[Inclosure.]
Mr. Darling to
Mr. Hay.
Navy Department,
Washington, January 2,
1903.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose, for your
information, a copy of part of a letter received from the commanding
officer of the U. S. S. Hartford relative to
a visit of that ship to Athens and Piræus, Greece.
Very respectfully,
Chas. H. Darling,
Acting Secretary.
[Subinclosure.]
Commander Reeder to Mr. Moody.
U.
S. S. Hartford,
At
sea, December 16,
1902.
Sir: I have the honor to report that I
arrived at Piræus, the seaport of Athens, on the 6th instant. On the
7th, with six officers, I proceeded to Athens and called upon Hon.
C. S. Francis, our minister plenipotentiary. On the 8th, the
minister called on board and was received with the customary honors.
On the 10th instant, with six officers, I was received at the palace
by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Greece, and had a most
pleasant reception, the King wearing an admiral’s uniform. Upon my
invitation, Their Majesties said they would be very glad to visit
the Hartford, as they both knew and
remembered Admiral Farragut, and it was arranged that their
reception should take place on board at 15.30 p.m., the 12th
instant.
2. Our ambassador to the Court of St. James, who was spending a few
days in Athens, having expressed a desire to see this famous old
ship, I invited him with his family, together with Minister and Mrs.
Francis, to take luncheon with me on the 11th instant. The
ambassador was received with the usual honors, and expressed himself
as very much pleased with his visit to the ship. On the 12th
instant, at 3.30 p.m., I received Their Majesties the King and
Queen, Crown Prince and Crown Princess, and Prince Ferdinand with
full honors; the ship being in full dress, yards manned, and usual
salutes fired. Their Majesties made a thorough inspection of the
ship and the crew at quarters, evincing the greatest interest in the
apprentices and all the details connected with their training and
life on board. They remained on board one hour and a half, and upon
leaving expressed their appreciation of their reception on board and
of having visited a ship so intimately connected with the history of
our country, together with the hope that they would see us again in
the port of Piraeus next year. Minister and Mrs. Francis were
present on board during the reception of Their Majesties.
3. Frequent liberty was given in Pirseus, and I arranged that all
apprentices should have twenty-four hours in Athens, in charge of
the chaplain. They enjoyed visiting all the historic places, and
behaved themselves in such commendable manner as to elicit favorable
notices from the daily papers of Athens and Piræus.
* * * * * * *
Very respectfully,
W. H. Reeder,
Commander, V. S. Navy,
Commanding.
