312 BANQUET. 



she had been gotten into comparatively shallow water. This large vessel was salvaged, re- 

 paired and placed in service again and did some good work before the ending of the war. 



One month later the Florence H. — a steamer bound south in convoy, carrying 3,200 tons 

 of explosives for the French Government — caught fire. Soon she was enveloped in a tremen- 

 dous sheet of fire. The Stewart headed over to the burning ship, accompanied by other vessels 

 of the escort. A few minutes afterwards, there was a series of explosions on the Florence 

 H., and great masses of flaming cases and wreckage were thrown out on, the water. The 

 cases began to explode, shooting flame and gas into the air. The entire surface of the sea 

 for a considerable space about the ship was not only afire but in eruption. In the midst of it 

 the Florence H. was aflame from stem to stern. Cries for help could be heard. The Stewart, 

 going at 17 knots, was the first on the scene. She pushed her way through the burning mass 

 to the rescue of the crew, in spite of the fact that on her stem were stored many depth 

 charges. For his splendid work the captain. Lieutenant Haislip, was given the Croix de 

 Guerre by the French, and two men of the crew who jumped overboard and rescued some 

 helpless men were given the Medal of Honor by our Government. The conduct of the offi- 

 cers and men of the escorting ships — especially the Stewart, which took the lead — on that 

 night made a new, separate and glorious tradition of its own for future members of the ser- 

 vice to emulate. 



On April 23, 1918, the Stewart got her submarine. This submarine was getting in po- 

 sition to attack the southboimd convoy which was being escorted by the Stewart and other 

 vessels — American and French. It was a fine piece of work. 



Then, after the war was over the Stewart returned to this country under her own power 

 and, I venture to say, in better condition than when she left for overseas. 



And so, when we go to sea on the splendid fighting ships of today which the talent of 

 you gentlemen has made possible, we have no doubts about the new and untried mechanism, 

 as to whether it will stand up under the stress of battle. We remember with pride how the 

 older ships which once were new and filled with improvements proved themselves, and feel 

 confident that these ships of today and of the future will bear themselves equally well. 



The President : — The destroyer whose performances Admiral Wilson has told you 

 about so graphically was built in the good city of New York — that ought to bring a response. 

 (There was only faint response.) We are nearly all from out of town, I see. 



Gentlemen, in, August, 1914, there happened a very important event which practically 

 saved civilization. Had the British fleet not been ready immediately to do its duty, Heaven 

 alone knows what would have happened. Not only was it ready then, but it increased in ef- 

 ficiency as weeks and months and years went on. To the unflinching devotion to duty, at 

 all times, in all weathers and under all circumstances, of the men who commanded and sensed 

 on those ships, civilization owes an inexpressible debt of gratitude. (Applause.) The heir 

 to the British throne is now visiting this country, as did his grandfather about sixty years 

 ago. We have with us at this table distinguished representatives of that Navy which ac- 



