The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-07-05


lantic feet, went to Europe, as he did
several times during the course of the
war. he was known to all on board.
with the exception of the commanding
officer of the ship. as Mr.. Wing. When
Admiral Sims went over Immediately
following the declaration of war In
April, 1917, he was booked as "Mr.
Richardson" while Captain Babcock,
who was Admiral Sims aid, was Mr..
Robertson.
1t is probable that no officer in any
Of the allied navies played more i'm
portant part in the direction of the
naval part of the war, after April.
1917, than did Admiral Mayo, the com
mander of the Atlantic feet. 1t is also
certain that no prominent officer APP
peared fewer times in the public print
than did Admiral Mayo. The other
day an officer of the fleet, who was
close to Admiral Mayo during the war.
and who knows the story of the adj
miral's war activities, told it for the
first time.
II guess It's all right" said this Of
ficer, now that the ships of the navy
are home and admirals' flags are wav-
ing peacefully and calmly in the Sc
curity of yards and docks, stories of
experiences abroad are coming In with
the drift of conversation in the ward
room and in the quarter deck. 1t Is
all over now, official reports have been
made, the censor's tightening grip has
been loosened on his rubber stamp,
and even men bound down by the iron
clad rules of Operations" are known
to spin yarn.
"In all of the sea travel that came
to ranking officers of the United States
navy none has attained the ocean
crossings accomplished by Admiral
Henry Il. Mayo during the war. If the
log of the writer Is correct all of these
voyages except two were made in the
winter. His first trip across was in
1917 and was made under the most
secretive of movements. Again he
went over with his entire staff. and
Il
December was taken off this ship on u
tender In Gravesend bay, hurried to
his flagship the U. s. S. Pennsylvania,
in the New York navy yard, the follow
ing day sailing as the escort to Presi-
dent Wilson on his first trip abroad.
Arriving at Brest he turned right
around again and brought the fleet
home. Then he went to Cuba. and re-
turning visited New York for the usual
April recreation period of the feet.
Inspects the Navies.
at was while on his second trip
abroad that Admiral Mayo made prob
ably the most extensive tour of in
spection made by any commanding of
flcer during the war. With members
of his staff he visited not only the
American and English navles, but also
every branch OF the allied forces In
Europe. 1t was on this trip that he
was entertained by both the English
and Italian kings.
1T was this continued yoyaging of
the admiral which caused some one to
remark at the Army and Navy club In
Washington that of all the officers in
the navy. Admiral Mayo was continual
ly on the wing.
"'And most appropriately replied a
civilian traveller on an ocean liner
some months past, for l once knew
him as "Mr. Wing"
| Which let's the secret out, for when
in 1917 Admiral Mayo and his staff
sailed most quietly and secretively on
the st. Louis he was known as Mr..
Wing. He wore the dress of a civilian,
as did all of the members of his staff.
Only the ships commanding officer
knew of his presence-save one, a
naval officer in charge Of a gun crew.
who saluted him. Whether or not the
salute was returned with wink or a
frown is not known.
admiral Mayo and staff went over
in July, 1917. All were in civilian at
tire, and their departure was secret
to every one but the highest authori-
ties at Washington. After stopping
In London, Admiral Mayo and his
party went on the continent. 1t was
during this trip that his chief of staff,
Capt. o. p. jackson, was so badly In
jured In an automobile accident that
he had to be left behind at hospital
at Amiens.
Joined by Jelllcoe.
"On this trip with which this narra-
tive is concerned the admiral was ac-
companied by Capt. Ernest j. King,
U. S. N, who was then his assistant
chief of stuff, and commander Leigh
Noyes, u. S. N, his flag secretary.
Captain King is now at the War col
lege, having left the fleet during its
visit to New York. The party went
first to Boulogne and while there the
party was treated to an air raid.
Thence to Dunkirk, where they found
the place had been rnided the night
before, and very successfully, for the
first bombs destroyed the pumps and
fire apparatus, and the second lot set
! fire to the storehouse. which, with no
water and no equipment to extlnguish,
was destroyed. In this party were Adj
mirals JeIlicoe, Bacon and Oliver. join
ing Admiral Mayo, they took automo-
biles and went out to inspect the
troops. While on this errnnd Ger
man plane came overhead to make
! photographs of the work the bombing