Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-05-17


QUEENSTOWN, May IA squad
ron OF American torpedo boat de-
stroyers has safely crossed the At
lantic and is patrolling The seas In
war service.
The American navy's actual entry
into the war zone already has been
productive of a brush between a de-
stroyer and n German underwater
boat, according to an announcement
by the British admiralty but the re-
suit of II has not been made public.
The destroyer squadron arrived In
Queenstown after an uneventful voy-
age across the Atlantic, but almost
Immediately after "A formal exchange
Of greetings with the British naval Of
ficials put to sea again for the hard
work that is before 1t.
Many welcome Squadron.
A crowd OF several hundred persons.
some of them carrying tiny American
flags, lined the water front and
cheered the destroyers from the mo-
ment they were sighted until they
reached the dock. The crowd again
checred when few moments later
the American senior officer came
ashore TO greet the British senior Of
fccr and Wesley Frost, the American
consul, who had come down to the
dock to welcome the flotilla.
The commander of the British flo
tilla was waiting on board his ship and
sent wireless greetings TO the Ameri-
can units as soon as they hove In
sight. stcaming in long line into
the harbor.
After the exchange of shore greet
ings and the British commander had
congratulated the American officers
on their safe voyage. he asked:
when will you he ready for busi-
ness"
Ready to Act Now.
We can start at once" the Ameri-
can commander replied promptly.
This response so characteristtcaily
/ American. surprised the British COM
.mander, who said he had not expected
7 the Americans would be ready to be-
/ gin work on this side so soon after
their long voyage. When he had re-
I covered from his surprise, however,
/ he made a short tour OF the destroy
ers and admitted that the American
tars looked prepared.
! YES" replied the American COM
mander. I'VE made preparations on
] the way over. That is why we ars
ready"
The equipment on board the de-
/ stroyers was found to be in excellent
condition and remarkably we'll suited
10 the requirements on this side of the
| ocean. In fact, IL was said by the
| British officer that the only thing
/ lacking in the equipment OF the Amer
| lean sailors was heavier clothing. IL
appears that the Americans We're
wearing clothing too light for the
| varying conditions OF weather they
would encounter in these waters. This
! lack, however. was quickly provided
for
After the formallties had ended tho
needs Of the men We're attended to the
! American ships at once put out to sea,
the men, from captains TO seamen,
looking in pink of condition and ap-
parently enthusiastic for their task
"They are certainly fine body OF
men and what's more, their craft
looks lust as fit" said the British COM
mander, as he watched the destroyers
file seaward.
One Already Mt Work.
One OF the American destroyers be-
gan war duty even before reaching
this side of the Atlantic. This was
when It picked up and escorted thru
the danger zone one OF the largest OF
the Atlantic liners. This action so
pleased the passengers ON board that
they sent a message Of greeting and
appreciation 10 the commander of the
destroyer.
on arriving in Queenstown some of
/ the members of the crews of the de-
stroyers were granted brief shore
leave. They were fairly made captives
by the townspeople who insisted on
taking them TO their homes, where
they piled the sailors with good things
TO eat and drink. They We're the first
| American naval men seen In these
parts for many years and they were
bombarded with questions concerning
the happenings In America BY peo-
pie who have relatives there.
As they wandered thru the streets
the Americans observed the Stars and
stripes flying from many buildings
They We're told that these were hoist
ed to celebrate the entry Of the United