The copper era and Morenci leader., 1919-07-11

chusetts, much disappointed at having missed the fight, gained revenge the next night when that vessel and the old battleship Texas engaged and sunk the Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes as that vessel attempted to escape from the harbor at Santiago.
 The Massachusetts was the flagship of the naval vessels in carge of con voying American troops from Cuba to Porto Rico for the Prto Rico cam paign. A few years ago the Texas, later renamed the San Marcos, was used as target for later battleships at Tangier Sound in Chesapeake Bay.
 After the Spanish American war the Oregon returned to the west coast where the glorious ship, then in the height of her fame, was received with tremendous demonstrations. She remained there on duty with the Pa cific fleet until decade ago, her use- fitness gone, she was placed in re- serve commission
 Once Pride of the Navy
 The Iowa, Massachusetts and Indi- ana participated in the homecoming of the victorious Atlantic fleet after the Spanish American war and re- mained on duty in home waters for many years. After the Oregon had been placed in reserve the three sister ships were for several years used as training vessels and conveyed the mid shipmen from the Naval Academy abroad each summer for a practice cruise. Finally, they too, were moor ed to thes docks in navy yards, ap- parently to rust away.
 l In the meantime a later class of ships had been launched to add to l the might of American naval power. The Kearsarge, Kentucky, Illionis, Wisconsin, Maine, Missouri and Ohio, launched between 1898 and 1901, form l ed the neuclus 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 years and in 1907,
 when the mighty United States fleet left New York for the historic cruise around the world to demonstrate in all lands the might and power of the American navy, they held their places
 with their more modern sisters
 throughout that memorable voyage.
 Greeted with remarkable demonstra-
 tions in South America, far eastern
 ports and points in the Mediterranean, the great fleet completed the most comprehensive cruise ever undertaken
 by so large a body of ships of war.
 On the return of the fleet to this
 country the older ships were forced
 into the background by the new navy and were sent to the back chan lnels of the navy yards to join the Ore lgon, Iowa, Massachusetts and Indiana
 The entrance of the United States into the world war brought demand for every ton of sea power the United States could command and again the old navy was called upon to defend
 the flag. All of the 12 old vessels
 were outfitted, modern fire control ap
 pliances were installed, new coats o1
 fwar paint were applied to theit time scared sides and they were cal lied out to join the fleet.
 Served In This War, Too
 The Oregon saw service on the wes coast throughout the war as coas : defense vessel and training ship fol enlisted personnel. The Massachu setts, Iowa and Indiana were used fo time as station ships at Newport R. l., Norfolk, and New York re pectively and later were ordered soutl to join the main fighting force whicl already included the Kearsarge Ken lucky and other vessels of ancien fame. For the remainder of the wa t the historic old ships took part in tn 5 operations of the Atlantic fleet alon the coast and rendered valuable serv ice as training ships.
 p Mrs. John Mason and family depart l. ed for the coast Friday morning