Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-05-23
u. S. FIGHTING SHIPS OVER
In European Waters Ready for Inl-
mediate Service.

to-day announced the arrival of
American destroyers in British wa
ters. The following announcement
was given out:
"The British admiralty states that
a flotilla Of United States destroyers
recently arrived in this country to
cooperate with our naval forces in
the prosecution Of the war"
Rear Admiral Sims, u. S ~, who
is in general command Of all the
United States naval forces that are
sent to European waters, Is in daily
touch with the chief Of the British
naval staff.
The admiralty announcements says
the services which the American YES
sells are rendering to the allied cause
are Of the greatest value and are
deeply appreciated.
In Touch With Submarine.
Queenstown, May 16.-A squadron
Of American torpedo boat destroyers
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 a brush between a de-
strOyer and German underwater
boat, according to an announcement
by the British admiralty. but the re-
suit Of it has not been made public.
J0c n t,,
Queenstown after an uneventful voy-
age across the Atlantic, but almost
Immediately, after a formal exchange
Of greetings with the British naval
officials, put to sea for the hard work
that is before it.
A crowd Of several hundred per-
sons, some Of them carrying tiny
American flags, lined the water front
and cheered the destroyers from the
moment they first sighted the notilla
until it reached the dock. The crowd
cheered again when, a few moments
later, the American senior officer
came ashore to greet the British SEN
ior officer and Wesley Frost, the
American consul, who had come
down to the dock to welcome the flo
tilla. Everything was done in a sim
pie, business-like manner. There was
an entire absence Of formality.
We Are Ready
The commander Of the British flo
tilla was waiting on board his ship
and sent wireless greetings to the
American units as soon as they hove
In sight, steaming in long line into
the harbor.
After the exchange of shore greet
ings and the British commander had
conSra tulated the American officers
on their safe voyage he asked:
when will you be ready for bust
ness?"
1--WE can start at once" the Amcri-
can commander replied promptly.
This response, so characteristically
surprised the British COM
mander, who said he had not expect
ed the Americans would be ready to
begin work on this side so soon after
their long voyage.
When he had recovered from his
however, he made short
tour Of the destroyers and admitted
that the American tars looked pre-
pared.
Yes" replied the American COM
mander, eve made preparations on
the way over. That is why we are
ready"
The equipment on board the de-
stroyers was found to be in excellent
and remarkably we'll suited
to the requirements on this side of
the ocean. In fact, it was said by the
British officer that the only thing
lacking in the equipment of the
American sailors was heavier cloth
ing. 1t appears that the Americans
were wearing clothing too light for
the varying conditions of weather
they will encounter in these waters.
This lack, however. was quickly
provided for.
After the formalities had ended
and the needs OF the men were at
tended to the American ships at once
put out to sea, the men. from cap
tains to ordinary seamen. looking in
the pink Of condition and apparently
enthusiastic for their task.
''They are certainly a fine body of
men, and what's more their craft
look just as fit" said the British
commander as he watched the de-
dpSt rOyers flo spawar1