US Marine Corps - The Black Vault

18 Amphibians Came To Conquer
However, the cruise was notable for one reason. From 7 June 1905, to
17 June 1905, the Practice Squadron held Joint Exercises, or “war maneu-
vers,” with the United States Army in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Leaving Solomon’s we started in to show up the Army. We captured
Baltimore, Washington and Fortress Monroe, the Army getting the decision,
most of the sleep and about all the grub.*8
This exercise fitted into Naval Academy drills which “Sometimes included
practice amphibious landings across the Severn River.” 47 Before they
finished their careers, these fledgling officers were to hold many more Joint
Exercises with the Army—a few in World War 1 and many in World War II.
The USS Atlanta, in which Midshipman Turner cruised until 15 July
190>, was commanded by Commander William F. Halsey, U. S. Navy (Class
of 1873), father of Fleet Admiral W. F. Halsey, U. S. Navy (Class of
1904) of World War 11 fame. Commander Halsey was the original “Bull”
Halsey—so named because of his bull throated voice and the frequent use
of that voice in directing his requirements to anyone topside on the 175 to
308 feet between the stem and stern of the USS Chesapeake, USS Atlanta, or
UN De~ A40izze~, all of which ships he commanded on Midshipmen Practice
Cruises.’s
The Atlanta was a 20-year-old protected cruiser of about 3,200 tons
displacement and 13 knots top speed which, although part of the Coastal
Squadron, had been laid up in reserve status at Annapolis during the six
months prior to the 1905 cruise. Notwithstanding the fact that she had been
the first of the llo~ton-class cruisers of the ‘