Jackson County journal., 1919-07-04
Commander of Atlantic Fleet Watched Sheng Terror From BRIDGE
of Broke-AdmraI Made Many Trips to Europe D1rino
the War-PIayed an Important Part in Direc-
ton of Naval Part of War;

New York.-When Admiral Henry T.
Mayo, commander in chief of the At
lantlc fleet, 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 fleet. 1t is also
certain that no prominent officer ap-
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 ad-
mirars war activities, told 1t for the
first time.
~ 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
10 ranking officers of the United States
navy none has attained the ocean
crossings accomplished by Admiral
Henry T. Mayo during the war. If the
log Of the writer is correct oil 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
returning on the Mauretania early last
December was taken off this ship on a
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 righ'
around again and brought the flee
home. Then he went to Cuba, and re
turning visited New York for the usua
April recreation period of the fleet.
lnspects the Navies.
"It was while on his second tri]
abroad that Admiral Mayo made prob
ably the most extensive tour of in
spection made by any commanding OF
fcer during the war. With member
Of his staff he visited not only tn
American and English navies, but ais
every branch of the allied forces Il
Europe. 1t was on this trip that h
was entertained by both the Englis
and Italian kings.
1T was this continued voyaging Q
the admiral which caused some one t
remark at the Army and Navy club
Washington that Of all the officers
the navy Admiral Mayo was continue
ly on the wing.
"'And most appropriately replied
civilian traveller on an ocean line
some months past, for I once kne
him as "Mr. Wing
Which lets the secret out, for whe
In 1917 Admiral Mayo and his sta
sailed most quietly and secretively c
the st. Louis he was known as nj
Wing. He wore the dress Of civilia
as did all Of the members Of his sta
Only the ships commanding ofiic