The Iron Leviathan Meets the Excursionists: A Day on Puget Sound

The battleship Iowa arrived at Port Orchard at 1 p.m. yesterday. She will soon go into the dry dock for repairs. She led San Francisco in company with the gunboat McCulloch. The large cruiser was sighted early this morning. She is here to await orders prior to conveying Senator Fairbanks to Alaska.

An excursion on the steamer Skagit Chief went down the Sound Sunday to meet the ship. Twenty-five persons representing the Chamber of Commerce and the city council were invited to go on an excursion and extend an invitation to the officers of the Iowa to visit Seattle and participate in Fourth of July celebrations. Five members of the city council were present: W. V. Richardson, J. A. James, R. P. Rice, Thomas Norton, and William Alexander, Mayor Hussey being absent.

The Skagit Chief left the dock at 1 o'clock and steamed down the Sound as far as possible. A sharp look-out was kept for the battleship. The atmosphere was thick and murky, which rendered it difficult to see vessels at a long distance. As the steamer rounded a point of land, however, a shout of 'There she comes' went up, and through the thick atmosphere appeared the Iowa, climbing over the sixth wave with a timorous motion, a thick column of black smoke pouring from her red funnels.

The excursion steamer was at once headed for the big destroyer, which was coming up the Sound at a moderate rate of speed under the impulse of one engine. When about 150 yards from the Iowa, the Skagit Chief rounded to, and Capt. Parker Mew threw blasts of his steam whistle as a salute to the big cruiser, which, after an interval of a few minutes, returned with three blasts from her whistle.

The Skagit Chief slowed down, and a boat containing Councilman Rice and several representatives of the U.S. rowed within hailing distance at the Iowa. The first words spoken were by the officer on watch on the Iowa's bridge, who inquired the object of the intercourse. Upon being informed, a loud roar burst from the throats of the 'sailors' who were congregated on the cruiser's decks like tiles on a comb of honey. In reply to the request that permission be granted the visitors to come on board the battleship, the answer was returned that the cruiser had orders to be at Port Orchard by evening, and that no time could be spared in attempting to pick them up, but that upon her arrival at the navy-yard, they would be cordially welcome.

The Iowa continued on her way to Port Orchard at a fair rate, the Skagit Chief following. The Chief, however, gradually overhauled the big battleship, and both vessels entered the harbor of Port Orchard about by one o'clock. As she ran in, she was loudly cheered by the excursionists, which the officer and crew of the Iowa acknowledged by waving their caps.

At 1 o'clock the Iowa was securely anchored, and a boat put out from the Skagit Chief containing President Richardson, Councilman James, President A. C. Jackson, of the Alaska Geographical Society. They were received cordially by Captain Terry in his cabin, where Mr. Richardson, on behalf of the council, extended the invitation of welcome, which Capt. Terry accepted. Mr. Jackson then invited Captain Terry and his officers to attend the banquet to be given the Fairbanks party on next Tuesday evening. This invitation the captain accepted.

The Iowa had an uneventful trip up the coast from San Francisco. She arrived at Port Orchard early yesterday morning, where she took on her pilot and then proceeded up the Sound.

At 7:30 o'clock the Skagit Chief left Port Orchard on her return trip to Seattle, arriving at 8 o'clock. The excursionists expressed themselves as being well pleased with the day's entertainment.