The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-07-18

assistance of the officers, to put the
ship in the perfect condition of man
of war. The officers and crew were
thoroughly exercised in every depart,
ment of ships duty until the ship was
in better order than anyone | had ever
the honor to sail in.
Everything about the ship was
either black or white. no bright work
am happy to say. The ship was per-
fectly clean and everything was in its
place. On the 18th day of August we
made all preparations for the recep-
ton of the d;gnitaries. The officers
were in full. dress. ranged on the quar-
fer deck; the yards were manned as
the steamer came near and all was in
perfect order and silence.
when the steamer reached the
gangway Lieutenant Wilson who was
to receive the President nj Annapolis,
informed the first lieutenant that the
President was not or board The COM
modore then ordered all the honors to
be paid to the secretary of the navy
which were intended for the President.
except the number of guns and the
substitution of the American ensign
at the main for the broad pennant.
'MIr. George f. BADGER. then as Sec
rotary of the navy. led the way and
was followed by Webster Crittenden
Granger. Bell. Senator Preston and nu-
merous other members of both houses
with their ladies. as we'll as other dis
tinguiShed citizens. When the COM
pany had all reached the deck of the
ship the steamer dropped astern and a
salute of II guns was fired and the
men ordered down. The officers all
came forward and were severally in
troduced to Mr. Badger by the commo-
dore.
Refreshments were furnished in the
port cabin and Mushroom and after
the retreat was beaten the officers de-
voted themselves to the company. TAX
ing pains to show them everything.
The people went TO dinner to the in
finite interest of our visitors, all of
whom were delighted with the fare as
i we'll as apparent comfort of Jack.
| When an hour had elapsed the drum
mer beat to quarters for action. In
| stantly all were flying in apparent con-
| fusion for arms. cartridge boxes. etc.
| and all of which delighted our WIS.,
| itors. In few minutes all was quiet
and silence pervaded the shop.
1.-The divisions had been reported
clear for action and the officers and
men stood in their places anyiouSly
waiting the order to fire. Presently
| the order was given in detail to load
and the firing commenced from each
deck in admired confusion.
Having tickled their fancy to the
amount of three rounds of blank car
tridges. We ceased firing and secured
| the guns. and while all hands were
called tn exercise sail for the amuse-
ment of the mobiles. small detach-
ment was busy in spreading tables on
the gundeck. gunroom and poop cabin.
| By the time exercise of sails was fin
| ished the collation. was ready and the
whole party divided and filled the
| tables and no doubt gratified their pal.
ates equally with their curiosity while
on board.
| "About four the steamer took the
party back to Annapolis. where an
extra train was in waiting to convey
the highly gratified party back to
Washington. They left us with the
assurance that their visit would be
highly advantageous to the service
The subsequent promotion Of many
old and meritorious lieutenants was
no doubt the consequence. The long
hoped-for grade of admiral will nc
doubt grow out of this visit"
| Further comment is made:
''In resuming these remarks have
deferred them long enough to insert
the gratifying fact that large promo
ton has taken place, larger than any
hitherto made in our little navy. Thir
teen port captains. fifty-two command
ers and fifty-four lieutenants have beer
made happy"
In recent years it was discovered
that the ravages of time were threat
ening to destroy "Old Tecumseh.
From time to time heroic efforts were
made to lengthen his life hut finally
it became apparent that he could mo-
stand much more exposure to the ele