The daily Alaska citizen., 1919-08-12

ALLY AL~ASkA Sl HEN, ried 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 raound the world to demonstrate in all lands the might and power of the American navy. they held their places with their more modern sisters turnout that memorable voyage. Greeted with re markable demonstrations in South America, the west coast of the United States. Australia. New Zealand, the islands of the Pacific, fa~ eastern ports and points in the Mediterran- can, the great fleet completed the most comprehensive cruise ever un- dertaken 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 nels of the navy yards to join the Oregon, Iowa, Massachusetts and In diana
 The entrance of the United States into the world war brot a 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 appliances were installed. new coats of war paint" were applied to their time-scarred sides and they were called out to join the fleet.
 The Oregon saw service on the west coast turnout the war as coast defense vessel and training ship for enlisted personnel. The Massachu- sets, Iowa, and Indiana were used for a time as station ships at New port. R l., Norfolk, Va, and New York respectively and later were or dered south to join the main fighting force which already ncIuded the Kearsarge, Kentucky and the other vessels of ancient fame. For the remainder of the war the historic old ships took part in the operations of the Atlantic fleet along the coast and rendered valuable service as training ships.
 After the armistice the Iowa, Mas sachusetts and Indiana were sent toI the navy yard at Philadelphia where their coIors were hauled down for the last time and they were con- signed to the graveyaTd of ships. The Oregon suffered a similar fate on the Pacific coast. The other ships of the old navy remainec temporarily on duty, most of them for use as troop transports, but they too will
 The Oregon has been offered to the State of Oregon for such use as the state may see fit to make of it as a training ship and naval historical museum, the only condition being that the commonwealth keep the old sea fighter in good condition as be fits a ime-honored pensioner of glori- ous history. The Iowa, Massachu- sets and Indiana will probably 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 for eyer in American naval annals, the Olympia, Admiral Dewey's flagship at Manila Bay, the New York, Rear Ad- miral Sampson's flagship and the Brooklyn, Rear Admiral Schley's flag ship, also saw service during the world war and are still on active duty in various parts of the world. It is probable that in a very few years ali of these historic ships will be placed out of commission for good. They will never, however, be scrapped in the opinion of naval officers.
 Miners and Operators-Th Farm