Evening star., 1924-09-14
On the Mayflower for a Week End
River Voyage With the President
BY DONALD EDWARD kEYHOE.

an object of public interest
ever since this vessel was
taken over by the Navy from
private owner during the
Spanish American War in which
struggle the Mayflower captured sew
eral prizes. The main interest, how
ever, was created when Congress au-
thorized the use of the Mayfower as
the Presidential yacht. From that
time until the present her decks have
been trod by the feet of many illus
trious personages, including, of
course. all the Presidents and their
families from Theodore Roosevelt to
Calvin Coolidge, and, in addition.
their cabinets. various congressional
and diplomatic officials. and a large
number Of others whose names are
il not the world.
The events which take place on
board this famous vessel, especially
when the President. his family and
guests are present, have always been
matters of curiosity and speculation
among the great mass of people
whose knowledge of the Presidents
yacht has been gained from glimpses
of its trim white hull as it glided
down the Potomac.
With the intention of securing a
the writer recently boarded the May
flower and interviewed the officers
whose privilege 1T is to serve SO close
to their mmander-inChief.
Except when in use by the Presi-
dent, or sailing under his orders, the
Mayflower is kept alongside the dock
at the Washington Navy Yard. The
routine there is much like that of any
other naval vessel, unless it be that
hp iS 10 lioh Of
brightwork and little more scrub
bing of the glistening white paint
work. so that the ship will be spic
and span in the event of an unex-
pected call from the White House.
AS a rule, the Mayfiower officers re-
ceive plenty of notice when a trip is
planned by the President, for Capt.
Adolphus Andrews, commanding off,
Ger of the ship. is also the Presidents
naval aide, and for this reason is in
touch with all plans of this nature.
When such notice comes, usually a
day in advance, the guest rooms are
prepared and are assigned according
to the wishes Of the President.
The Filipino mess attendants who
are attached to the ship are desig-
mated to serve certain guests and the
state dining room pantry Is stocked
for the cruise which is contemplated
dents party is expected steam is up
in the boilers and the whole vessel
seems to wear an air of expectancy.
X + +
THE Mayfiower is telephoned by
White House attaches at the mo-
ment the President and Mrs. Cool
idge leave. All the crew except those
on watch are then mustered on deck In
IL,
in blue and white, and these units are
inspected. The Navy Yard Band,
which is familiar to Washingtonians
both by concert and by radio, is sta
toned forward and the last moment
preparations are made so that the
ship may get under way without any
loss of time.
Within a few minutes after the
message from the White House the
President and. his party reach the
main gate of the navy yard, where
they are met by the commandant or
by the captain of the yard and are
escorted to the MayfIower. The COM
manding officer of the ship is noti-
fed when the Presidents car leaves
the entrance Of the yard, so that
there will be time to man the rail-"
This is q formation in which the
crew is formed in a continuous line
along the rail, facing outboard to-
ward the dock and standing at at
tention.
1t is most impressive moment
when the President arrives on the
dock. The guests embark first, fol-
lowed by Mrs. Coolidge and finally
by the President.
AS the President comes up the
gangway, eight enlisted men are
formed in two parallel ranks. facing
each other with enough space be-
tween for the President to pass. At
the same time the boatswain's mate
begins the shrill eerie piping which
is part Of the naval honors accorded
high officials.
When the President reaches the
deck of the ship the eight "sideboys"
salute together. Tho President turns
his head toward the stern and salutes,l