The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1918-03-23

somewhere" at sea silently speed-
ing through waters that hide the
twentieth century pirate-the subma-
rine- is a flotilla of American de-
stroyers.
On them, above all else, depends the
turn of the tide in favor of the allies.
AS, more than a century ago, the
seas were cleared of pirates who had
exacted tribute from all the maritime
powersI so now is the American navy
taking the lead to clear the seas of
new brand of pirate, the representa-
tiyes of the German emperor who first
sink their victims ships and fire on
their unarmed men, women and chill
dren, and who expect by these meth
DDS later to exact tribute from the
werld.
One hundred years ago it was the
new nation, America, that ended PR
acy, and opened shipping safely to
the world. And it was Commodore
Edward Preble who guided the Amer
lean fleet to victory against the Trip
Olitans.
Now another fleet is in action. One
of our destroyers is named the Preble
In honor of the man whose service was
second to none in the war of other
Gays.
Is the destroyer Preble to make such
history as did the man Preble?
No war of history has offered more
opportunity for distinction. Naval
warfare now is different than ever be-
fore. But American naval officers
are as valiant, and as efficient as at
any other period of history.
The destroyer Preble was attached
TO the Pacific fleet before the United
States entered the World war. She
makes 28.3 knots, and carries two s.
inch 5O-calibre rapid fire guns, five
6-pounder rapid fire guns, and two 10
inch torpedo tubes. Her complement
is three officers and seventy-two men.
The Preble's displacement is APO tons,
she is 245 feet long and % feet beam.
., Her engines are 1000 horse power,
with twin screw propellers.
The part she will play in this war,
the records that may De written down
in the new chapter of the history OF
warfare, will be made doubly interest
ing by recalling some of the deeds
of the illustrious officer whose name
she bears.
Edward Preble, born in Portland,
Maine, in 1861, grew into a strong,
athletic, and notwithstanding boy,
and against the wishes of his father
followed his plan to become a sailor
by leaving school after three years
and going to sea.
His first experience in naval service
came in 1779 when he was appointed
nnidshipman in the state ship Protec-
tor, 26 guns. On her first cruise the
Protector defeated in battle the Ad-
miral Duff, 36 guns, and later was de-
featcd in a battle with two British
ships. Some months afterward Preble
entered as first lieutenant on the Win
throp.
Preble's valor became generally
known because of an exploit while on
the Winthrop. In the night Captain
Little of that ship with Lieutenant
Preble and forty of his crew, decided
to board brig lying in Penobscot
harbor. AS Lieutenant Preble and
fourteen men sprang into the brig the
boat with Captain Little and the re-
mainder of the crew was carried away
from the briggs side. Captain Little
called out to Preble:
"Will you not have more men,"
With great presence Of mind and
in, a loud voice, he answered:
"No; we have more than we want;
we stand in each others way"
Lieutenant Preble's reply so fright
ened the crew that many of them
jumped overheard, and the officers sur
rendered Immediately. The vessel was
taken out of the harbor under fire of