The Washington herald., 1919-09-02

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ssh ervss4r u~snA Nsre>noo - -
vseesi etta0p1eA - sDeaSs fro0 u
TIE MAsaach usssts was tie aag-
ship Of the naval v~osois in ohnpUn
OF conveying Americas TROOPS Ac0
cusa to Porto Rico for thr por<s
Rican campaign A few ysars ago
the Texas later renamed the san
Marcos. was used as a target fer
later bsttleships at Tansier Sound IN
Chesapeake Bay.
After the spanish-Amerfcan var
the Oregon remained on duty with
the Pacific feet until decade ago.
when. her usefulness gone. abe was
placed In reserve commission
The Iowa. Massachusetts and m
diana participated in the home-oom- /,
ing OF the victorious Atlantic nesf
after the spanish-American war. and
remained on duty in home waters,
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had been placed In reserve the threa
sister ships were for several years
used as training vessels and con-
veyed the midshipmen from the Ma
val academy abroad each summer
for q practice cruise. Finally they,
too. were moored 70 the docks In
navy yards apparently 20 rust away,
Fleet Cruises Around world
In the rpeantime a later class Of
ships had been launched 20 add to
the might OF American naval pow
er. The Kearsarge, Kentucky, ulf-
nois, Wisconsin, Maine. Missouri and
Ohio. launched between 1898 and
1901, formed the nucleus Of the new
steel" navy that was winning the
United States an assured place
among the great naval powers
These ships. then unsurpassed in
the world. carried the American
flag into the ports Of the world for
many yars. and IN 1907. when the
mighty United States feet left New
York for the historic cruise around
the world to demonf trate in all
lands the might and power OF the
American navy. they held their
places with their more modern sis-'
ters throughout that memorable
ever undertaken by 80 large q body
of ships Of war.
On the return of the beet TO this
country the older ships were forced
into the background by the new
navy and were sent to the back
channels OF the navy yards 20 Join
the Oregon Iowa Massachusetts,
and Indiana
The entrance Of the United States
into the world war brought a demand
for every ton OF sea power the United
States could command. and again the
old navy was called upon 20 defend
the flag. All Of the twelve old vessels
were outftted, modern fire control ap- b
plisnces were installed, new coats OF
war paint were applied 20 their
time-scarred sides, and they were cali
Ned out TO 3oin the neet -.a
The Oregon saw service on the West e.
Coast throughout the war as q coast
defence vessel and training ship for
enlisted personnel The Massachusetts,.
Iowa and Indiana were used for q
time as station ships at Newport
r L; Norfolk, Va. and New York.
respectively, and later were ordered
south to Join the main fighting force,
which already included the Kesrsarge.
Kentucky and the other vessels Of an
cient fame. For the remainder Of the
war the historic old ships took part
in tho operations OF the Atlantic feet .
along the coast and rendered valuable
service as training ships.
After the arnlistice the Iowa, the
Massachusetts and the Indiana were
sent to the navy yard at Philadelphia,
where their colors were hauled down
for the last time and they were con-
- - F1n
Oregon sufIeres a similar fate on the
Pacinc Coast The other ship. OF the
old navy remained temporarily on
duty, most of them for use as troop
transports, but they too will soon be
relegated to the scrap heap.
The Oregon May BE Museum.
The Oregon has been offered 20 the
State Of Oregon for such use as the
/ State may see ft 70 make Of Il a.
/ a training ship and naval historical
/ museum. the only condition being that
the commonwealth keep the old sea
I fighter IN good condition as belts
/ time-honored pensioner Of glorious
history. The Iowa. the Massachusetts
and the Indiana probably will be
! broken up in order that the valuable
( metal contained In them. particularly
/ copper and brass, may be utilized IN
! the construction Of more modern YES
sells. Several Of the other old ships
will be used for targets and the rest
junked.
Three other vessels, famous forever
I IN American naval annals, the Olyn-
I pis- Admiral Dewey's flagship at Ma
4 nila Bay: the New York. Rear Ac-
miral SIMPSONS flagship, and the
/ Brooklyn. Rear Admiral Schley's nag
J ship: also saw service during the
I world war and still are on active duty
| in various parts OF the world. II is
/ probable that IN q very few years al
! of these historic ships win be plscei
l out OF commission for good. Thsy
will never, however. be scrapped In
/ the opinion OF naval officers.
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