Army and Navy Review 1915 Panama-California Edition - Balboa Park

MISS MARY BENTON UNVEILING T H E MODEL OF T H E U. S. S. NORTH DAKOTA, A T
T H E PANAMA-CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION
One of tlie most interesting exhibits at the Panama-California Exposition is the
Great Navy Exhibit in the Commerce and Industries Building. The exhibit is under the
supervision of Commander Cleland Davis, U. S. Navy, who is also in charge of the Naval
Coal Depot at La Playa, the Radio Station on Point Lorna and also the high power Radio
Station now under construction at Chollas Heights near San Diego.
W ith only a limited appropriation for the purpose, a most interesting and instructive
exhibit has been collected and installed consisting of service torpedoes, diving
suits, Colts automatic machine guns, field pieces, fixed and loose ammunition (from the
little 30 cal. cartridges for the Springfield rifles up to the mighty twelve-inch, weighing
900 pounds), the latest model Springfield rifles and bayonets, models of the armored
cruiser San Diego and the dreadnaught “North Dakota,” from the Navy Department at
Washington, D. C., photographs of the old-time wooden ships of the Navy and of the
latest super-dreadnaughts, models of torpedo boat destroyers and beautiful and artistic
specimens of the handiwork of the enlisted men on the “San Diego.” The exhibit is
artistically decorated with the signal flags and ensigns of the Navy, the center piece
being formed of two beautiful “Old Glorys,” each 24x36 feet.
The publicity system of the Navy is located at the north end of the exhibit and many
thousand pieces of Navy literature have been forwarded free to prospective applicants
for enlistment in the Navy, by the parents and friends of boys at home who are unable
to come to the Exposition. The wonderful and increasing interest being taken in naval
affairs by people from the interior and all portions of the United States fully justifies
the Navy Department in maintaining this exhibit indefinitely, as much information regarding
the service and its opportunities is being disseminated by the courteous and
obliging chief Petty Officers detailed by the Navy Department for this purpose, as well
as by the literature distributed and mailed. Chief Yeoman Pitkin has added a
most interesting feature which excites great interest among all classes of visitors,
namely, his varied and wonderful collection of photographs and curiosities made and
collected by himself in his travels while in the Navy. Chief Watertender Harry Roadhouse
and Chief Gunner’s Mate William Mahu are the valued assistants of Chief Yoeman
Pitkin and this popular trio are certainly catering successfully to the needs of a
curious and interested public. The Jury of Awards of the Exposition have awarded a
“Gold Medal” to the U. S. Navy Exhibit and they also awarded a gold medal to Chief
Yeoman Pitkin for his large and comprehensive exhibit of photographs and curios.