The New York herald., 1921-04-24
HARDING TO REVIEW
so FIGHTING SHIPS
cortinL.el from FirsL Paqe.

LOnUhNC0 from THSt fd1's
taneously furnished inspiring evidence
that American gunners can hit almost
anything whether II flies or floats.
Airplanes also played important parts
in scouting expeditions, and in battle
practice were able 10 pick up an 'en-
emy" miles away from the base Of the
main fleet. Torpedo boat desroyers
sent out 10 sea attempted TO evade these
aerial scouts but most OF their efforts
proved futile.
Squadron formation OF aerial fighters
was executed with such speed and per-
fection that Admiral Wilson, standing
on the deck of his flagship. with his
powerful sea glasses focused on the air
fighters, flashed more than one signal
Of commendation.
This feature OF the manoeuvres is all
most certain to occupy considerable
space in the report Admiral Wilson will
make to the department of the things
accomplished while the Atlantic fleet
was In Cuban waters. The destroyer di-
vision also took leading part in the
manoeuvres, and In addition to the
scouting work assigned them made good
records at "spotting" practice and long
range shooting with small guns. Hit
six inch sholl Is no small accomplish
ment. There were a number OF such
records made by the destroyer division
with the Atlantic fleet.
Speeding at the rate of thirty-five
miles an hour for as long as ten hours
at a time, new records for boats of their
class. is among the accomplishments of
the destroyers' division.
PLENTY o4 FINN For CaIInr.
During battle practice, when the fleet
was divided into two parts and make
believe battle occurred. the destroyers
played an important part in screening
the bigger sea fighters with great vol
umes Of black smoke.
1t was during one of these make
believe battles under the protection Of
the smoke screen that several larger
ships eluded the enemy and succeeded
in crossing the line of the ''home" fleet
at a point marked by the anchorage OF
supply ship.
But all was not work while the fleet
was In Cuban waters. The Government
took particular care TO see that every
man on every ship had all the pleasure
his heart desired. A regular pro-
grsamme of athletic events was arranged
before the fleet sailed from Hampton
Roads last January A shipload of base
balls, boxing gloves, books, candy and
other things needed to make men happy
was sent along with the fleet. There
were score OF pianos, graphophones
and other music making instruments in
the fleet. Uncle Sam footed the bill and
there was no scarcity of anything.
While the feet was at Guantanamo
two baseball leagues were organized.
There were eight teams in each league.
Only one team was allowed on any one
ship. Each league played series OF
games and the champions of each league
played a post-season series for the cham
pionship of the fleet.
The winners of baseball honors have
not yet been made public. There were
fifteen ring bouts for various titles
among the men of the fleet. The Utah
is said to have the honor of having the
heavyweight champion of the fleet His
name is Moran.
More than 1000 sailors young rockies.
who could not swim when the fleet left
America, were taught how to take care
Of themselves in the water. There were
swimming lessons twice a day for two
weeks. Glasses were formed on each
ship The men were taken ashore for
three days and allowed to wade out into
the balmy waters Of Guantanamo Bay.
Experts as Instructors.
Trained experts were assigned to each
group of ten men, and they took their
charges out into water up to their necks
the first day BY the fourth day they
were lined up on the deck of their ships
and told to jump overheard. If they
did not jump they were pushed. There
were plenty OF small boats and expert
swimmers waiting for them In the water.
III a rookie" was seen to falter, II he
showed the least signs Of being unable
to take care of himself In the water
there was swimming expert by his
side at once. 1t is said nobody ever
has been drowned during these swim
ming hours"
Boat races formed an interesting part
OF the pleasure programme. Thousands
or dollars were wagered by the men on
the outcome OF these races. Crews from
the Kansas. the New Hampshire and the
Michigan are said TO have distinguished
themselves as oarsmen.
The American Government at consid-
erable expense has constructed an
amusement casino at Guantanamo, and
here every night bands from various
ships cf the fleet gathered and played
while sailors danced with fair senoTitas
The wives of number OF naval officers
and some enlisted men went TO Guam
tanamo while the fleet was there, and
they. too enjoyed the pleasures.
Various athletic events held on the