Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-18
u S. BLUEJACKETS
!. IN STRANGE PORTS
War Experiences of Scorpions
Crew Are Typical Of
the Service.
WON PRAISE BY CONDUCT

Unusual opportunities to see at first
hand the feeling existing among the
nations of the countries at war were
given the officers and men of the
United States converted yacht Scorpion,
the ship assigned by the Navy Depart
ment at Constantinople for the use OF
the American ambassador there. The
men aboard this vessel have dis
tinguished themselves time and again
and have brought compliment upon
compliment upon themselves and the
navy of the United States by the way
<hey conducted themselves at all times.
before the present European conflict
started. after II started. and even after
the United States got into the war.
The vessel was interned Monday by
the Turkish government, and all ex-
cept twenty-three sailors are aboard
her at this time. picture of the
crew of the little vessel is here shown,
and it shows the type of men from
whom the foreigner who never gets
out of his own land must draw his
impressions of the United States
Their Experiences Typical.
The experience of these sailormen is
not case at random, but the average
sailorman of Uncle Sans navy has
Just as varied experience and oppor-
tunity to visit foreign countries and
ever be of service to his country. while
learning a trade. even in time of peace.
The sailors aboard the Scorpion have
had a wonderful experience since the
NH tab hAy-
are aboard is of the converted yacht
type, just a little smaller than the
Presidents yacht Mayflower. which al
most every one in Washington has
seen at some time or other, either at
her dock at the Washington navy yard
or cruising up and down the Potomac
river. She has an armament of four
six-pounder rapid fire guns and rifle
or pistol for every officer and man
aboard.
Since the start of the present Eu-
United States vessel have been keenly
interested. in a position because of
their closeness to the American embas-
sy at Constantinople. to learn much of
ments. The ship made two trips
through the mine fields of the Darda-
nelles to get gold for the relief of
United States citizens.
Won Praise of Foreigners.
Shortly after the outbreak of the
war the Turkish government seized
the converts there for military pur-
poses and ordered the nuns to vacate.
There was much excitement and the
American ambassador offered the serv-
ices of the crew of the Scorpion in get
ting the nuns to safety. The sailors
were to convoy the nuns across the
Golden Horn to Stamboul. Several trips
were made in the picket boat of the
Scorpion, a type of barge found aboard
the dreadnaughts of the American
navy. and which always caused con-
sternation among the Turkish boatmen
whenever 1t made trip. because of the
wake IL left, being enough to stand the
Turkish boats on end. The sailors fur
nished protection to these women and
lett them only when they were per-
fectly safe in the railroad station.
There were about hundred of the
nuns. This duty brought forth much
praise for the American boys.
When the British embassy star va
Gated the embassy after the declara-
tion of war 1t was the sailors of the
Scorpion who took charge and furnish
ed the guard, and raised the Stars and
Stripes over the building. Feeling was
apparently high, but the sailormen,
fully armed. slept inside of the big en-
bassy doors. whilesthe crowds assem-
bled in droves around the gates on the
Outside
There was fear that there would be an
attempt to burn the embassy. and for this
reason guard was maintained there.
The crowd. it was afterward proved. was
there In a spirit of curiosity rather than
on-trouble bent. But the American sailors
did not know that at the time, and they
intended to protect the property which
had been turned over to them
! Prom those who were on the scene at
The time 1t is learned that the Turkish
people were not enthusiastic over the
prospects of entering the war and that
the trouble was started by German Off
GERS who were leading them into it.
Occupied British Club.
large British club in Constantinople
was turned over exclusively to the Amer
lean sailors. This was done, it was de-
clared. to prevent the Turkish government
seizing 1t. 1t was probably the first time
that bluejackets had such exclusive club
quarters ashore turned over to them for
their use And they had a good time be-
sides furnishing protection to the prop
erty. There were pool tables. billiards
cardrooms-in fact. everything that would
be found in a clubhouse of the exclusive
class There they gave minstrel shows.
had their friends on holidays and were
always in for good time when the work
aboard ship was over.
Those who had an opportunity to watch
the sailors of the Scorpion say that under
every circumstance they conducted them
selves in a manner in keeping with the
American uniform. Every one who had a
chance to see them and watch them
praised them and their conduct in the
very highest terms and spoke in the high
est manner Of their fine appearance on
ali occasions Especially high was this
praise from the foreigners
The Scorpion had eighty men aboard
her.
Every man who enliSts in the navy
while he may not have the same expert
enee as these fellows will have the op-
portunity of getting experiences Just as
varied The service of these men shows
how the young American boy of red blood
can always be of service to his country
In time of peace and war