El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-09-15

Q ing so far, q few years ago, as tc
! declare that our fighting ships Chose
now classified as '-predreadnaughts' }
were so faulty built as 10 invite de-
Z struction.
The worst of it was Che was only
a heutenant) that he proved his case
Then he attacked our naval marks
manship, declaring 1t to be utterly
I wretcheds and, unable 10 gain a hear
/ ing on that subject. he risked court
martial and dismissal by appealing
I direct TO president Roosevelt II was
I sheer characterization; but Roosevelt
I decided that he was right, and the ex-
I cellent gunnery practice of our fight
ing ships today is mainly the result
{ of Sims's efforts.
Sims NOV in command Of our naval
forces IN European waters) is an in
tensely human persOn-which, per-
haps, is one reason why he is so cor
daily and universally liked. Over
six feet in height and sparely built.
with long legs, and hair and beard
that have turned nearly snow white,
he is veritable dynamo Of energy.
Years have not impaired his peren-
NAL youthfulness and enthusiasm.
Only the other day the British adj
miralty placed him in temporary com
mand Of their own fleet. Think of
Formidable Atlantic Fleet.
One should clearly understand that
our Atlantic fleet (under command of
admiral Mayo) at present comprises
practically all of the really formid-
able elements Of the United States
navy II includes, to begin with. the
battleship force. which is split into
six divisions This is supplemented
by the cruiser force, the destroyer
force, the submarine force, etc. The
cruiser force, embraces together with
other units. the ten armored cruisers
OF the California class. which. es-
teemed very formidable crate when
they were built Is years ago, are now
utilized only as scouts.
Has eHappy ship"
In command of division No. Of the
battleship force is one Of new vice
admirals, De Witt A Coffman. He is
second in command Of the Atlantic
fleet with the superdreadnaught
wyoming as his flagship. A hand
some man, always jolly and ami
able, ne Is very popular IN the navy.
OFFICERS and men, alike, are glad TO
serve under him, because he is sym
pathetic and kindly. A ship that he
commands is always a happy" ship.
He is stOckily built man, not more
than seven inches over five feet in
stature with white mustache and
dark hair turning grey.
Albert W Grant. the vice admiral
must 1NEAL4g appointed mas DEen
signed TO the command of division
No. 4 Of the battleship force. 1t was
he who developed the system Of cleo
trlcaI illumination for our warshi3s.
Grant is a man Of rugged physique;
his features are rugged. He wears
a big mustache and eye glasses. Men
who know him describe him as a
thoroughly up to date survival of the
old time sailor man. ne knows his
business from the ground up A book
Of his, The School Of the Ship" is
regarded everywhere as authoritative
Vice Admiral Gets $4,000
A vice admiral gets $4,000 a year,
with allowances" He ranks with
a Lieutenant general in the army.
Now, Mayo, as commander in chief
of the Atlantic fleet-which is to all
intents and purposes our uavy-wiu
direct the sea fighting in the present
war at all events on this side Of the
ocean, if the Germans can get at us.
He is blue eyed, keen witted man.
rather under than over medium
height, who. in q professional way,
has specialized in guns and gunnery.
But he knows all the rules of the
game. mad then some" The fact
that he was chosen for this appoint
ment-the most vitality important,