THE WARSHIP BALTIMORE.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 22, 2 June 1906, Page 21

THE WARSHIP BALTIMORE.

Hie I nited States cruiser Baltimore, which is paying courtesy calls at I he principal ports of Austialasa, is now in Auckland. The visitor is a second-class cruiser, and is at present attached to the Asiatic station, with headquarters at Cavite, in Manila Bay, in the Philippines. She baa been on that station for upwards of 12 months, and was previously on duty in the Mediterranean station. Iler ollicers and men a few mouths ago were provided with some Amount of excitement during the riots at Shanghai. When the trouble started in Dec(‘inber last the Baltimore happened to be at Woosung, on the river immediately below the scene of the riots, and she was ordered to proceed at ouee to Shanghai. On arrival there marines and soldiers were landed, and they camped on the shore for several weeks. No real difficulty, however, was experienced, but there were disturbing elements, and it was a time when serious complications might have arisen at any moment. As soon as the Baltimore was relieved of this duty in January last she proceeded to Cavite, where she arrived on February 8. A very prominent part was played by the Baltimore in the historical engagement of Manila Bay, fought on May I, 1898. and which decided the result of I he Spanish-American war. The flagship of Commodore (now Admiral) Dewey on that occasion was the Olympia, a ml among other vessels composing the fleet were the third-class cruiser Boston, the small cruiser Raleigh, and the gunboats Concord and Petrel. This engagement —the first decisive battle in the war — was fought and won practically without any casualties on the American side, while the llv«*t of the Spaniards was completely destroyed or captured. The present officers of the Baltimore. h»>\\ \«*r, were not present at that engagement. After visiting N<*w Z •aland ports the Baliimore will proceed to Hobart and Melhournr. and possibly Adelaide and Albany. On her return journey t<» Philippines the Baltimore will make e.iHf

at Batavia and Saigon. Fbe is to be at anchor again at Cavite five month* from the date of starting her cruise. Commander N. Sargent is in command of the Baltimore, and associated with him are Executive Officer Lieutenant* Commander C. M. Stone; navigating and ordnance officer, Lieutenant Chester Wells; chief engineer, Lieutenant M. J. McCormack; watch officers, Lieutenant Cyrus R. Miller. Ensign M. H. Simons jun.. Ensign I*. W. Foote. Ensign F. W. Sterling, and En*ign 1). Lyons; surgeon, Dr. Raymond Spear; paymaster, G. VV. l x igman. Captain M. Babb is in command of the United States Marines, and the ship's company numbers upwards of 300 all told. i