Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 151, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 June 1919 — ADMIRAL MAYO UNDER SEVERE FIRE DURING THE NAVAL ATTACK ON OSTEND BY BRITISH [ARTICLE]

ADMIRAL MAYO UNDER SEVERE FIRE DURING THE NAVAL ATTACK ON OSTEND BY BRITISH

Commander of Atlantic Fleet Watched Shelling of Terror From Bridge of Broke—Admiral Made Many Trips to Europe During the War —Played an Important Part In Direction of Naval Part of War.

New York.—When Admiral” Henry T. Mayo, commander in chief Of the Atr untie fleet, went to Europe, as he did several times during the course of the he was known to ail on board, with the exception of the commanding offleer of the ship, as Mr. Wing. When Admiral Sims went over immediately following the declaration. of war in April, 1917, he was booked as “Mr. Richardson,” while Captain Babcock, who was Admiral Sims’ aid, was Mr. Robertson. It is probable that no officer In any of the allied navies played a more important part in the direction of the naval part of the war, after April. 1917, than did Admiral Mayo, the commander of the Atlantic fleet. It is also certain that no prominent officer appeared fewer times in the public print than did Admiral Mayo. The other day an officer of the fleet, who was close to Admiral Mayo during the war, and who knows the story of the ad- • xntrpi’q wnr Activities, told it for the first time. “I guess ft’s all right,” said this officer, “now that the ships of the navy are home and admirals’ flags are waving peacefully and calmly in the security of yards and docks, stories of experiences abroad are coming in with the drift of conversation in the wardroom and in the quarter deck. It is all over now, official reports have been made, the censor’s tightening grip has been loosened on his rubber stump, and even men bound down by-the ironclad rules of "Operations" are known to spin a yarn. “In all 'of the sea travel that time to ranking officers of,the United States navy nohe has attained the ocean crossings ■accomplished .by .Admiral ’Henry T. Mayo during the war. If the log of the writer is correct all of these voyages except two were made in the winter. His first trip across was In 1917 and was made under the most Secretive of movements.’ Again he went over with his entire staff, and return ing on the M a uretirnia etrriy last December was taken off-this ship on a tender in-Gravesend bay, hurried to his flagship, the V, S. S. Pennsylvania, In the New York navy yard, the following day sailing as the escort to President Wilson on his first trip abroad. Arriving at Brest he turned right around again and brought the fleet home. Then he went to Cuba, and returning visited New York for the Tistial April recreation period of the fleet. Inspects the Navies.

“It was while on his. second trip abroad that Admiral Mayo made probably the most extensive tour of inspection made by any commanding officer during the war. With members of his staff he visited not only the American and English navies, but also every branch of the allied forces in? Europe. It was on this trip that he was entertained by both the English and Italian kings. “It was this continued voyaging of the admiral which caused some one to remark at the Army and Navy club in Washington that. of alLthe oilicers in the navy. Admiral Mayo was continually on the wing, “ ‘And most appropriately,’ replied A civilian traveler on an ocean liner some months past, ‘for I once knew him as “Mr. Wing.’’ Which lets the secret out, for when In 1917 Admiral Mayo and his staff sailed most quietly and secretively on the St. Louis he was known as Mr. Wing. He wore the dress of a civilian, as did all of the members of his staff. Only the ship's commanding officer

knew of his presence—save one, a naval officer In charge of a gun crew, who saluted him. Whether or not the salute was returned with a wink or a frown Is not known. “Admiral Mayo and staff went over In July, 1917. All were In civilian attire, and their departure was a secret to every one but the highest authorltics at Washington. After stopping In London, Admiral Mayo and his party went on the continent. It was during this trip that his chief of staff, Capt. O. P. Jackson, was so badly Injured in an automobile accident that he had to be left behind at a hospital at Amiens. Joined by Jelllcoe. “On this trip with which this narrative is concerned the admiral was accompanied by Capt. ’Ernest J. King, U. S. N., who was then his assistant chief of staff, and commander Leigh .Noyes, U. S. N.. his flag secretary. Captain King Is now at the War collegcv .having, left .the- fleet during- its visit to New York. The party went first to Boulogne, and while there the party was treated to an air raid. Thence to Dunkirk, where they found the place had been raided the night before, and very successfully, for the first bombs destroyed .the pumps and lire., apparatus, and the-second lot set fire to the storehouse, which, with no water and no equipment to extinguish, was destroyed. In this party were Admirals Jelllcoe, Bacon and Oliver. Joining Admiral Mayo, they took automobiles and went out to inspect the troops. While on this errand a Ger*inan plane came overhead to make photographs of the work the bombing party had done the night before. No bombs were dropped by this unexpected vfsitor, but the troops’ along the road opened up a lively machine gun ■fire, all of which went ever.the heads of the ili.-!inguished inspection party and again brought them in the line of fire. “At this time the British navy was -operating against the. land guns at Ostend. Part of Its attack was made from the Terrpr, a monitor of the oldfashioned type, somewhat similar to our Amphitrite, which was anchored about fourteen miles from the shore batteries of the Germans. “Admiral Mayo, accompanying three English high officers, boarded the British destroyer Broke. It will be recalled that the Broke, Captain Evans commanding, at this time had a remarkable record of engagements with the U-boats. ,Encountering at one time six of the enemy submarines, she accounted for herself so skillfully and courageously that her log shows that at a rate of about two minutes apart she sank three of them. Had it not been for a shot temporarily disabling her engines, she would, from past performances, have continued to have made way with the remaining trio, As it was 1 , she escaped after bagging three and writing a glorious page in her log. "The Broke proceeded to where the Terror was anchored. An air patrol came out. Destroyers kept moving up and down before the monitor, throwing a smoke screen about her. The Broke, which at this time was flying Admiral Mayo's flag, joined the party. The admiral was on the bridge with Admiral Jellicoe and the destroyer’s skipper. On the forecastle were Commander Noyes and Commander Babcock of Admiral Sims’ staff. Watches From Bridge. “The German batteries opened fire at a 1 Umile range, began a lively shelling of the Terror, throwing , splashes

close to the Broke, and the other destroyers which kept moving up the line. Throughout the firing Admiral Mayo remained on the bridge, making a close observation of the enemy’s work. The attack finally ceased without any direct hits being made by the Germans. “Feelifig a little more at ease, the party returned, and taking British destroyers went. across the channel to Dover. The excitement all over, but still with the thrill of having been in the midst 'of the very lively engagement, Admiral Mayo and the party boarded the train for London. They had hardly got a fair start when the alarm for an air raid was sounded. Raiding parties coming from German territory were known not to waste any time on Dover and having flown over the land followed the railroad tracks to London. “All lights were extinguished, everything was down to a whisper, and the party was again under the guns of the enemy. Then came ‘all clear,’ and .the American visitors continued their journey to London with the real experience of having been under fire. “Admiral Mayo- has never, mentioned his experience of having been directly under the enemy’s guns when they were directed from land to forces at sea, but his own war diary no doubt carries a rather vivid series of reminiscences with some observations and perhaps some recommendations that would be Interesting to