Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-17
SQUADRON BEGINS
. PATROLL|NG SEAS
IN WAR SERVICE
A Already Productive Of
Brush With German
Submarine.
RESULT OF ENCOUNTER
NOT YET MADE PUBLIC
English Officer Surprised at
Readiness Of Americans to
Begin Work at Once.
MOST CORDIALLY RECEIVED
One Commander Gets Message Of.
Appreciation for Fiscorting Liner
Through Danger Zone.
RESULT OF ENCOUNTER
NOT YET MADE PUBLIC
MOST CORDIALLY RECEIVED
One Commander Gets Message Of
Appreciation for Escorting Liner
Through Danger Zone.

ny Associated Press. .t
QCEENSTOwN, May lG.-A squadron
Of American torpedo boat destroycrs
has safely crossed the Atlantic. and is
patrolling the seas in war service.
The American navy's actual entry
into the war zone has already been
productive OF brush between "a de-
stroycr and German under water
boat. according to an announcement
by the British Admiralty, but the re-
suit OF it has not been made public.
The destroyer squadron arrived in
Queenstown after an uncvcntful voyage
across the Atlantic, but almost immc-
diatcly after a formal exchange of
greetings with the British naval OFF,
Gals, put to sea again for the hard
work that is before it,
n crowd of several hundred persons.
some OF them carrying tiny American
flags. lined the waterfront and ohecred
the destroycrs from the moment they
first sighted the flotilla until it reached
the dock. The crowd chccrcd again
when few moments later the Amcri.
can senior officers came ashore to greet
the British senior officer, and Wesley
Frost. the American consul. who had
come down 10 the dock to welcome tho
fotilia. Everything was done in
simple. busincss-liko manner There
was an entire absence OF formality.
The commander OF the British fotilla
was awaiting on board his ship and
sent wireless greetings to the Amcri-
can units as soon as they hove in sight
steaminS in "a long line into the har.
bor.
ENTHUSIASTICALLY AMERtC%N
REPLY SURPRISES BRTTlsII
Aftcr the exchange OF shore greet.
ings and the British commander had
congratulated tho American officers ON
'hrir safe voyage. he asked:
When will you be ready for busi-
ncss:'
we can start at once" the American
coihihahder replied promptly.
rms response, so charactcristicuIIv
american surprised the British com.
'""uer VINO said he had not cxpccted
nc americans would be ready to begin
Mo'N on inns side so soon after their
us ,os"sc' when he had recovered
80 ~" SURPRISE however. he made a
snort tour of the destroyers. and "a
mitted that the American t,rs iao,,
prepared. Neu
Yes" replied the American com
mandcr. we made prcparations on 49,
way over That is WHY we ar. ~.
The equipment on board tbo do.,,.'
ers was found TO be in cxc.I,.,n, 80
uitioh. and remarkably we'll .ui,o,
'he requirements on this side or ~
ocean. In fact. it was said bv tho p,.,;r
80" o'i'cer' that the only thing I,ckinrr
III me equipment of the American s,i,
wis heavier clothing 1t nnno,r
''' 'hc americans were wearing cIo,h
ms 700 iiSht for the varying weatb.r
cohoitions they will encounter in ,I,.s.
waters This lack however
quickly provided for.
AMERICAN SHIPS
AF ONCE PUT TO SEA
Hl'er the formalities had end.1 -,
"' nccas OIL the men were ATTENDED ~
f''ericah ships at once put ont ~
'e"' tue men from captains 10 ordi
seahien looking in the pink ne
."naition and apparently enthus,os1
for their task
"eS are certainly a fine BODY op
men, and, what's more, their cr.r ,o,.
just as fit." said the British commanaa.
as he watched the destroyers flo -
ward
one or the American destroyers h..
gan war duty even before re.cb;,,
ihis side of the Atlantic. This W..
when 1t picked up and escorted tbron-h
me danger zone one Of the larrost ,t
'he Atlantic liners. This actionsEso
p'eaSed The passengers on boarf,. IL a. Z 4
'heH sent message OF greeting and
appreciation to the commander OF, thc
destroEer. The message read:
hritish passengers on board a,
steamer bound for "a Eritish MORT
under the protection Of an American
torpedo destroyer send their hearty
greetings to her commander and her
officers and crew and desire TO expres.
their Keen appreciation of this prac-
ucal cooperation between the govern.
ment and peoples of the United STATE.
and the British empire who arc now
lighting together for the freedom OF
the seas" -
MANY GET SNAPSHOTS
OF AMERICAN VESSELS
Many enthusiastic persons managed =
TO get snapshots Of the American vas.
sells in Queenstown hnrbor. but tho
best pictures and those that 80 3