Catoctin clarion., 1918-10-31
admiral SIMS" .
!! IS LEFT on PIER
British Destroyer Rushes to Res
cue After Transport Starts
for France.
Big CROWD IS DISAPPOINTED
Being a True Tale Of Admiration for
an American Sailor Superstition
Transport Captain to
the Rescue.

yondon.-"Admiral Sims had gone
astray. 1t would be another little Jop
for the navy to trace him.
All day long the quay, with a mann
moth TRANSPORT alongside, had been III
orally seething with troops that passed
nm the steep gangway in an unending
Ale For q month and more these
drafts numbering several thousands
had been expected, with the result tnat
the entire town was en- fete and on tip
toes to receive them.
AS they swung down the streets DE-
meath a sky Of bunting, one long COM
pact crowd hemmed them IN on elther
side. cheering and waving small haes
from pavement to rooftop. Never was
there such a sight. And yet. despite
the exulting hurrahs. there was CO.
ordinate and general expectation that
the climax was yet to come; cnmaA
for which was reserved the loudest
shout of the strongest lung. In snort
Admiral Sims was the coping stone 1or
popular enthusiasm, and he had not
yet appeared.
The end Of the line OF troops was
seen by those on the roofs and at the
windows; it cleared the open space
outside the docks and disappeared be-
hind the gates; still no Admiral Sims.
Then. by some extraordinary law, ap'
preciated only by those who are verseo
in the psychology Of crowds. placid.
though angry disappointment possessed
every one. Admiral Sims was a "wasn
out"
More Stripes Than Navy Boards.
The fact was there had been a mis-
understanding, and it occurred in this
way: When the troops first landed the
mayors daughter presented small
tabby kitten-as a mascOt-to the COM
manding officer. 1t was a fascinating
ball of fluff. with large dreamy blue
ewes and claws that drew blood from
every one who petted it. 1t was the
progeny Of tabby sire; 1t had as
many stripes as the whole navy board
combined. Accordingly some wit chris
tened it admiral Sims" Within an
hour of the presentation every man
was talking Of the admiral" and the
good luck the blue-eyed kitten carried
with 1t.
Rumor of its coming preceded It,
but by the time the news reached the
port of embarkation 1t was the real
Admiral Sims that was accompanying
the troops. Hence the dlsappoint
ment when Americas hero did moi
appear.
Now admiral Sims" Travelled In q
wicker basket that was carried by Q
Trustworthy corporal, who. while walt
ing on the jetty, placed his precious
load on the ground. Suddenly the or
der was given to embark, and In the
excitement of the moment the basket
was forgotten. Away went the trans
port amid cheers and flags and only
when the riot Of Joy had ceased was
the "admiral" missed.
What was to be done? To land In
France was to court disaster. Accord
ingly the matter was referred to the
general, who at once approached the
captain of the ship. All sailors are SUI
perstitious, and particularly where
cats are concerned. The skipper thor
oughly sympathlzed. Yes, he would
arrange matters somehow; and he did,
Destroyer Rushes to Rescue.
It was dusk. A mile or so outside
the harbOr one could just see the long
gray forms of three or four destroyers;
they were the escort. Here was his
chance. In twinkling he made the
following signal to the o. c.: admiral
Sims left on quay. Can you embark?''
Such an honor no commander In his
majesty's feet was likely to refuse.
Within few minutes, therefore, a de.
strOyer was tearing toward the harbor
to embark Americas greatest sailor.
AS she neared her destination she
"blinked" a signal to the port author
ity: Returning for Admiral Sims;
please inform"
Another ten minutes, with the sea
washing over her bow, her siren hoot-
Ing, and the crew at quarters, the de-
strOyer fetched up alongside, ready to
receive her honored charge. Then, to
the establishment of all. deckhand
hurried to the landing stage and held
out a basket. "Where's the admiralT
shouted the commander. "Inside this
'ere," was the reply, and without an
other word the basket, with the kitten
half hanging out, was handed on
board.
Imagine the commanders feelings
They were expressed in exact ratio as
he put his helm hard aport and sour
ried off to rejoin the escort. His fury
was like unto a monsoon. Nevertheless,
he ran alongside the transport and
transhipped his cargo, for duty is duty.
And now If you ask him whether he
knows Admiral Sims he will tell you
that he once met him; that he was the
best shipmate he had ever known;
that he talked very little, never
smoked, slept most Of the day and
drank nothing but milk.
Few things annoy the commander
more than If you reply, "Ratsl"
The skeleton Of IN average whale