*
THE C H I L K 0 0 T POST
____Publi5heH _without expense _ to __the^_ U ._ Jiq^ernment
Volume 3
Friday
rfiUKUst
- 1923
Wo. 34
t
t
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A
Captain C.iV. Stidham of C3*ij.koot Barracks, master of the Harbor Boat,
’’Captain Janes B-, Fornano-V:;. is recipient of a letter from Admiral S.3. Mad
ison, comraander-aS-chief o* the Battle Fleet in the Pacific, commending the
local skipper and his crew for prompt ani valuable services in salvaging the'
destroyer '’Zeilen'1, which was recently damagei in a collision with the Navy
Transport, ’’Henderson.”
The letter, originally sent by A iniral Madison to Major General Mor
ton, reads as follows:
"On 27 July, 1923, the 3.3. ZEILIN, one of a number of destroyers es
corting the President of the Unhtei States on board the U.3.S. Henderson, col
lided with the HE IfJE! ISON d-rang a fog* .this accident occurred in Admiralty
Inlet to Puget Sound, near* Fort Casey*
"I am informed that almost immediately after the collision between the
Henderson and the Zeilin, the Array tug from Fort Casey arrived on the scene
and towed the ZEILIN alongside the wharf at lort Casey* In addition to this
prompt service in time of emergency, Lt. Col* Mitchell, C*A.C*, U*S*A., in
command of the Post, placed the Army barracks at the disposal of the crew of
the ZEILIN and personnally afforded the most courteous and hospitable treat
ment to the ship’s officers; he caused to be furnished for the use of the
Navy all the facilities available at his post and was personally present and
directed all kkx of this efficient service*
"The valuable service rendered ax dort Casey is so in accord witn tne
highest traditions of the U. 5.Army a^d i s so reminiscent of the splendid co
operation that existed between sister services during the late war that I re
quest that you infom those concerned of my appreciation of their efforts,
which contributed materially to the salvage of the -u Fli/I.'I»"
In forwarding this letter, Lt. Cole Mitchell writes as follows 1
"The Array tug mentioned in Paragraph 2 of this letter is the Cap
tain Janes romance" (C pi .Stidham, Master-)
"On 27 July, 1023, I was temporariiy in command of the Coast Defense.
About 10:00 a.in#, I directei a telephone message to Fort ’Torden to send to the
assistance of the U.StS. Z3ILIN any boat which might be available. Ihe For
nance responded immediately, took the 3BILIN in tow, ani laid her alongside
the Fort Gasey wharf. „ , „ , T
"It is my opinion, confirmed ov some of the Mary officers with wnom 1
spoke, that Captain itidhan’ s promptness and the masterly handling of his ves
sel contributed more to war 1 tlio salvaging of the ££ ».41.11 than any other act,
for just prior to the arrival of the Fornance i • had coan the Navy’s intention
to beach the ZFJLiM and tiK' ie act oyer 3 presort rad
ful attempt to do so, believing tv at fc he tiiu. tn;
otherwise.
"I request that the
predation and that a copy
ham’s efficiency records."
The above communications were forwarded to this post by the commander
of the coast defense of Puget Cound, and were received with great pleasure
by Major Maddox, Commanding this post.
*ew of the tornance
inis communi0atj.0 i
actually made an unsuccess
t she mild 3urely sink
informed of the Navy’s ap
filei with Captain Stid -