge in play full ceremonies that are supposed to convert landsmen into sons of the sea.
 Sixteen days out from port the ship put in at CalIao Coal barges were waiting and so were orders. to proceed on the trip as quickly as possible. Word that there was a plot to blow up the ship caused great precautions to be taken Sentries and lookouts were doubled and supplied with am intuition, and steam cutters were set to patrol the ship; at night. Orders were stop any boat that might ap- proach within five hundred yards, and to fire or ram if necessary. The searchlights and six-pounders were kept ready for immediate use. War had not been declared, but the Oregon was taking no chances.
 While the coal was being taken aboard reports were received that the Spanish torpedo gunboat Temerario was on the Atlantic side of South America, and the Peruvian papers were filled with direful predictions as to what the little sea wasp would do to the big American in the Straits of Magellan The people in Callao were very courteous, but there were many discreet inquiries as to when the Ore gon was going to sail, and for where. Naturally, no tips were scattered and the heavy fog that fell covered the movement as the ship stole silently out of the harbor.
 From Callao to the straits stormy weather was expected, but there was no slackening in the drills. Near the turning point the ship was anchored the whole night in one of the widest gales that ever chilled a sailors heart. but the Oregon rode it out in great style.
 At daylight the ship was under way for high speed spurt through the straits; the waters in which the Tem- erario was expected. The marrow and tortuous channel afforded excel lent opportunities for a, torpedo boat to hide behind points, of land for a sudden dash out, the discharge of a murderous shell and a quick victory. In those days there was mo Panama canal and the Oregon had to, take it's chances over a rough trail.
 Every precaution was taken against surprise A midchanne1c course was kept and eagle-eyed gunners were ready at their rapid firers to give the enemy a blasting fire. It was planned that if a mysterious vessel should be sighted the Oregon should head away and hoist the international signal: .s "Appearance threatening; be on your guard. Do not approach closer, at your peril"
 If any vessel had approached after the signal had been shown and after the Oregon had backed up it was Capt. Clark's determination to open ] fire and sink the stranger, being an
 earnest sort of a man, who meant
 what he said or signaled.
 r. The speed record through the
 straits was surprising. The contract
 speed of the vessel called for fifteer knots an hour under forced draught
 for four hours only, and conditions
 had to be favorable. Under stress
 however, the good ship made fifteer and a half knots for eleven hours
 after rough trip of 2,600 miles from 1 Callao.
 ! With the Decks Cleared 1 Punta Arenas was reached after
 dark. The harbor was entered witf
 the decks cleared for action, all hand
 at battle stations and with foul
 searchlights blazing their white glar,
 in all directions. The American coa ship Marietta was at Punta Arenas Leaving at daylight the Marietta
 steamed ahead of the Oregon as {