Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1921-12-16


is hoped for, great many ships which
have done good service in the Ameri-
can navy will go to the scrap heap,
but there are several ships which the
American people may know in advance
never will be scrapped.
1t is not probable that the confer
ence will result in the scrapping of
the wartime memories of the Amer
lean people, although some Of the agi-
tatorS here who "ducked their duty
in war and left their fellowmen to do
| their fighting for them, apparently
wish that all the memories of the past
might be wiped out. They are pre-
cious lot, these slackers. Apparently
there is not patriotic emotion in the
breast of any one of them, and yet
| Washington authorities seem to feel
compelled to tolerate their presence
and their pernicious pieketing actiy-
| tiles.
One expects to see some Gay, II
things go on as they are, q procession
marching along Pennsylvania avenue
| with a big banner at the head carry
| ing these words: "Scrap Old Iron
sides"-Old Ironsides being the frigate
Constitution which now lies in the
Charlestown (Mass.) navy yard, emp
| ty of other cargo but loaded with
glorious memories of sea victories Of
the past. The processionists would
march in vain, for the American peo-
pie presumably can be depended upon,
majority of them at least, to in
sist in the future, as they have in
sisted in the past, that the ship which
Oliver Wendell Holmes once saved
from the scrap heap by his great poem,
AYE tear her tattered ensign down"
shall not be sent to the limbo of for
getfulness.
The Constitution, therefore, unques-
! tionably is safe, and so is the Con-
stellation, which virtually is sister
ship of the Constitution, and which
sailed the seas for many years and on
several occasions met and defeated
the ships of the enemy.
Fate of the kearsarge.
1t was the governments intention
| to save for all time the old Kearsarge
| which fought the fight with the Ala
bama off Cherbourg, France, in the
days of the Civil war. The ship was
kept in commission and it formed a
part of the North Atlantic squadron
for a good many years. With other
ships of the squadron 1t sailed forth
one day in 1893 from Bar Harbor, Me-,
and that voyage probably was the last
time that the squadron of the old
timers ever was together.
They were full-rigged ships with
steam auxiliary and the sight of them
| with all sail set was one long to be
remembered. The Kearsarge was sent
on commission to the West Indies
with q party Of scientists on board.
On a perfectly clear, bright day it
ran on Roncador Reef, and 1t was i'm
possible to save her. There her bones
bleached.
The old Hartford, Farragut's ship
at Mobile bay, still is borne on the
navy register but it is out of COM
mission. 1t needs repairs badly, and
congress has been asked to add sum
to the next naval appropriation bill
, which will enable this old lighting
craft to be saved.
The body of the unknown American
/ soldier which was buried in Airing
| ton with such solemn ceremonies on
Armistice day was brought to the
United States on the Olympia, an old
time fighting vessel which was
Dewey'sl flagship at the battle Of
Manila bay. 1t was on the bridge OF
the Olympia that Dewey, turning to
/ lieutenant Commander Gridley said I:
you may fire when you are ready,
Mr.. Gridley." The Olympia is to be
saved.
Oregon Surely Will Be Saved.
The old Oregon never will be
scrapped unless the people lose their
patriotic memories and emotions.
There are men still comparatively
| young who remember the voyage Of
the oregon around Cape Horn when
she was on her way under forced
draft to make the east coast of the
United States in time to join the fleet
which later put the Spanish Admiral
! Cervera's battleships out of commits
sion in a running fight.
Admiral Charles E. Clark, who is
still living, although he is on the re
tired list, was the captain Of the Ore
gon ON that record breaking voyage.
While on the way south from San
Francisco to round the Horn, news
was received to the effect that Span
ish destroyers and torpedo boats were
on the lookout for the Oregon. This
news was read by Captain Clark to
the crew assembled on the forward
deck. They received the information
with roaring cheers and the ships
| band played "The Star-Spangled Ban
ner.'' The Oregon made its northern
port in safety and later did great
service In the fight at Santiago.
A Disadvantage.
| Governor Small of Illinois, apropos
of enormous life insurance policies,
! coid tho other dAy: