AGUNNERABOA 
 THE YANKEE" 
 
 $& 
 
 FROM THE DIARY OF MQ 5 
 ON THE AFTER PORT GUN*
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 I
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE."
 
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 
 
 Acknowledgements are due to J. Harper Skillen, Stewart Flagg, 
 George Yardley, W. G. Wood, and E. Howe Stockwell for the use 
 of photographs ; and to C. B. Hayward and Allan H. Seaman for 
 the use of notes and diaries.
 
 THE NAVAL KESEHVES LEAVING NEW YORK GOING OFF IN THE 
 TUGBOAT TO MAN THE "YANKEE" (page 8).
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD 
 jT\ THE "YANKEE" 
 
 FROM THE DIARY OF NUMBER 
 FIVE OF THE AFTER PORT GUN 
 
 THE YARN OF THE CRUISE AND 
 FIGHTS OF THE NAVAL RE 
 SERVES IN THE SPANISH- 
 AMERICAN WAR 
 
 "WITH 
 INTRODUCTION 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 DOUBLEDAT Sc M9CLURE C9 
 1898
 
 COPYIIHiHT, IWtS, ItV 
 
 DOUBLED AY & McCLrilK Co. 
 
 EXPLANATION OF TITLE PAGE 
 
 The flogs on the title-page indicate the official number of the U. S. S. Yankee, 
 number .MnV It is read from the top down, as follows : 
 
 The red nd white flag Is called a "cornet": it Indicates that the flags following 
 it make an official ship s number. The flag below that is the regular Navy code 
 flag five, the next nine, the lowest two. 
 
 The long red, white and blue pennant is the commission pennant placed at the 
 topmast head when a vessel goes into commission: there It flies till the .-hip is 
 formally ont of commission.
 
 TO THE NAVAL RESERVE ORGANIZATIONS 
 
 THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES, WHO HAVE MADE SUCH 
 AN ENVIABLE RECORD DURING THE SPANISH-AMERICAN 
 WAR AND BEFORE WHOM SUCH A GLORIOUS FUTURE OPENS 
 
 THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY 
 DEDICATED
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 As the Commander-in-Chief of the American 
 Naval Squadron blockading Santiago and the 
 Cuban coast, the auxiliary cruiser " Yankee," 
 manned by the New York Naval Reserves, came 
 immediately under my observation, and it is a 
 pleasure for me to speak of the spirit and effi 
 ciency shown by the officers and crew during 
 their stay under my command. 
 
 The young men forming the ship s company of 
 the " Yankee " were called into service several 
 weeks prior to any other Naval Reserve bat 
 talion ; they came from all walks of civil life, 
 and their minds, devoted to peaceful pursuits, 
 were suddenly diverted to the needs and require 
 ments and the usages of naval routine. Not 
 withstanding this radical change, they have 
 made the name of their ship a household word 
 throughout the country, and have proved that 
 the average American, whether he be clerk or 
 physician, broker, lawyer, or merchant, can, on 
 the spur of the moment, prove a capable fighter
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 for his country even amid such strange and novel 
 surroundings as obtain in the naval service. 
 These young men have especially upheld the 
 American supremacy in the art of gunnery, and 
 have, on all occasions, proved brave and efficient. 
 The conclusion of the Spanish- American War 
 released them from their voluntarily assumed po 
 sitions in the regular navy, but when they re 
 turned to civil life they carried with them the 
 consciousness of duty well done at Santiago and 
 Cienfuegos and whenever their guns were used 
 in hostile action. In a word, the Naval Re 
 serves manning the " Yankee," in common with 
 those on board other vessels in the service, have 
 proved their aptitude for sea duty, and made ap 
 parent the wisdom of the Government in calling 
 them into active service. 
 
 W. T. SAMPSON, 
 Rear-Admiral, U. S. N. 
 
 U. 8. FLAGSHIP " NEW YOKK," 
 September 3, 1898.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEB PAGE 
 
 INTRODUCTION . . . . . ix 
 
 PREFACE 1 
 
 I. IN WHICH THE "YANKEE" GOES INTO COM 
 MISSION 4 
 
 II. IN WHICH WE GET UNDER WAY AT LAST . 17 
 
 III. IN WHICH THE "YANKEE" CRUISES FOR 
 
 PRIZES 80 
 
 IV. WE GET ORDERS TO GO SOUTH ... 43 
 V. A WILD GOOSE CHASE 57 
 
 VI. WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS .... 73 
 
 VII. WE ENTER THE THEATRE OF WAR " . .87 
 
 VIII. WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET .... 101 
 
 IX. CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION .... 115 
 
 X. WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA . . . 130 
 
 XI. A PERILOUS MOMENT 146 
 
 XII. IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE .... 161 
 
 XIII. A NARROW ESCAPE 176 
 
 XIV. WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT 192
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTBB PAOB 
 
 XV. COALING IN THE TROPICS .... 208 
 
 XVI. "REMEMBER THE FlSH " . . . .222 
 
 XVII. IN GOD S COUNTRY . . . . .237 
 XVIII. THE "YANKEE" ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO . 254 
 
 XIX. HOPE DEFERRED .269 
 
 XX. TAPS . 284 
 
 APPENDIX , 297 
 
 xii
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 FACING 
 PAGE 
 THE NAVAL RESERVES LEAVING NEW YOEK GOING 
 
 OFF IN THE TUGBOAT TO MAN THE "YANKEE" . 
 
 Frontispiece. 
 
 " THAT FAT MAN IN THE CELLAR WANTS ME TO SLEEP 
 
 IN A BAG" 19 
 
 " BEGAN TO SCRUB THE JUMPER AS IF IT WAS A 
 
 FLOOR" 36 
 
 "ALL HANDS OF THE WATCH TURNED TO AND 
 
 SCRUBBED DECKS " 36 
 
 "THE Km HAPPENED TO BE NEXT ME WHEN 
 
 STOPPING CLOTHES ON THE LINE" ... 38 
 
 "THE SIX-POUNDERS ON THE SPAR DECK BEGAN TO 
 
 BARK" 38 
 
 "THE GIG WAS LOWERED" 50 
 
 " THE MEN ON THE STAGES " 50 
 
 " THE YANKEE DROPPED HER ANCHOR OFF TOMP- 
 
 KINSVILLE " 77 
 
 "WITH A FRIGHTFUL ROAR THE DEFECTIVE CAR 
 TRIDGE EXPLODED " 82 
 
 xiii
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 FACING 
 PAGE 
 
 "STAND BY, MEN. BE READY FOR INSTANT ACTION " 100 
 
 " THE SIX-POUNDERS ON THE YANKEE S FORE 
 CASTLE JOINED IN THE CHORUS " . . . .112 
 
 " CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION !" 115 
 
 THE BOMBARDMENT OF MORRO CASTLE, SANTIAGO . 138 
 
 ON THE GUN DECK DURING THE BOMBARDMENT . 152 
 THE SEARCHLIGHT "SWEEPING BACK AND FORTH 
 
 ACROSS THE BLACK OF THE HORIZON " . . 175 
 "EVERY HOUR A SIGNAL BOY CAME RUNNING AFT 
 
 TO READ THE LOG " 185 
 
 " ALL HANDS ON THE CAT FALLS ! " . . . . 185 
 
 "THERE WAS TEMPORARY CONFUSION" . . . 303 
 
 " OUR APPEARANCE BEGGARED DESCRIPTION" . . 216 
 
 " TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE TIME TO CAULK OFF " 216 
 
 "THE FUSILLADE WAS LIVELY" .... 221 
 
 " SAW THE MEN LYING ROUND THE GUN IN HEAPS " 236 
 
 "THE DECKS WERE SWABBED THOROUGHLY" . . 236 
 
 " THE SPAR DECK WAS COVERED WITH RED SHELLAC " 240 
 " THE MARINES AIRED THEIR HAMMOCKS ON THE 
 
 FORECASTLE DECK" . . . . . 240 
 
 " THE BLANKETS AND MATTRESSES WKRE SPREAD FOR 
 
 AIRING" 244 
 
 "UNDER THE HOSE" ....... 244 
 
 xiv
 
 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 FACING 
 PAGE 
 " HE GOT HIS ORDERS FROM THE BRIDGE " . . 258 
 
 "ALL You MEN WHO WANT TO GO IN SWIMMING MAY 
 
 DO so " 258 
 
 " THE 13-iNCH CHARGE OF SMOKELESS POWDER WAS 
 
 LOWERED DOWN " 263 
 
 " THE ADMIRAL WENT OVER IN OUR GIG " . . 263 
 
 "EIGHT BELLS" 289 
 
 "SANG OUT AS HE HEAVED THE LEAD" . . . 289 
 MARCHING THROUGH CITY HALL PARK, NEW YORK 
 
 CITY 295 
 
 COLORED PLATES. 
 
 SIGNAL FLAGS SHOWING THE " YANKEE S " OFFICIAL 
 
 NUMBER Title-page. 
 
 WIGWAGGING AND NIGHT-SIGNALLING . . . .90 
 
 OFFICIAL FLAGS AND PENNANTS 180 
 
 THE NAVY CODE OF FLAG SIGNALS , 250 
 
 xv
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD 
 
 THE "YANKEE." 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 When the important events of the first part of 
 April, 1898, were shaping themselves toward an 
 inevitable conflict between Spain and the United 
 States of America, the authorities at Washington 
 began to perfect their plans for an immediate in 
 crease of the navy. The Naval Militia of the 
 country, of whom Assistant Secretary Theodore 
 Roosevelt had a very high opinion, came in for 
 early attention, and word was sent to the differ 
 ent States to prepare for sendee. Several days 
 previous to the actual outbreak of war, messages 
 were forwarded from the Naval Reserve receiv 
 ing ship " New Hampshire," lying at a dock in 
 the East River, to a number of young men, mem 
 bers of the Naval Militia, residing in New York 
 City. These summons contained simply a re- 
 1
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 quest to report at once on board the ship, but 
 they resulted in a most curious and interesting 
 transformation in fact, they formed the foun 
 dation of a chain of events which was destined to 
 amalgamate into a common grade that of a 
 naval bluejacket several hundred young Amer 
 icans, who, in their natural characters, were sons 
 of rich men and of men of moderate means, of 
 doctors and lawyers and brokers and clerks and 
 bookkeepers, and of all sorts and conditions of 
 respectable citizens. Patriotism was the incen 
 tive which called these youths of various stations 
 together, and sheer love of country and the cour 
 age to fight her battles formed the cement which 
 bound them cheerfully to their duty. To fight 
 for pay and as a profession is one thing; to offer 
 your freedom and your life, to endure discom 
 forts and actual hardships, to risk health in a 
 fever-stricken foreign country, and to sacrifice 
 settled ambition for mere patriotism, is another. 
 It is the latter which the Volunteer Naval Re 
 serve of the United States has done, and every 
 American citizen with a drop of honest blood in 
 his veins will surely give the organization the 
 praise it so richly deserves. 
 
 On the third of May, while Cervera s where 
 abouts was still an absorbing mystery, the 
 " Yankee " (an auxiliary cruiser, converted from 
 2
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 the steamship " El Norte ") went into commis 
 sion at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. She was 
 manned entirely, save for the captain, executive 
 officer, navigator, paymaster, and the marine 
 guard, by members of the New York State 
 Naval Militia. For four months she remained 
 in commission, weaving the threads of a glorious 
 record which will ever redound to the credit and 
 honor of the Volunteer Naval Reserve. Truth 
 is ever stranger than fiction, and the simple story 
 of the boys of the gallant " Yankee," as set forth 
 in the diary of Number Five of the After Port 
 Gun, should appeal to the heart of every reader 
 in this great country of ours a country made 
 grander and better and more potent in the 
 world s history by the achievements of such 
 brave lads as those who formed the crew of the 
 " Yankee." Number Five s diary was written 
 simply for his family, but the fame gained by 
 the " Yankee " leads the publishers to believe 
 that it will prove interesting to Americans far 
 and wide. It is set forth in narrative form, but 
 the incidents and the straightforward, simple, 
 and sailor-like words are those of the actual par 
 ticipant. This is his story.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 IN WHICH THE "YANKEE" GOES INTO 
 COMMISSION. 
 
 U. 8. 8. "NEW HAMPSHIRE," 
 
 April 26, 1898. 
 
 Report at " New Hampshire " immediately, ready to 
 go on board auxiliary cruiser "Yankee." 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 JOHN H. BARNARD, 
 
 Lieut, commanding 3d Division, 
 
 N. T. State Naval Militia. 
 
 It was this telegram, brief but extremely com 
 prehensive, received early on the morning of the 
 twenty-sixth of April, which sent me post-haste 
 to the old receiving-ship " New Hampshire," 
 moored at the end of an East River dock. The 
 telegram had been anxiously expected for several 
 days by the members of the First Battalion, and 
 when I reached the ship I found the decks 
 thronged w^th excited groups. 
 
 War was a certainty, and the very air was 
 filled with rumors. The prevailing topic was 
 discussed from every point of view, and within 
 4
 
 THE " YANKEE " GOES INTO COMMISSION. 
 
 sixty seconds as many destinations had been 
 picked out for the " Yankee." It was variously 
 reported that she was to go to Havana, to Manila, 
 to Porto Rico, and even to Spain. This last 
 rumor brought shouts of laughter, and " Stump," 
 as we termed him, a well-known young insurance 
 broker of Xew York, remarked, in his character 
 istic way : 
 
 " It probably won t be this particular Yan 
 kee, boys, that will go there, but there ll be 
 others." 
 
 There was much cleaning of kits and furbish 
 ing of cutlasses. We knew that we would not 
 take the latter with us, but then it was practice, 
 and we felt anxious to do something martial as 
 a relief to our excitement. There was a di 
 version shortly before noon, when the " old 
 man " (the captain) appeared with a number of 
 official-looking papers in his hands. 
 
 " He s got the orders," whispered little Potter, 
 our latest recruit. " Whoop ! we ll get away 
 this morning, sure." 
 
 The whistle of the bosun s mate on watch 
 echoed shrilly about the decks a few moments 
 later. 
 
 " Now, d ye hear there," he shouted, hoarsely, 
 "you will break out mess gear and get your 
 selves ready for messing aboard ship." 
 5
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 That did not sound as if we were destined to 
 see our new vessel put into commission Y er J 
 soon, and there was some grumbling, but the 
 boys fell to work with good grace, and we were 
 soon preparing for our stay aboard the old frig 
 ate. The officer of the deck was lenient, how 
 ever, and the majority of the crew secured per 
 mission to sleep at home that night. 
 
 The following Monday, on reporting on board 
 the " New Hampshire," we learned that the en 
 tire detail selected to man the " Yankee " would 
 proceed to that ship shortly after eight bells. 
 Word was passed that our enlistment papers 
 for we were to regularly enter Uncle Sam s 
 naval service would be made out, and that oiir 
 freedom and liberty, as some of the boys put it, 
 would cease from that hour. The latter state 
 ment made little impression. We had entered 
 the Naval Reserves for business, if business was 
 required, and we expected hardships as well as 
 fun. 
 
 A navy-yard tug, sent by the Commandant, 
 steamed alongside at two o clock, and the com 
 pany was marched on board without delay. The 
 boys were eager to enter on this, their first real 
 detail, and, in the rush to gain the deck of the 
 tug, young Potter slipped from the rail and fell 
 with a mighty splash into the water. " Man 
 G
 
 THE " YANKEE " GOES INTO COMMISSION. 
 
 overboard! " bawled his nearest mate, and " Man 
 overboard ! " echoed one hundred and fifty 
 voices. There was a scramble for the side, and 
 the tug s deck hand, assisted by several of our 
 fellows, fished Potter from the river with a boat 
 hook. 
 
 " Hereafter, please ask permission before you 
 leave the ship," facetiously remarked the officer 
 in charge. 
 
 " Humph ! as if I meant to do it," grunted 
 Potter, wringing the East River from his duck 
 shirt. 
 
 We caught our first view of the " Yankee " as 
 we steamed past the cob dock at the yard. We 
 were favorably impressed at once. She is a fine- 
 looking ship, large, roomy, and comfortable, with 
 lines which show that she is built for speed. As 
 her record is twenty knots an hour, the latter 
 promise is carried out. The " Yankee " was 
 formerly the " El ISTorte," one of the Morgan 
 Line s crack ships, and, when it was found neces 
 sary to increase the navy, she was purchased, 
 together with other vessels of the same company, 
 and ordered converted into an auxiliary cruiser. 
 Gun mounts were placed in the cargo ports, 
 beams strengthened, magazines inserted, and 
 interior arrangements made to accommodate a 
 large crew. The " Yankee s " tonnage is 4,695 
 7
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 tons; length, 408 feet; beam, 48 feet. The bat 
 tery carried consists of ten five-inch quick-firing 
 breechloaders, six six-pounders, and two Colt 
 automatic guns. After events proved conclu 
 sively the efficiency of the " Yankee s " arma 
 ment. 
 
 The detail was taken alongside the " Yankee " 
 by the tug. We had our first meeting with our 
 new captain, Commander W. H. Brownson, of 
 the regular navy. His appearance and his kindly 
 greeting bore out the reputation he holds in the 
 service as a gentleman and a capable officer. It is 
 well to say right here that Commander Brown- 
 son, although a strict disciplinarian, was ever fair 
 and just in his treatment of the crew. Our 
 pedigrees were taken for the enlistment papers, 
 and the questions asked us in regard to our ages, 
 occupations, etc., proved that the Government 
 requires the family history of its fighters. The 
 following day each man was subjected to a rigid 
 physical examination. The latter ceremony is 
 so thorough that a man needs to be perfect to 
 have the honor of wearing the blue shirt. Per 
 sonally, when I finally emerged from the exam 
 ining room, I felt that my teeth were all wrong, 
 my eyes crossed, my heart a wreck, and that I 
 was not only a physical ruin, but a gibbering 
 idiot as well. That I really passed the examina- 
 8
 
 THE " YANKEE " GOES INTO COMMISSION. 
 
 tion successfully was no fault of the naval sur 
 geon and his assistants. 
 
 After the medical department had finished 
 with us, the enlistment papers were completed, 
 and we became full-fledged " Jackies," as 
 " Stump " termed it. The members of the bat 
 talion were rated as landsmen, ordinary seamen, 
 and able-bodied seamen, according to their skill, 
 and a number of men, hastily enlisted for the 
 purpose, were made machinists, firemen, coal- 
 passers, painters, and carpenters. Some of these 
 had seen service in the regular navy, and they 
 were visibly horny-handed sons of toil. One 
 Irishman, whose brogue was painful, looked with 
 something very like contempt on the Naval Re 
 serve sailors. 
 
 " Uncle Sam is a queer bird," several of us 
 overheard him remark to a mate. " He do be 
 making a picnic av this war wid his pleasure 
 boats an his crew av pretty b yes. If we iver 
 tackle the Spaniards, there ll be many a mama s 
 baby on board this hooker cryin for home, 
 swate home." 
 
 " Hod," a six-footer, who played quarter-back 
 on a famous team not long ago, took out his note 
 book and made an entry. 
 
 " I ll spot that fellow and make him eat his 
 words before we get into deep water," he said, 
 9
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 quietly. He was not the only one to make that 
 vow, and it was plain that Burke, the Irishman, 
 had trouble in store for him. 
 
 On our return to the " New Hampshire," the 
 battalion was placed under the regular ship s 
 routine. All the men were divided into two 
 watches, starboard and port. The port watch, 
 for instance, goes on duty at eight bells in the 
 morning, stands four hours, and is then relieved 
 by the starboard watch ; this routine continues 
 day and night, except from four until eight in 
 the afternoon, when occur the dog watches, two 
 of them, two hours long each, stood by the port 
 and starboard men respectively. The dog 
 watches are necessary to secure a change in the 
 hours of duty for each watch. 
 
 From now on we were given a taste of the 
 actual work of the service. Details were made 
 up each morning and sent to the " Yankee " to 
 assist in getting her in readiness for service. One 
 of the first duties was to carry on board and stow 
 away in the hold one hundred kegs of mess pork. 
 As each keg contained one hundred pounds, the 
 task was not easy for men unaccustomed to 
 manual labor. Still there was no complaint. 
 In fact, the only growling heard so far had come 
 from some of the men who had seen service in 
 the regular navy. Burke, the fireman, de- 
 10
 
 THE " YANKEE " GOES INTO COMMISSION. 
 
 claimed loudly against the " shoe leather an de 
 terrer-cotter hard-tack which they do be tryin 
 to feed to honest workers. As for the slops they 
 call coffee, Oi wouldn t give it to an Orange 
 man s pig ! " 
 
 The food served out on board the " New 
 Hampshire " being the usual Government ra 
 tion of salt-horse, coffee, and hard-tack was 
 vastly different from that to which the majority 
 of the boys were accustomed, but it was accepted 
 with the good grace displayed by the members 
 of the Reserve on every occasion. All these 
 little discomforts are, as the Navigator (a com 
 missioned officer of the regular navy) remarked, 
 " merely incidental to the service." 
 
 As the time approached when we were to 
 board the " Yankee " for good, the ordinary 
 watches were abandoned, and only anchor 
 watches kept. An anchor watch is a detail of 
 five or six men, selected from the different parts 
 of the ship, who do duty, really, as watchmen, 
 during the night. Two days before the order 
 arrived to leave the " New Hampshire," it was 
 found necessary to station several men, armed 
 with guns and fixed bayonets, on the dock near 
 the ship, to stop men from taking the " hawser 
 route " ashore. The firemen and coal-passers 
 had been refused shore leave, or liberty, as it is 
 11
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "7ANKEE." 
 
 called, because of their habit of getting intoxi 
 cated, pawning their uniforms, and loitering 
 ashore. Truth to tell, the guns and bayonets 
 had little effect, as the offenders were old in the 
 business. 
 
 The second night after the order was put in 
 force it happened that " Hod," who was rated as 
 an able seaman, was on duty with gun and bayo 
 net on that end of the dock opposite the fore 
 castle. He had just relieved the man whose 
 watch ended at midnight, and he stood thought 
 fully watching the twinkling lights on the op 
 posite side of the mighty East River. There was 
 so much to occupy his mind in a situation 
 which was both charming and fascinating that 
 he remained motionless for several minutes. 
 Presently there came a slight, scraping sound, 
 and the end of a rope struck the dock almost at 
 his feet. 
 
 Glancing up, " Hod " saw a man s figure, 
 dimly outlined in the gloom, slip from the top 
 gallant forecastle and quickly descend the rope. 
 It was evidently one of the men taking 
 " French " leave, and it was the sentry s duty to 
 give the alarm at once. But " Hod " had other 
 views in this particular case. Hastily stepping 
 back into the shadows, he laid his gun upon the 
 floor of the dock, and rolled up his sleeves with 
 12
 
 THE " YANKEE " GOES INTO COMMISSION. 
 
 an air that meant business. The next moment 
 the absconder dropped from the rope. 
 
 As he prepared to slip past the ship a sinewy 
 hand was placed upon his shoulder, and another 
 equally sinewy caught him by the collar. 
 
 " Burke, suppose you return aboard ship," 
 said " Hod," quietly. " You are not going to 
 hit the Bowery this time." 
 
 The Irish fireman attempted to wrench him 
 self free, then he struck out at " Hod " with all 
 the force of his right arm. The quarter-back s 
 practice on the field came into play, and the col 
 lege graduate tackled his opponent in the latest 
 approved style. The struggle was short and de 
 cisive, and it resulted in Burke declaring his 
 willingness to return to the ship. 
 
 " The next time you try to size up a new ship 
 mate be sure you are on to his curves," remarked 
 "Hod," as he escorted his prisoner over the gang 
 way. " You will find some of mama s pretty 
 boys rather tough nuts to crack." 
 
 The day following this little episode found the 
 members of the State Naval Militia detailed to 
 form the crew of the " Yankee " in full posses 
 sion of the cruiser which they were to sail to 
 glory or defeat in defense of their country. The 
 ship s company, two hundred and twenty-five in 
 all, boarded the auxiliary warship without cere- 
 13
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 mony, and were speedily set to work hoisting in 
 provisions, removing to the yard all unnecessary 
 stuff with which the ship was littered, and get 
 ting her generally in condition for sailing. The 
 work was extremely hard, but it was done with 
 out demur. 
 
 A naval officer attached to the yard stood near 
 me at one time during the afternoon, and I 
 heard him remark to a visitor who had accom 
 panied him on board : " You will find an object 
 lesson in this scene. These young men working 
 here at the hardest kind of manual labor, buck 
 ling down cheerfully to dirty jobs, were, a few 
 days ago, living in luxury in the best homes in 
 New York City. The older men were clerks, 
 or lawyers, or physicians, and not one of them 
 had ever stained his hands with toil. Look at 
 them now." 
 
 Unconsciously I glanced across the deck to 
 where three men were hauling upon a whip, or 
 block-and- tackle, which was being used to hoist 
 huge boxes and casks of provisions on board. 
 The three men were working sturdily, and it 
 would have been difficult to recognize in them, 
 with their grimy faces and soiled duck uniforms, 
 a doctor, a bank cashier, and a man-about-town 
 well known in New York City. Near the for 
 ward hatch, industriously swabbing the deck, 
 14
 
 THE " YANKEE " GOES INTO COMMISSION. 
 
 was a black-haired youth whose father helps to 
 control some of the largest moves on Change. 
 Scattered about the gangway were others, some 
 painting, some rolling barrels, and a number en 
 gaged in whipping in heavy boxes of ammuni 
 tion. They were all cheerful, and the decks re 
 sounded with merry chatter and whistling and 
 song. 
 
 I turned to myself. My hands were brown 
 and smeared and bruised. My uniform, once 
 white, was streaked and stained with tar. I 
 wore shoes innocent of blacking and made after 
 a pattern much admired among navvies. I had 
 an individual ache in every bone of my body, 
 and I was hungry and was compelled to look for 
 ward to a dinner of odorous salt-horse, hard 
 bread, and " ennuied " coffee, but I was happy 
 I had to admit that. Perhaps it was the novelty 
 of the situation, perhaps it was something else, 
 but the fact remained that I would not have left 
 the ship or given up the idea of going on the 
 cruise for a good deal. 
 
 We worked hard all day, and, when mess gear 
 was piped for supper, we could hardly repress a 
 sigh of heartfelt relief. The food, bad as it was, 
 was welcome, and when I reluctantly swung 
 away from the mess table I felt much better. 
 At six bells, shortly before hammocks were 
 15
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 piped down, the "striker," or helper, for our 
 mess cook, said mysteriously : 
 
 " Don t turn in early, Russ, there s going to be 
 a little fun. Bill and Stump have young 
 Potter on a string. It will be great." 
 
 16
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 IN WHICH WE GET UNDER WAY AT LAST. 
 
 The hint of possible fun that night was suf 
 ficient to keep me alert. " All work and no play, 
 etc.," was part of our code aboard the "Yankee," 
 and goodness knows we had worked hard enough 
 getting the ship ready for sailing to be permitted 
 a little sport. Then, again, any badgering of 
 young Potter would be innocent amusement, so 
 I laid by and waited, keeping my eye on " Bill." 
 
 " Bill," by the way, was the captain of our 
 mess, a jolly good fellow, popular, and always in 
 evidence when there was any skylarking on 
 foot. 
 
 Hammocks were piped down at seven bells 
 (7:30 p.m.), and, as it was our first experience 
 on board the " Yankee," there was some con 
 fusion. A number of new recruits had joined 
 that afternoon, and their efforts to master the 
 mysteries of the sailor s sleeping outfit were 
 amusing. A naval hammock differs largely from 
 those used ashore. A hammock aboard ship is 
 17
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 of canvas, seven feet long, with holes a few 
 inches apart at each end, through which are 
 reeved pieces of strong cord. The latter are 
 called clews, and they meet at an iron ring, 
 which is attached to the hooks in the carline 
 beams when the hammock is in position for use. 
 When a hammock is properly slung it hangs 
 almost straight, with very little sagging. To get 
 in properly, one grasps two hoops near the head, 
 and, with an agile spring, throws body and feet 
 into the canvas bed. This requires a knack, and 
 is learned only after a more or less painful 
 experience. A three-inch mattress and two 
 blankets go with each outfit. For sheets a bag- 
 like mattress cover is used, and, in lieu of the 
 downy pillows of home, the sailor must be con 
 tent with his shoes rolled up inside his trousers 
 or flannel shirt. "With it all, however, the naval 
 hammock is very comfortable. There is the ad 
 vantage of being able to not only wash your 
 blankets and sheets, but your bed as well. Once 
 each month clean hammocks are issued and the 
 old ones scrubbed. 
 
 While I was below, rigging up my clews, I saw 
 a commotion on the other side of the deck. The 
 master-at-arms was expostulating with one of the 
 new recruits who had reported that afternoon. 
 Suddenly the latter called out, angrily, " I ll see 
 18
 
 THAT FAT MAN IN THE CELLAR WANTS ME TO SLEEP IN A BAG 
 
 (page 19).
 
 WE GET UNDER WAY AT LAST. 
 
 if I have to, durn you ! " and bolted for the up 
 per deck. The master-at-arms followed him at 
 once, and several of us followed the master-at- 
 arms to see the excitement. We reached the 
 quarter-deck just as the recruit came to a stop in 
 front of the officer on watch. 
 
 " What s the matter with you ? " demanded 
 the latter, curtly. " What s up ? " 
 
 " Th-th-that m-m-man down in the the cel 
 lar wants me to sleep in a bag, durn him," 
 gasped the recruit, waving his lanky arms, " and 
 I won t do it for him or no one else." 
 
 " Cellar ? " Then the officer shouted with 
 laughter. 
 
 The recruit was sent back to the " New Hamp 
 shire " next day, but it was long before the mas 
 ter-at-arms was known by any other name or title 
 than " the man in the cellar." 
 
 A few minutes before tattoo, " Bill " arid 
 " Stump " came up and intimated by signs that 
 I was to accompany them to the forward part of 
 the berth deck. On reaching the extreme end, 
 which was occupied by an immense hawser reel, 
 " Bill " indicated a hammock which was swing 
 ing with the forward clews directly above the 
 great spool, or reel. 
 
 " If young Potter doesn t think this old 
 hooker is haunted I ll never play another 
 
 19
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 joke," he chuckled. " Get in and show him, 
 Stump. " 
 
 The latter grasped two hooks, gave himself a 
 swing, landed in the hammock, and in an instant 
 struck the deck with a thump, the hammock un 
 der him. As he rolled out I rubbed my eyes. 
 The hammock had swiftly returned to its former 
 position ! 
 
 " It isn t hoodooed," grinned " Bill." " Just 
 look here." 
 
 He hauled up on the head clews and presently 
 a five-inch shell appeared above the top of the 
 reel. The shell was fastened to the end of the 
 hammock lashing, at the other end of which was 
 attached the ring. The lashing led over the 
 hook, and the weight of the shell was just suf 
 ficient to keep the hammock in its place. As I 
 finished inspecting the clever contrivance, the 
 boatswain s mate piped tattoo. 
 
 We hurried away to watch from a distance. 
 Laughing and singing, the fellows trooped down 
 to prepare for turning in ; the hard labor of the 
 day had not dampened their spirits. The deck 
 soon presented an animated scene. A number 
 of us had slept long enough on board the " New 
 Hampshire " to become accustomed to man-o - 
 war style, but the new recruits were like so many 
 cats in a strange garret. They stood about, 
 20
 
 WE GET UNDER WA7 AT LAST. 
 
 glancing doubtfully at their hammocks and then 
 at their clothes. They did not know just what 
 to do with either. 
 
 " How do you get into the thing, I wonder ? " 
 asked the fellow from Harlem, eyeing his sus 
 pended bed. 
 
 " Borrow the navigator s step-ladder," sug 
 gested the coxs n of the gig. " He keeps it in 
 the chart room." 
 
 The greatest difficulty was the disposal of our 
 clothes. There were no wardrobes nor closets 
 nor convenient hooks, and it was strictly against 
 the rule to leave anything lying around decks. 
 The question was solved presently by an old 
 naval sailor, who calmly made a neat roll of his 
 duck jumper and trousers and another of his 
 shoes and shirt. The latter he tucked into his 
 clews at the foot, and the other he used as a pil 
 low. We thanked our lucky stars we did not 
 have creased trousers, smooth coats, vests, white 
 shirts, collars, and neckties to dispose of. 
 
 In due time young Potter, who had stayed on 
 deck viewing the scenery until chased by the 
 corporal of the guard, came down and made for 
 his hammock. Four dozen pairs of eyes watched 
 him with delightful anticipation. Unconscious 
 of the attention he was attracting, he doffed his 
 clothes and brought out something from his 
 21
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 black bag which proved to be a night-shirt ! If 
 there was any compunction in regard to the trick 
 intended for him, it instantly vanished. A 
 sailor with a night-shirt was legitimate prey. 
 
 -Whistling softly, the victim prepared himself 
 for the swing, grasped the hooks, and then, with 
 good momentum, landed in the hammock. 
 There was a swish, a distinct thud, and young 
 Potter rolled out upon the deck with a gasp of 
 amazement. Turning as quickly as he could, 
 he looked up and saw the hammock swinging in 
 its proper place. It was physical labor for us to 
 keep from howling with glee at the expression on 
 his face. He glanced sheepishly about to see if 
 his catastrophe had been observed; then he made 
 another attempt. This time a heave of the ship 
 sent him even more quickly to the deck, and he 
 landed with a bump that could have been heard 
 in the cabin. He was fighting mad when he 
 again scrambled to his feet. 
 
 " I can lick the lubber who threw me out," he 
 shouted. 
 
 " Stop that talking," came from the master-at- 
 arms corner. " Turn in and keep quiet about 
 the decks." 
 
 Potter grumbled something under his breath, 
 then he made a careful search in the vicinity of 
 his hammock. It was worth a dollar admission 
 22
 
 WE GET UNDER WAY AT LAST. 
 
 to see him poke about with the end of a broom. 
 He found nothing suspicious, and proceeded to 
 try again. Very gingerly he grasped the hooks, 
 and he experimented with one foot before trust 
 ing his whole weight to the hammock. The sec 
 ond he released his hold of the hooks he fell, and 
 the fall was even greater than before. 
 
 " The blamed thing is spooky ! " he howled, 
 as he gathered himself together. He made a 
 quick run for the ladder leading on deck, but 
 was stopped by the master-at-arms, who de 
 manded an explanation. While they were argu 
 ing, " Bill " and I quickly fixed the hammock, 
 casting off the shell and concealing it behind a 
 black bag. We had barely finished when the 
 chief petty officer came up and examined the 
 clews. He tested them by applying his own 
 weight, then gave the crestfallen and astounded 
 Potter a few terse words of advice about eating 
 too much supper. Five minutes later the deck 
 was quiet. 
 
 The hard labor of the previous day such 
 labor as hauling and pulling, handling heavy 
 boxes and casks, and bales and barrels of pro 
 visions and ammunition had made me dead 
 tired, and I slept like a log until reveille. This 
 unpleasant function occurred at three bells (half- 
 past five o clock), and it consisted of an infernal 
 23
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 hubbub of drums and bugles and boatswains 
 pipes, loud and discordant enough to awaken the 
 seven sleepers. We roused in a hurry, and, 
 with eyes scarcely open, began to lash up our 
 hammocks. 
 
 " Seven turns, no more, no less," bawled the 
 master-at-arms. " Get just seven turns of the 
 lashing around your hammocks, and get em 
 quick. If you can t pass your hammock 
 through a foot ring, you ll go on the report. 
 Shake a leg there ! " 
 
 The rumor had gone about that it was the cus 
 tom to " swat " the last man with a club, and 
 there was a great scramble. We found the ham 
 mock stowers in the nettings, which were large 
 boxes on the gun deck, and our queer canvas 
 beds were soon stowed away for the day. As the 
 reveille hour is too early for breakfast, coffee 
 and hard-tack is served out by each mess cook. 
 The coffee is minus milk, but it is hot and palat 
 able, and really acts as a tonic. 
 
 The first order of the day is to scrub down 
 decks and clean ship generally, but, as the 
 " Yankee " was still in the throes of preparation, 
 we were spared that disagreeable work and per 
 mitted to arrange our belongings for the long 
 voyage before us. In the service each man is 
 allowed a black bag about three feet six inches 
 24
 
 WE GET UNDER WAY AT LAST. 
 
 high and twelve inches in diameter, and a small 
 wooden box, eighteen inches square, known as 
 a " ditty box," to keep his wardrobe in. All 
 clothing is rolled, and careful sailors generally 
 wrap each garment ii< a piece of muslin before 
 consigning it to the black bag. In the ditty box 
 are kept such articles as toothbrush, brush and 
 comb, small hand glass, writing material, and 
 odds and ends. Each bag and box is numbered, 
 and must be kept in a certain place. At first 
 we thought it wouldn t be possible to keep our 
 clothing in such a small space, but experience 
 taught us that we would have ample room. 
 
 The following days until the eighth of May 
 were days of manual labor, which hardened our 
 muscles and placed a fine edge on our appetites. 
 To see the men who had been accustomed to a 
 life of .luxury toiling away with rope and scrub 
 bing brush and paint pot, working like day la 
 borers, and happy at that, was really a remark 
 able spectacle. For my part, I noticed with 
 surprise that scratched and bruised hands 
 scratched so that the salt water caused positive 
 pain did not appeal to me. I tore off a corner 
 of my right thumb trying to squeeze a large box 
 through the forward hatch, and the only treat 
 ment I gave it was a fragment of rather soiled 
 rag and a little vaseline borrowed from a mate. 
 25
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 To quit work and apply for the first aid to in 
 jured never struck me. Ashore I would prob 
 ably have called a doctor. 
 
 The day before we left the yard one of my 
 mates sprained his back lifting a box of canned 
 meat. In civil life he had been a lawyer with a 
 promising practice, his office being with one of 
 the best known men of the bar. He gave it up 
 and joined the Naval Reserves because, as he ex 
 pressed it, " To fight for one s country is a pa 
 triot s first duty." When the accident hap 
 pened, he refused to go below to the sick bay 
 until the doctor stated that rest for a few days 
 at least was absolutely necessary. 
 
 " It isn t that I mind the hurt, boys," he said, 
 with a smile, as he was assisted to the hatch, 
 " but I hate to be knocked out in my first en 
 gagement, and that with a box of canned corned 
 beef." 
 
 The monotony of work was broken on the 
 ninth of May, when preparations were made to 
 leave the yard. The destination was only Tomp- 
 kinsville, but there was not a man on board but 
 felt that, as the last hawser was cast off, we were 
 fairly started on our cruise in search of action. 
 As the " Yankee " was assisted away from the 
 wharf by a Government tug, a number of friends 
 gathered ashore cheered lustily and waved their 
 26
 
 WE GET UNDER WAY AT LAST. 
 
 hats and handkerchiefs. The scene had been 
 repeated time without end, no doubt, but it went 
 to our hearts all the same, and there was many a 
 husky note in the cheers we gave in return. 
 
 There was also encouragement in the whistles 
 we received as we dropped down the East River, 
 and we felt as if our small share in the war 
 would be appreciated by those compelled to stay 
 at home. We steamed directly to the vicinity 
 of Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, anchored 
 off Tompkinsville, and then picked up a berth 
 there for the night. Half way down the bay we 
 met a tug carrying a committee from the " Sons 
 of the Revolution " of New York State. The 
 committee had been selected by the society to 
 present us with a set of colors. The tug accom 
 panied us to our anchorage, then the committee 
 came on board. The ceremony of presentation 
 was rather picturesque. 
 
 The visitors gathered on the bridge, the ship s 
 bugler sounded the assembly, and in obedience 
 to the call we lined up on the forward deck. We 
 wore the white duck service uniform, including 
 trousers, jumper, and cap. Some of the uni 
 forms had suffered in contact with pitch, but the 
 general effect was good. When everything was 
 in readiness, the chairman of the committee pre 
 sented the set of colors and said : 
 27
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 " Captain Brownson, officers and men of the 
 ( Yankee/ I have the honor, on behalf of the 
 Society of the Sons of the Revolution in the 
 State of New York, to present these colors to 
 the members of the Naval Reserve of the State 
 of New York, who have enlisted for service 
 under your command." 
 
 Pie continued by hoping that the colors would 
 ever float victorious, and said that he did not 
 doubt it, and then our skipper made a little 
 speech in reply. The affair wound up with 
 a round of cheers and general congratulations. 
 The flags were handsome, and, as it came to pass, 
 they flaunted amid battle smoke before many 
 weeks. 
 
 Our stay off Tompkinsville was to be short, 
 but we had time to become acquainted with a 
 characteristic naval oddity known as the bum- 
 boat. Diligent inquiries among the old sailors 
 on board the " Yankee " failed to enlighten me 
 as to the derivation of the name, but the consen 
 sus of opinion was that these floating peddlers 
 sold articles which, to use a slang phrase, were 
 pretty " bum." Experience has given the 
 opinion some color of truth. Our bumboat 
 boarded us early and stayed with us until the 
 corporal of the guard called " time." 
 
 She came laden with pies and doughnuts, pins 
 28
 
 WE GET UNDER WAT AT LAST. 
 
 and needles, tape and buttons and whisk brooms 
 and shoe blacking, handkerchiefs, ties, scissors, 
 soap, writing paper, envelopes, ink, pens, cakes, 
 bread, jelly, pocket knives, and a schedule of 
 prices that would have brought a blush of envy 
 to the face of a Swiss inn-keeper. As the boys 
 had not yet grown entirely accustomed to what 
 is called " Government straight," i.e., salt meat 
 and hard-tack, the bumboat did a thriving busi 
 ness. Young Potter s bill was tremendous, and 
 Mrs. Bumboat bade him a regretful farewell 
 when she visited us for the last time. 
 
 At three in the afternoon of the tenth we 
 hoisted anchor on our way to sea. Our good 
 friends had not deserted us, and a number of 
 them, aboard several tugs, accompanied us as 
 far as the Narrows. The " God-speed " given 
 us as we steamed away would have been a fine 
 object lesson to our future antagonists. 
 
 Up to the present we had been concerned 
 simply with the preparations for war, but it was 
 destined that before another twenty-four hours 
 had passed we would have a taste of the actual 
 realities. 
 
 The " Yankee " was to see service. 
 
 29
 
 CHAPTER in. 
 
 IN WHICH THE " YANKEE " CRUISES FOB PRIZES. 
 
 It was evening, the evening of the day on 
 which the " Yankee " sailed from Tompkinsville 
 bound out on her maiden cruise as an auxiliary 
 ship of war. The afternoon had passed without 
 event, save that which attacks the amateur 
 sailor when he first feels the heaving swell of 
 old ocean. The crew had shaken into its place, 
 and the men of the watch on deck were com 
 mencing to appreciate their responsibilities. 
 
 The ship was quiet, save for the faint chug- 
 chug of the propeller under the stern and the oc 
 casional clang of a shovel in the fire room deep 
 down in the innermost reaches of the ship. The 
 sun had vanished in a hazy cloud which por 
 tended a stiff breeze, but the wind was still 
 gentle, and, as it swept across the decks from off 
 the port quarter, it seemed grateful indeed to 
 those who came from below for a breath of air. 
 
 Orders had been issued to darken the decks. 
 The running lights of red and green were still in 
 80
 
 THE " YANKEE " CRUISES FOR PRIZES. 
 
 the lamp room, and, except for a soft, rosy glow 
 from the binnacle-bowl, there was a blackness of 
 night throughout the upper part of the ship. 
 Cigars and pipes and cigarettes had been 
 tabooed, and doors were opened in the deck 
 houses only after the inside lights had been 
 lowered to a flickering pin point. 
 
 Up on the forward bridge Captain Brownson 
 stood talking in a low voice to the executive of 
 ficer, Lieutenant Hubbard. The lurching swing 
 of the ship caused them to sway back and forth 
 against the rail and a metallic sound came from 
 a sword scabbard suspended from the captain s 
 belt. The presence of this sword, betrayed by 
 the clatter it made, told a secret to several sailors 
 gathered under the lee of the pilot house, and 
 one said, in an excited whisper : 
 
 " There s something up, Chips. The old man 
 is fixed for trouble. I m going aft and stand 
 by." 
 
 The speaker started off, but before he had 
 taken ten steps the shrill blast of a bugle sud 
 denly broke the stillness of the night. The dis 
 cordant notes rang and echoed through the ship, 
 and, while the sound was still trembling in the 
 air, two score of shadowy figures sprang up from 
 different parts of the deck and scurried toward 
 the ladders leading below. 
 31
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 The transformation was instant and complete. 
 
 From a ship stealthily pursuing its way 
 through the darkness a part of the mist the 
 " Yankee " became the theatre of a scene of the 
 most intense activity. 
 
 There was no shouting, no great clamor of 
 sound ; nothing but the peculiar shuffling of 
 shoes against iron, the hard panting of hurrying 
 men, the grating of breech-blocks, low muttered 
 orders from officer to man, and a multitude of 
 minor noises that seemed strange and weird and 
 uncanny in this blackness. 
 
 A belated wardroom boy, still carrying a 
 towel across his arm, slips from the cabin and 
 hastens forward to his station in the powder di 
 vision. The navigator, an officer of the regular 
 navy, whose ideas of discipline are based on cast 
 iron rules, espies the laggard and administers a 
 sharp rebuke. A squad of marines dash from 
 the " barracks " below and line up at the sec 
 ondary battery guns on the forecastle. Some of 
 the marines are hatless and coatless,and one wiry 
 little private shambles along on one foot. He 
 stumbles against a hatch-coaming and kicks his 
 shoe across the deck. 
 
 Suddenly an order comes out of the gloom 
 near the main hatch and is carried from gun to 
 gun. 
 
 32
 
 THE " YANKEE " CRUISES FOR PRIZES. 
 
 " Cast loose and provide ! " 
 
 The hitherto motionless figures waiting at the 
 battery spring into activity. Hands move 
 nimbly at the training and elevating gear. 
 Breech-blocks are thrown open, sights adjusted, 
 the first and second captains take their places, 
 the former with the firing lanyard in readiness 
 for use at his gun; then there is silence again 
 as the officer in charge of the division holds up 
 one hand as a signal that all is prepared. Then 
 comes the word to load. 
 
 In a twinkling the ammunition hoists are 
 creaking with their burdens and boxes of shell 
 appear on deck. These are quickly lifted to the 
 guns and taken in hand by the loaders. The lat 
 ter do their part of the general work thoroughly 
 and with despatch, and presently the breech 
 blocks are swung to and the battery is ready for 
 action. 
 
 In the meantime there has been systematic 
 preparation in other parts of the auxiliary 
 cruiser. Down in the sick bay aft, the surgeon 
 and his assistants have made ready for their 
 grewsome task. Cases of glittering instruments 
 have been opened, lint and bandages and splints 
 are in their proper places, and the apothecary 
 and bayman are getting the cots in trim for 
 instant use. 
 
 3 33
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 In the fire room the firemen and coal-passers 
 are heaping up the furnaces, a couple of men 
 hurry away to attend to the fire mains, and, 
 standing by in readiness for duty, are the en 
 gineers and crew of the off watch. The car 
 penters are ready below with shot-hole plugs, 
 and everywhere throughout the ship can be 
 found officers and sailors and marines and men 
 of the " black gang," each at his proper station 
 in readiness for the word to begin action. 
 
 But that word does not come. Instead a 
 stentorian command is heard from the bridge: 
 
 " Secure ! " 
 
 Laughing and joking, the crew of the " Yan 
 kee" hasten to restore the ship to its former state. 
 All this has been a drill, the drill known as gen 
 eral quarters. It is the first time it has been held 
 under service conditions, and when the captain 
 steps down from the bridge and says in his brisk, 
 authorita tive way, " Very well done, very well 
 done indeed," the boys of the cruiser are satisfied 
 and happy. 
 
 Twice during the night the drill is repeated. 
 There is no grumbling because of disturbed 
 sleep, for a rumor has gone about the ship that 
 Spanish vessels have been seen off the coast, and 
 even the cranks on board admit that drills and 
 exercises are necessary. 
 
 34
 
 THE " YANKEE " CRUISES FOR PRIZES. 
 
 Sea watches have been set, and the rules fol 
 lowed when under way are now operative. A 
 brief explanation of the routine attending the 
 first hours of a naval day may help to make suc 
 ceeding descriptions more plain. The ship s 
 daily life commences with the calling of the 
 ship s cook at 3:30 a.m. The ordinary mess 
 cooks are awakened at four o clock, so that coffee 
 can be prepared for the watch. Coffee is always 
 served with hard-tack to the watch coming on 
 deck at four. It is all the men get until break 
 fast at 7:30, and a great deal of work must be 
 accomplished before that time. 
 
 After the hard-tack and coffee had been con 
 sumed and it went to that spot always reserved 
 for good things the lookouts of the other watch 
 on the port and starboard bridge and the patent 
 life buoys port and starboard quarter were re 
 lieved. As soon as the first streaks of dawn 
 were to be seen a long-drawn boatswain s pipe, 
 like the wail of a lost soul, came from forward, 
 and the order " scrub and wash clothes " 
 given. 
 
 A day or two before the " Yankee " left the 
 navy yard, one of the pretty girls who had 
 come over to visit her asked : " Where do you 
 have your washing done ? It must require a 
 great many washerwomen to keep the clothes of 
 35
 
 A GUNXER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 this dirty [glancing rather disdainfully at her 
 somewhat grimy friend] crew clean." Though 
 we knew that the luxury of a laundry would not 
 fall to our lot, we were at a loss as to the method 
 pursued to clean clothes. 
 
 We soon learned. 
 
 We who had been anticipating an order of 
 this sort came running forward with bundles of 
 clothes that would discourage a steam laundry. 
 This was the first opportunity we had had to 
 clean up. The forecastlemen led out the hose, 
 which was connected to the ship s pump, and, 
 after wetting down the forecastle deck (where 
 all clothes must be scrubbed), we were told we 
 might turn to. 
 
 The " Kid," who was the youngest member 
 of the crew aboard, very popular with officers 
 and men, and who afterward became the ship s 
 mascot, said, " How do you work this, anyway? " 
 I confessed that I was in the dark myself, but 
 proposed that we watch " Patt," the gunner s 
 mate, who had served in the navy before. Pres 
 ently we saw him lay his jumper flat on the deck, 
 wet it thoroughly with water from the hose, 
 then rub it with salt-water soap. Then he fished 
 out a stiff scrubbing brush and began to scrub 
 the jumper as if it was a floor. We then under 
 stood the significance of the order scrub and 
 36
 
 BEGAN TO SCRUB THE JUMPER AS IF IT WAS A FLOOR 
 
 (page 36). 
 
 : ALL HANDS OF THE WATCH TURNED TO AND SCRUBBED 
 
 DECKS" (page 39).
 
 THE " YANKEE " CRUISES FOR PRIZES. 
 
 wash, clothes. In salt water the clothes have not 
 only to be washed, but scrubbed as well. 
 
 The "Kid" remarked, "Well, I ll be 
 switched," and forthwith fell on his knees and 
 proceeded to follow " Patt s " example. 
 
 Though we scrubbed manfully, " putting our 
 backs into it " and " using plenty of elbow 
 grease," as instructed, still the result was hardly 
 up to our expectations. The navigator re 
 marked, as we were " stopping " the clothes on 
 the line, " You heroes might scrub those clothes 
 a little bit ; it does not take a college education 
 to learn how to wash clothes." 
 
 I agreed with the " Kid " that, though clean 
 liness was next to Godliness, cleanliness, like 
 Godliness, was often a difficult virtue to acquire. 
 We found it almost impossible to be cleanly 
 without the aid of fresh water, so the schemes 
 devised to avoid the executive s order and get it 
 were many and ingenious. 
 
 One man would go to the ship s galley, where 
 the fresh water hand-pump was, and, without 
 further ado, begin to fill his bucket, remarking, 
 if the cook attempted to interfere, that he had to 
 scrub paint work or he had orders from the doc 
 tor to bathe in fresh water. These excuses 
 would be successful till too many men came in 
 with buckets and plausible excuses, when the 
 37
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 cook would shut down on the scheme for the 
 time. The man with fresh water was the envy 
 of his fellows, and must needs be vigilant, or 
 bucket and water would disappear mysteriously. 
 
 The " Kid " happened to be next me when 
 " stopping " his clothes on the line, and re 
 marked, as he tied the last knot on his last 
 jumper, " I like to be clean as the next chap, but 
 this scrubbing clothes on your knees is no snap." 
 
 He stopped to feel them. 
 
 " Why, I can feel the corns growing on them 
 already. How often do we have to do this scrub 
 bing job, anyhow? " he asked. 
 
 " You can do it every morning, if you really 
 feel inclined," I replied, smiling at his rueful 
 countenance ; " clothes can only be washed dur 
 ing the morning watch (four to eight), I under 
 stand, and, as the starboard men are on duty one 
 day during that time and the port watch the 
 next, each is supposed to scrub and wash 
 clothes in their own watch. See? " 
 
 The " Kid " looked up at the dripping line 
 of rather dingy clothes, then down at his red and 
 soapy knees, and said, as he turned to go aft, 
 " Well, when we get back to New York, I am 
 going to have a suit of whites made of celluloid 
 that can be washed with a sponge." 
 
 At 6:30 the order "knock off scrubbing 
 38
 
 THE KID HAPPENED TO BE NEXT ME WHEN STOP 
 PING CLOTHES ON THE LINE " (page 38). 
 
 "THE SIX-POUNDERS ON THE SPAR DECK BEGAN TO BARK " 
 
 (page 47).
 
 THE " YANKEE " CRUISES FOR PRIZES. 
 
 clothes " was given, and then all hands of the 
 watch " turned to " and scrubbed decks, scoured 
 the gratings and companion-way ladders with 
 sand and canvas, brass work was polished, paint 
 work wiped down, and everything on board 
 made as spick and span as a new dollar. 
 
 A vast quantity of water is brought from over 
 the side through the ship s pump, and the men 
 work in their bare feet. In fact, the usual cos 
 tume during this period of the day consists of a 
 pair of duck trousers and a thin shirt. On 
 special occasions even the shirt is dispensed 
 with. During warm weather it is delightful to 
 splash around a water-soaked deck, but there are 
 mornings when a biting wind conies from the 
 north, and the keenness of winter is in the air, 
 and then Jackie, compelled to labor up to his 
 knees in water, casts longing glances toward the 
 glow of the galley fire, and makes his semi- 
 yearly vow that he will leave the " blooming " 
 service for good and go on a farm. 
 
 This scrubbing of decks and scouring of lad 
 ders put an extra edge on our appetites, so 
 we agreed with " Stump " when he said, " I feel 
 as if I could put a whole bumboat load of 
 stuff out of commission all by my lonely." 
 " Stump s " appetite was out of proportion to 
 his size. 
 
 39
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 When the boatswain s mate gave his peculiar 
 long, quavering pipe and the order " spread mess 
 gear for the watch below," at 7:20, we of the 
 watch on deck realized that there was still forty 
 minutes to wait. Every man s hunger seemed 
 to increase tenfold, so that even the odor of boil 
 ing " salt-horse " from the galley did not trouble 
 us. 
 
 Finally the order came, " on deck all the star 
 board watch " ; followed by the boatswain s 
 mess call for the watch on deck. The scramble 
 to get below and to work with knife, fork, and 
 spoon resembled a fire panic at a theatre. It is 
 first come first served aboard ship, and the man 
 who lingers often gets left. 
 
 The gun deck of the " Yankee," like the 
 gun deck of most war vessels, is Jack s living 
 room. Here he sleeps, in what he facetiously 
 calls his folding-bed, which is swung from 
 the deck beams above; here he enjoys the 
 various amusements that an ordinary citizen 
 would call work; here he goes through his drills; 
 here he fights, not his shipmates, but his coun 
 try s enemies, and here he eats. 
 
 The remark, " he spread his legs luxuriously 
 
 under the mahogany," would hardly apply to 
 
 Jack s mode of dining. His table is a swinging 
 
 affair that is hung on the hammock hooks a 
 
 40
 
 THE " YANKEE " CRUISES FOR PRIZES. 
 
 mere board a couple of feet wide and twelve or 
 fourteen feet long, having a ridge around the 
 edge to keep the plates from sliding off in a sea 
 way. Jack s dining chairs are called " mess 
 benches," and consist of a long folding bench 
 that with the table can be stowed away in racks 
 overhead when not in use. A mess chest for 
 each mess, an enamelled iron plate and cup, 
 and a knife, fork, and spoon for each man com 
 plete the " mess gear " outfit. 
 
 The ship s company is divided into messes, 
 each man being assigned to a certain mess at the 
 same time his billet number or ship s number is 
 given to him. There are from fifteen to thirty 
 men in a mess. Each has its own " berth-deck 
 cook," who prepares the food for the galley; 
 each, too, has a mess caterer, or striker, whose 
 business it is to help the mess cook and see that 
 all goes well. The caterer is a volunteer from 
 the mess, and generally serves for a week, when 
 another volunteer takes his place. If the quan 
 tity or quality of the food is not up to expecta 
 tions, it would be better for the caterer that he 
 be put down in the " brig " out of harm s way, 
 for Jack is apt to speak his mind in vigorous 
 English, and his mind and stomach have gen 
 erally formed a close alliance. 
 
 The twenty minutes allowed for meals are 
 41
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 well spent, and the clatter of knives and forks 
 attests the zest with which Uncle Sam s man-o - 
 war s-man tackles his not always too nice or deli 
 cate fare. The nine dollars a month allowed by 
 the navy for rations is expended by the pay 
 master of the vessel, not by the men, so, if the 
 paymaster concludes that the men shall have 
 "salt-horse," rice, and hard-tack, Jack gets "salt- 
 horse," rice, and hard-tack, and that is all he 
 does get unless his mess cook and caterer are 
 unusually prudent and save something from 
 the previous day s rations, or the mess has put 
 up some extra money and has " private stores." 
 
 As the man with the biggest appetite or the 
 fellow who eats slowly are putting away the last 
 morsel of cracker hash or the last swallow of cof 
 fee, " Jimmy Legs " (the master-at-arms) comes 
 around, shouting as he goes, " Shake a leg there, 
 we want to get this deck cleared for quarters." 
 He is often followed by the boatswain s mate of 
 the watch, who echoes his call, and between 
 them they clear the deck. Then begins the real 
 work of the day. 
 
 42
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 WE GET OKDEBS TO GO SOUTH. 
 
 Shortly after breakfast the " Yankee " came 
 to anchor outside of Provincetown, Mass. An 
 hour later a large man-of-war was discovered 
 steaming toward us. Rumors were rife at once, 
 and the excitement increased when the vessel, 
 which proved to be the gallant cruiser " Colum 
 bia," passed close alongside, and the captain was 
 observed to lean over the bridge railing with a 
 megaphone in his hands. 
 
 " Yankee ahoy ! " came across the water. 
 
 " Hello, Columbia ! " replied Captain 
 Brownson. 
 
 " I have orders for you." 
 
 " Whoop ! we are going to Cuba," cried 
 young Potter. " It s dead sure this time. They 
 can t do without us down 
 
 " Silence ! " called out the executive officer, 
 sternly. " Corporal of the guard, see to that 
 man." 
 
 Poor Potter is sent below in disgrace amid the 
 43
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 chuckles and jeers of his unsympathetic ship 
 mates. The little episode nearly earned him 
 many hours of extra duty. 
 
 In the meantime the " Columbia s " captain 
 had communicated the welcome intelligence that 
 we were to cruise to the southward at once to 
 look for several suspicious vessels that had been 
 sighted in the vicinity of Barnegat. This prom 
 ised action so strongly that a cheer went up from 
 the crew. This time even the officers joined in. 
 
 Very shortly after came the order " All 
 hands on the cat falls," at which every man Jack 
 came running forward. The blue-clothed fig 
 ures poured up the companion-ways like rats out 
 of a sinking ship, for "all hands on the cat falls" 
 means up anchor, and up anchor meant new ex 
 periences, perhaps a brush with a Spanish man- 
 of-war or the capture of a Spanish prize. The 
 anchor was yanked up and guided into place on 
 its chocks in a hurry, and soon the " Yankee " 
 was under way and headed southward. As we 
 passed the " Columbia," the men of both ships 
 stood at attention, feet together, hands at the 
 side, heads up, silent. So a ship is saluted in 
 the United States Navy, a ceremony dignified 
 and impressive, though not as soul-stirring as 
 the American cheer. 
 
 The "Scuttle Butt Navigators," or, as the 
 44
 
 WE GET ORDERS TO GO SOUTH. 
 
 " Yankee " boys called them, the Rumor Com 
 mittee, were very busy that bright day in May. 
 According to them we were to sail seaward and 
 discover Cervera s fleet, the whereabouts of 
 which was then unknown. We were to sail 
 south and bombard Havana. The older, wiser 
 heads laughed at such rumors, and said it was 
 foolishness, but all were ready and anxious to 
 listen to the wildest tales. 
 
 All the time the ship was getting under way 
 the routine work was going on. The sweepers 
 had obeyed the order given by the boatswain s 
 mate, accompanied by the pipe peculiar to that 
 order, " Gun-deck sweepers, clean sweep fore 
 and aft; sweepers, clean your spit kits." 
 
 At twenty minutes past nine the bugle 
 sounded the first or officers call to quarters, a 
 call that sounded like " Get your sword on, get 
 your sword on, get your sword on, get your 
 sword on, get your sword on right away ! " Ten 
 minutes later came " assembly," and the men 
 rushed to their places at the guns and their sta 
 tions in the powder divisions. 
 
 After our division had been mustered, " Long 
 Tommy," the boatswain s mate and captain of 
 our gun, said to " Hay," " I think we ll have 
 some shooting to-day. I saw the gunners mates 
 rigging a target." 
 
 45
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD TI1E " YANKEE." 
 
 "Good!" said "Hay," "what does it look 
 like?" 
 
 " Why," explained Tommy, " it s a triangular 
 sail, having a black spot painted in the middle, 
 supported by a raft, also triangular, which is 
 floated by three barrels, one at each corner." 
 
 " Can t be very big," said " Stump." 
 
 " About ten feet at the base, tapering to a 
 point. The red flag that flies from the top is 
 perhaps fourteen feet from the water, I should 
 say." 
 
 " And they expect us to hit that? " broke in 
 " Lucky bag Kennedy." 
 
 " Of course," said Tommy the confident, " and 
 we shall." 
 
 As soon as the officers of the different divi 
 sions had returned from the bridge, where they 
 had been to report, the quick, sharp bugle call 
 which summons the crew to general quarters was 
 sounded. 
 
 As the first notes were heard, the men scat 
 tered as if a bomb with a visible burning fuse 
 had fallen in their midst. Some hurried to lead 
 out the hose, some to get N the gun sights and fir 
 ing lanyards, some to get belts and revolvers for 
 the guns crews, some down into the hot, dark 
 magazines, and some to open up the magazine 
 hoists. All was apparent confusion, but was in 
 46
 
 WE GET ORDERS TO GO SOUTH. 
 
 reality perfect discipline. Soon boxes of shell 
 were ready by the guns, but the order " load " 
 had not yet been given. 
 
 The triangular target was then lowered over 
 the side and cast loose. In a few minutes the 
 six-pounders on the spar deck began to bark. 
 " Getting the range, I guess," said " Hod," who 
 had sneaked over from the powder division to 
 get a look at the target. 
 
 " Pretty near it," replied " Stump," as a shot 
 splashed close to the triangular piece of 
 canvas. 
 
 "Here comes Scully," some one whispered; 
 " now we ll have a chance." 
 
 " The captain says fire when ready, at 1,500 
 yards," said Scully, saluting Mr. Greene, the 
 officer of the division. " Captain says, sir, in 
 struct your men to shoot at the top of the roll, 
 and a little over, rather than under the target," 
 continued he, saluting again. 
 
 " Port battery take stations for exercise, load, 
 set your sights at 1,500 yards, and when ready, 
 fire." Mr. Greene s orders came sharp and 
 clear; there was never any misunderstanding of 
 them. 
 
 Most of us of dumber Eight s gun crew had 
 never stood near a big gun when it spoke, and 
 most of us dreaded it and felt inclined to run 
 47
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 away out of ear-shot. It was our business to 
 stand by, however, so we stood by while Tommy, 
 firing lanyard in hand, sighted the machine. 
 
 "Eight!" he sung out to "Stump" and 
 " Flagg," who were at the training wheels. 
 " Right handsomely," added Tommy, working 
 the elevating gear, as the gun moved slowly 
 round. The gun roared and jumped back on 
 its mount six or eight inches, but promptly slid 
 back again forced back by powerful springs. 
 The shell sped on its way, humming as it went, 
 and struck a little short of the target, sending up 
 a great fountain as it was exploded by the impact 
 with the water. 
 
 "Hay" pulled the breech lever and the breech 
 plug came out, allowing " Stump," who wore 
 heavy gloves for the purpose, to extract the 
 empty shell. This he dropped in the concrete 
 waterway, then ran to his place at the training 
 wheel; a fresh shell had been put in the gun, 
 meanwhile, and it was ready for business again. 
 A number of good shots were made by different 
 gunners. Enough to show that, amateur tars 
 that we were, there was the making of good 
 gunners in us. As the " Kid," in his over 
 weening confidence, said, " Ain t we peaches? 
 When we get down south we will have a little 
 target practise, and the dagos will be so 
 48
 
 WE GET ORDERS TO GO SOUTH. 
 
 scared that they will haul down their colors 
 right away." 
 
 During the day we steamed slowly along, 
 a bright lookout being kept by the men at the 
 foremast-head for suspicious steamers. After 
 dinner at eight bells (12 o clock), the smoking 
 lamp, which hangs near the scuttle butt aft, was 
 kept lighted about fifteen minutes. Smoking 
 is allowed aboard only when the smoking lamp 
 is lighted, and as " Hay " was wont to say, it 
 was lighted " when you did not want to smoke." 
 At ten minutes past one " turn to " was piped by 
 the boatswain s mates, followed by the call for 
 sweepers. Then came the order, " Stand by 
 your scrub and wash clothes." So the " Kid " 
 and I hastened forward, both anxious to see if 
 our initial clothes-washing venture was a success. 
 We had depended on the sun to bleach our much 
 be-scrubbed clothes, but well I would have 
 left them where they were if I could. As for 
 the " Kid s " after holding them off at arm s 
 length for a while, he remarked, " Why, I would 
 not use such rags to clean my bicycle at home," 
 and threw them overboard. He was always a 
 reckless chap. 
 
 The infantry drill we had at afternoon quar 
 ters at 1:30, served to keep us busy. The 
 same thing had been gone through on the " New 
 4 49
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Hampshire " many a time and oft. We found 
 it rather difficult to march straight and keep a 
 good line on a swaying deck. So we were kept 
 at it until we had got the hang of it. We were 
 still parading to and fro on the spar deck, when 
 some one sighted land off the starboard bow. 
 The dismissal call was given none too soon, for 
 the curiosity as to what we were heading for 
 made discipline lax and attention far from close. 
 
 We soon learned that this was Block Island. 
 
 The gig was lowered, and the captain and 
 mail orderly went ashore. 
 
 " Now we ll get our real orders," said Potter. 
 " Ho ! for the Spanish main," he shouted, for 
 getting his narrow escape of the day before. 
 
 " It will be Ho ! for the ship s brig, and Ho ! 
 for five days on bread and water, if you don t 
 look out," said " Stump," dryly. 
 
 About dark, the gig came back again, bring 
 ing the captain in it and the mail orderly but 
 no mail, and how we did long for a word from 
 home. A scrap of newspaper, even, would be 
 a blessing. 
 
 We had just sat down to evening mess when 
 the order, "All hands on the gig falls! " was 
 given, and the master-at-arms chased us off the 
 gun deck. Soon the measured tread of many 
 feet could be heard, and then the order was 
 50
 
 "THE GIG WAS LOWERED" (page 50). 
 
 "THE MEN ON THE STAGES" (page 78).
 
 WE GET ORDERS TO GO SOUTH. 
 
 given by the officer of the deck to the coxswain 
 of the gig, " Secure your boat for sea." 
 
 So we were to go off again. Where? 
 
 Within a short time we were under way 
 again. The usual watches were set, but very 
 few of the boys went below. The mere rumor 
 that the enemy was prowling along the coast was 
 enough to prevent sleep. My watch went on 
 duty at four o clock. We were not called in the 
 usual way, by the boatswain s whistle, but each 
 man was roused separately. This in itself was 
 sufficient to lend an air of intense interest to the 
 scene. 
 
 On reaching the deck I found that the night 
 had grown stormy. A chill wind was blowing 
 off the coast, rendering pea coats and watch caps 
 extremely comfortable. A fine rain began to 
 fall shortly after four, and by the time I had 
 taken my post forward as a lookout it had in 
 creased to a regular squall. 
 
 The " Yankee " was a splendid sea boat, but 
 in the course of an hour the choppy waves 
 kicked up by the storm set her to bobbing about 
 like the proverbial cork. The gloom of the 
 night had changed to a blackness that made it 
 impossible to see an arm s length away. Stand 
 ing on the starboard bridge, I could scarcely 
 distinguish the faint white foam gathered under 
 51
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 the forefoot. Aft there was nothing visible 
 save a length of stay which seemingly began at 
 nothing and ended in darkness. 
 
 The howling of the wind through the taut 
 cordage of the foremast, the sullen plunging of 
 the ship s hull in the trough of the sea, the rise 
 to a wave crest and the poising there before fall 
 ing once more, the smell of the dank salt air, 
 and the occasional spurt of spray over the lean 
 ing bow, all made a scene so novel to me that 
 I forgot Spanish ships and my duty and stood 
 almost entranced. 
 
 It was a dereliction for which I was to suffer. 
 In the midst of my reverie a hand was suddenly 
 placed upon my shoulder and I heard a familiar 
 voice exclaim sternly: 
 
 " Lookout, what do you mean by sleeping on 
 post? Why did you not report that light? " 
 
 It was Captain Brownson! 
 
 Asleep on post! The accusation was grave 
 enough to startle me, and I lost no time in stam 
 mering a denial. Luckily, the discovery of the 
 strange light, which was just faintly visible dead 
 ahead, occupied the commander s attention for 
 the moment and I escaped further rebuke. 
 
 Captain Brownson hurried to the bridge and 
 presently word was passed to go to quarters at 
 once. The ports were opened, ammunition 
 52
 
 WE GET ORDERS TO 00 SOUTH. 
 
 made ready for both the main and secondary 
 batteries, and the crew stood at their guns in 
 readiness for action. It was a very impressive 
 sight, the grim weapons just showing in the dim 
 lantern light, the great cartridges standing close 
 to the breeches, the men quiet and steady, their 
 faces showing anxiety but perfect self-control. 
 
 I was proud to belong to such a crew, for the 
 majority thought that an action was imminent, 
 and perhaps a superior foe to be fought, yet 
 there was no sign of that fear which is supposed 
 to attack the novice in battle. It was a con 
 vincing proof of American bravery and self- 
 reliance. 
 
 In the meantime the engines had been called 
 on for full speed, and the ship throbbed and 
 swayed with the increased power. Extra men 
 were presently sent below to the fire room, and 
 it soon became evident that we were in actual 
 chase of the suspicious vessel. From my station 
 at the after port gun I was enabled to catch an 
 occasional glimpse of the sea through the open 
 port. 
 
 The squall had passed in part and the night 
 was growing lighter. The rain still fell, though 
 fitfully, and at times a dash of water entered 
 the portf, besprinkling gun and crew and fighting 
 tackle, leaving great drops that glistened like 
 53
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 dew in the waning light of the lanterns. Along 
 side, white-capped waves raced with the ship. 
 
 As the gloom lightened, the horizon spread, 
 and presently, away in the distance, a dark spot, 
 like a smudge upon a gray background, became 
 visible. " Long Tommy," attached to my gun, 
 leaned far out of the port with an exclamation 
 of excitement. 
 
 " By George! it s another ship," he added. 
 
 "We are in a nest of the Dagoes," cried young 
 Potter, rather wildly. " We have run into an 
 ambuscade." 
 
 " You ve got a great chance to become a dead 
 hero," remarked the first gun captain dryly. 
 
 Word was passed from above to break out 
 more shell, and presently the navigator slipped 
 down the ladder and made a close inspection of 
 the different five-inch guns. As he went from 
 crew to crew he gave whispered instructions to 
 the officers in charge. 
 
 " The old man expects trouble this trip," 
 whispered Tommy. He coolly stripped off his 
 shirt and stood, half-naked, the muscles of his 
 athletic chest and arms gleaming like white 
 marble in the uncertain light. Most of us fol 
 lowed his example, and the spectacle of the 
 swaying groups of men, bared for action, added 
 a dramatic tinge to the scene. 
 54
 
 WE GET ORDERS TO GO SOUTH. 
 
 Below, the powerful engines throbbed with a 
 pulsation that set every bolt and joint creaking, 
 the strident echoes of the firemen s shovels could 
 he heard scraping against the iron floor, and little 
 whistlings of steam came like higher notes in 
 the general tune. Even the noises of the ship 
 were strange and weird and impressive. 
 
 The crews had been standing in readiness at 
 their stations for almost an hour when it sud 
 denly became noticeable that the darkness of 
 night was giving way before a gradual dawn. 
 The glimmering flame in the lanterns faded and 
 waned, objects buried in gloom began to assume 
 shape, and the edges of the open ports grew 
 sharp and more defined. Constant waiting 
 brought a relaxation of discipline, and the mem 
 bers of the different crews grouped about the 
 ports and eagerly searched for the chase. 
 
 The smudge on the horizon had long since 
 disappeared, but directly ahead could be seen the 
 faint outlines of a steamer. A dense cloud of 
 smoke was pouring from her funnel, and it was 
 plainly apparent that she was making every 
 effort to escape. This in itself was enough to 
 stamp her identity, and we shook our clenched 
 fists exultantly after her. 
 
 The night broke rapidly. In the east a rosy 
 tinge proclaimed the coming sun. Just as the 
 55
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 first glitter of the fiery rim appeared above the 
 horizon, a gray, damp mist swept across the 
 water, coming like an impenetrable wall between 
 the " Yankee " and the chase. 
 
 56
 
 CHAPTEE Y. 
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 A howl of disappointment went up from the 
 crew. 
 
 " Oh, if she was only within range," cried 
 " Hay," smiting the breech of the five-inch rifle 
 with his hand. " Just one shot, just one 
 shot." 
 
 " Guns crews will remain at stations," or 
 dered the first lieutenant from near the ladder. 
 " Stand by, men. Be ready for instant action." 
 
 "Hurray! the old man won t give it up," 
 cheered " Stump," under his voice. " That s 
 the stuff. Now, if only that measly fog lifts 
 and we get a trifle nearer, we ll do something 
 for the old flag." 
 
 The minutes passed slowly. It was heart 
 breaking work, this waiting and watching, and 
 there was not one of the " Yankee s " crew but 
 would have given a year s pay to have seen the 
 mist lift long enough to bring us within range. 
 
 Suddenly, just as the fervent wish was 
 57
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 trembling on our lips, " Hod Marsh," who was 
 near the port, cried out joyfully: 
 
 " She s fading, fellows, she s fading! " 
 
 Like a theatre curtain being slowly raised, the 
 mist lifted from the surface of the water. Little 
 by little the expanse of ocean became visible, 
 and at last we, who were watching eagerly, saw 
 the hull of a steamer appear, followed by masts 
 and stack and upper rigging. An exclamation 
 of bitter disappointment came from Tommy. 
 " Durned if it ain t an old tramp ! " he groaned. 
 " Fellows, we are sold." 
 
 And so it proved. 
 
 The fog lifted completely in the course of an 
 hour and we secured a good view of our " will o 
 the wisp " of the night s chase. It was a great 
 lumbering tramp, as high out of the water as 
 a barn, and as weather-stained as a homeward- 
 bound whaler. She slouched along like a crab, 
 each roll of the hull showing streaks of marine 
 grass and barnacles. There was little of man-o - 
 war " smartness " in her make-up, of a verity. 
 
 For several days the " Yankee " cruised up 
 and down the coast between Delaware Break 
 water and Block Island. Many vessels were 
 sighted, and on two occasions it was considered 
 expedient to sound " general quarters," but 
 nothing came of it. We finally concluded that 
 58
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 the enemy were fighting shy of the vicinity of 
 New York, and all began to long for orders to 
 the southward. 
 
 Drill followed drill during these waiting days. 
 Target practice was held whenever practicable, 
 and the different guns crews began to feel fa 
 miliar with the rapid-fire rifles. 
 
 The men, accustomed to a life of ease and 
 plenty, found this first month s work an experi 
 ence of unparalleled hardship. 
 
 Their hands, better fitted for the grasp of pen 
 and pencil, were made sore and stiff by the 
 handling of hawsers, chains, and heavy cases. 
 Bandages on hands, feet, and, in some cases, 
 heads, were the popular form of adornment, and 
 the man who did not have some part of his 
 anatomy decorated in this way was looked upon 
 as a " sloper," or one who ran away from 
 work. For how could any one do his share 
 without getting a finger jammed or a toe 
 crushed ? 
 
 The work that was done, too, during this 
 month of cruising along the coasts of Long Isl 
 and and New Jersey was hard and incessant. 
 Drills of all kinds were frequent, and sleep at a 
 premium. 
 
 The " Yankee " at this time was attached to 
 the Northern Patrol Fleet, of which Commodore 
 59
 
 A OUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Howell was the commander. It was her busi 
 ness to cruise along the coast from Block Island 
 south to Delaware Breakwater, and watch for 
 suspicious vessels. This duty made constant 
 movement necessary, and unwearying vigilance 
 on the part of the lookouts imperative. 
 
 Rainy, foggy weather was the rule, and 
 " oilers " and rubber boots the prevailing fashion 
 in overclothing. Sea watches were kept night 
 and day; half of the crew being on duty all the 
 time, and one watch relieving the other every 
 four hours. 
 
 The watch " on deck " or on duty on a stormy 
 night found it very tedious waiting for the 
 " watch below " to come and relieve them. The 
 man who could tell a story or sing a song was in 
 great demand, and the man who could get up 
 a " Yankee " song was a popular hero. The 
 night after our wild goose chase, described in the 
 last chapter, the port watch had the " long 
 watch " ; that is, the watch from 8 p.m. to mid 
 night, and from four to eight the next morning 
 which allowed but four hour s sleep. 
 
 It was raining and the decks were wet and 
 slippery. The water dripped off the rims of 
 our sou westers in dismal fashion, and the fog 
 hung like a blanket around the ship, while the 
 sea lapped her sides unseen. Our fog-horn 
 60
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 tooted at intervals, and everything was as damp, 
 dark, and forlorn as could be. 
 
 A knot of men were gathered under the lee 
 of the after deckhouse, huddled together for 
 warmth and companionship. There was 
 "Stump," "Bill," Potter, and a number of 
 others. 
 
 "Say! can t any one sing, or tell a yarn, or 
 whistle a tune, or dance a jig? " said " Bill " in a 
 muffled tone. " If some one does not start some 
 kind of excitement I will go to sleep in my 
 tracks, and Doctor Gangway says I mustn t 
 sleep out of doors." His speech ended in a fit 
 of coughing and a succession of sneezes. 
 
 " Here, Morse, give us that new song of 
 yours," said " Steve," as another oilskinned 
 figure joined the group. " Morse " and " Steve " 
 were our chief song writers. Each sat on a 
 quarter six-pounder, one on the starboard, the 
 other on the port. " I will, if you chaps will 
 join in the chorus," answered " Morse." " No, 
 thank you," he added, as some one handed him 
 an imaginary glass. " Nature has wet my 
 whistle pretty thoroughly to-night." " Stump," 
 in his most impressive manner, stepped forward, 
 and in true mas ter-of -ceremonies style intro 
 duced our entertainer. He was enlarging on 
 the undoubted merits of the composer and singer, 
 61
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 and had waxed really eloquent, when a strong 
 gust of wind blew the water that lodged in the 
 awning squarely down his neck. This damp 
 ened his ardor but not our spirits. 
 
 " Morse," like the good fellow he was, got up 
 and sang this song to the tune of " Billy Magee 
 Magaw " : 
 
 When the " Yankee " goes sailing home again, 
 
 Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
 We ll forget that we re " Heroes " and just be men, 
 
 Hurrah! Hurrah! 
 
 The girls will giggle, the boys will shout, 
 We ll all get a bath and be washed out, 
 And we ll all feel gay when 
 The " Yankee " goes sailing home. 
 
 The city bells will peal for joy, 
 
 Hurrah! Hurrah! 
 To welcome home each wandering boy, 
 
 Hurrah! Hurrah! 
 
 And all our sisters and cousins and girls 
 Will say " Ain t they darlings ? " and " See the pearls! " 
 So we ll all feel gay when 
 The "Yankee " goes sailing home. 
 
 Our patrolling cruise will soon be o er, 
 
 Hurrah! Hurrah! 
 We ll be happy the moment our feet touch shore, 
 
 Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
 
 And " Cutlets " and " Hubbub " and all the rest 
 May stick to the calling they re fitted for best, 
 But we ll all feel gay when 
 The " Yankee " goes sailing home.
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 Even " Bill " was able to find voice enough to 
 shout " Good! " and give " Morse " a resound 
 ing slap on his wet oilskinned shoulder. The 
 song voiced our sentiments exactly, and cheered 
 us a lot. None of us believed that " Our patrol 
 ling cruise would soon be o er," however, and 
 hardly a man would have taken his discharge 
 had it been offered to him that moment. We 
 had put our names to the enlistment papers and 
 had promised to serve Uncle Sam on his ship the 
 " Yankee " faithfully. We had gone into this 
 thing together, and we would see it through 
 together. Still we would " All feel gay when 
 the Yankee goes sailing home." 
 
 " That reminds me of a story," began Pot 
 ter, when " Long Tommy," the boatswain s 
 mate of the watch, interrupted with, " Potter, 
 take the starboard bridge. I will send a man 
 to relieve you at the end of an hour." So Pot 
 ter went forward to relieve his mate, who had 
 stood an hour of lookout duty on the starboard 
 end of the bridge. 
 
 He went forward, swaying with the motion of 
 the ship, his oilskin trousers making a queer, 
 grating noise as one leg rubbed against the other, 
 and " Stump " said, " I ll bet he won t stay with 
 us long; he talks too much." A prophetic re 
 mark, as future events proved. 
 63
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 The group broke up after this. Some who 
 were not actually on lookout duty went into the 
 hot fire room, and after taking off their outer^ 
 clothing, tried to snatch a few winks of sleep. 
 The " watch on deck " was not allowed to go 
 below at night, so the only shelter allowed us 
 was the fire room and the main companion-way. 
 The latter could hold but a few men, and the 
 only alternative was the fire or " drum " room, 
 into which the heat and gas from the furnaces 
 ascended from the bowels of the ship, making 
 it impossible for a man to breathe the atmos 
 phere there for more than half an hour at a time. 
 The after wheel-house was sometimes taken ad 
 vantage of by the more venturesome of the 
 boys, but the risk was great, for " Cutlets " was 
 continually prowling around, and the man found 
 taking shelter there would receive tongue lash 
 ings hard to bear, with abuse entirely out of 
 proportion to the offence. 
 
 A little before twelve o clock we heard the 
 boatswain s pipe, and the long drawn shout, " On 
 deck all the starboard watch," and " All the star 
 board watch to muster." So we knew that we 
 would soon be relieved, and would be able to 
 take the much-needed four hours sleep in our 
 " sleeping bags," as " Hay " called them. The 
 starboard men came slowly up, rubbing their
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 eyes, buttoning their oilskins, and tying their 
 sou westers on by a string under their chins 
 as they walked. 
 
 " Hurry up there, will you? " calls out a port 
 watch man, as the men of the other watch 
 sleepily climb the ladder. " Get a move on and 
 give us a chance to get out of this beastly wet." 
 A sharp retort is given, and the men move on 
 in the same leisurely way. The men of both 
 watches are hardly in the best of humors. It is 
 not pleasant to be waked up at midnight to stand 
 a four hours watch in the rain and fog, nor is 
 it the most enjoyable thing in life to be delayed, 
 after standing a four hours watch in the rain, 
 realizing all the time that each minute of wait 
 ing takes that precious time from the scant four 
 hours sleep. 
 
 But finally " all the watch " is piped, and we 
 go below and flop into our hammocks, to sleep 
 as soundly and dreamlessly as babies. A sailor 
 will sleep like a dead man through all kinds of 
 noises and calls, but the minute his own watch 
 is called he is wide awake in an instant, from 
 sheer force of habit. 
 
 So when the boatswain s mate went around 
 
 with his pipe, singing out as he dodged in and 
 
 out among the swinging hammocks, " On deck 
 
 all the port watch," each of us jumped out of 
 
 4 65
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 his swaying bed and began to climb into his 
 damp clothes and stiff " oilers." We then made 
 our way through the darkness, often bumping 
 our heads on the bottom of hammocks, and earn 
 ing sleepy but strongly worded rebukes from the 
 occupants; colliding with stanchions, and stub 
 bing our toes on ring bolts and hatch covers. 
 All arrived at length, formed an unsteady line 
 on the forecastle deck, and answered to our 
 names as they were called by the boatswain s 
 mate. So began another day s work on one of 
 Uncle Sam s ships. 
 
 It was Sunday, and after a while the fog lifted 
 and the sun came out strong and clear. All 
 the men who were off duty came on deck to 
 bask in the sun, and to get dried and thawed out. 
 
 " Steve " poked his uncombed, sleepy head 
 through the " booby " hatch cover. " Well, this 
 is something like ! If the old man will let us 
 take it easy after inspection, I won t think life 
 in the navy is so bad after all." 
 
 " Well, inspection and general muster and the 
 reading of the ship s bible will take up most of 
 the morning," said gunner s mate " Patt," as he 
 emerged from the hatch after " Steve," wiping 
 his grimy hands on a wad of waste, for he had 
 been giving the guns a rub. " And if we don t 
 have to go chasing an imaginary Spaniard or 
 66
 
 A. WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 lug coal from the after hold forward, we ll be in 
 luck," he continued. 
 
 " What about the ship s bible ? What is 
 general muster ? " queried half a dozen of us. 
 
 " Why," said " Patt," " the ship s bible is the 
 book of rules and regulations of the United 
 States Navy. It is read once a month to the 
 officers and crew of every ship in the navy. The 
 officers and crew will be mustered aft you ll 
 see the deck force and engineer force on the 
 port side, the petty officers on the starboard side 
 forward, the commissioned officers on the star 
 board side aft, and the marines athwartships aft. 
 This forms three sides to a square. See? " 
 
 " I don t see the use of all this," broke in the 
 irreverent a Kid." " Do we have to stand there 
 and have war articles fired at us? " 
 
 " That s what, Kid, " replied " Patt," good- 
 naturedly. 
 
 " After all hands have taken their places," 
 continued our informant, " the i old man will 
 walk down the galley ladder in that dignified 
 way of his, followed by the executive officer. 
 1 Mother Hubbub will then open the blue-cov 
 ered book that he carries, and read you things 
 that will make your hair stand on end and cause 
 you to consider the best wording for your last 
 will and testament." " Patt " was very impres- 
 67
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 sive, and we stood with open mouths and staring 
 eyes. 
 
 " When old Hubbub opens the book, all 
 hands, even the captain, will take off their hats 
 and stand at attention. Then the war articles 
 will be read to you. You will learn that there 
 are twenty-seven or more offences for which you 
 are liable to be shot such as sleeping on post, 
 desertion, disobedience, wilful waste of Govern 
 ment property, and so forth; you will be told 
 that divine service is recommended whenever 
 possible in short, you are told that you must 
 be good, and that if you are not there will be 
 the deuce to pay. Then the captain will turn 
 to Scully and say, i Pipe down, whereupon 
 Scully and the other bosun s mates will blow a 
 trill on their pipes, and all hands will go about 
 their business." 
 
 So concluded our oracle. 
 
 " Gee whiz! " said the " Kid." " I nearly got 
 into trouble the other night, for I almost dozed 
 when I was on the buoy. I m not used to get 
 ting along on eleven hours sleep in forty-eight 
 yet," he added, apologetically. 
 
 We all looked forward to " general muster " 
 with a good deal of interest, and when it oc 
 curred, and the captain had inspected our per 
 sons, clothes, the ship, and mess gear, we decided
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 that " Patt s " description fitted exactly, and 
 were duly impressed with its solemnity. 
 
 We found to our sorrow that we of Number 
 Eight s crew were not to enjoy sunshine undis 
 turbed, but were soon put to work carrying coal 
 in baskets from the after hold forward, and 
 dumping it in the bunker chutes. 
 
 This work had been going on almost every 
 day, and all day, since we left Tompkinsville. 
 The coal was in the after hold and was needed 
 in the bunkers forward, so every piece had to be 
 shovelled into bushel baskets, hoisted to the gun 
 deck, and carried by hand to the chute leading 
 to the port and starboard bunkers. A dirty job 
 it was, that not only blackened the men, but 
 covered the deck, the mess gear, the paint work, 
 and even the food, with coal dust. 
 
 Number Eight s crew had been at this pleas 
 ant occupation for about an hour, with the cheer 
 ful prospect of another hour of the same diver 
 sion. " Hay " was running the steam winch, 
 " Stump " was pulling the baskets over the 
 hatch coaming as they were hauled up by the 
 winch, and the other five were carrying. 
 
 " Say, this is deadly slow, tiresome work," 
 said " Flagg," who was carrying with me. " I d 
 give almost anything for a little excitement." 
 
 The last word had scarcely been uttered when 
 69
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 there came the sounds of commotion on deck. 
 A voice cried out in sharp command, the rudder 
 chains creaked loudly, the ship heeled over to 
 starboard, and then we who were at the open 
 port saw a long, snaky object shoot out from the 
 edge of the haze and bear down upon us. 
 
 " My heaven! " shouted " Stump," " it s a tor 
 pedo boat! " 
 
 The commotion on deck had given us some 
 warning, but the sudden dash of the long, snaky 
 torpedo boat from out the haze came as a decided 
 shock. For one brief moment we of the after 
 port stood as if turned to stone, then every man 
 ran to his quarters and stood ready to do his 
 duty. With a cry, our second captain sprang to 
 the firing lanyard. Before he could grasp it, 
 however, the officer of the division was at his 
 side. 
 
 "Stop! " he exclaimed authoritatively. 
 
 The interruption was fortunate, for, just then, 
 a swerve of the oncoming torpedo boat revealed 
 a small flag flying from the taffrail staff. It 
 was the American ensign. 
 
 The reaction was great. Forgetting disci 
 pline, we crowded about the port and laughed 
 and cheered like a lot of schoolboys. Potter, in 
 his joy and evident relief, sent his canvas cap 
 sailing through the air. A rebuke, not very 
 70
 
 A WILD GOOSE CHASE. 
 
 stern, however, came from the lieutenant in 
 charge of the division, and we shuffled back to 
 our stations. 
 
 " Cricky! what a sell," exclaimed the second 
 rifleman, grinning. " I was sure we had a big 
 job on our hands this time. I m rather glad it 
 is one of our fellows after all." 
 
 " I m not," spoke up young Potter, bluster- 
 ingly. " "What did we come out here for, hey? 
 I say it s a confounded shame. We might have 
 had a chance to send one of the Spaniards to the 
 bottom." 
 
 " It may be a Dago after all," suggested 
 "Bill," glancing from the port. "The flag 
 doesn t mean anything. They might be flying 
 Old Glory as a ruse de guerre. By George! 
 That craft looks just like the Pluton. " 
 
 We, who were watching, saw Potter s face 
 lengthen. He peered nervously at the rapidly 
 approaching torpedo boat, and then tried to 
 laugh unconcernedly. 
 
 "You can t string me," he retorted. " That s 
 one of your Uncle Samuel s boats all right. See! 
 they are going to hail us." 
 
 A bell clanged in the engine room, then the 
 
 throbbing of the machinery slackened to a slow 
 
 pulsation. The rudder chains rattled in their 
 
 fair-leaders, and presently we were steaming 
 
 71
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 along, with the torpedo craft a score of yards off 
 our midships. 
 
 On the forward deck of the latter stood two 
 officers clad in the uniform of the commissioned 
 service. One placed a speaking trumpet to his 
 lips and called out : 
 
 " Cruiser ahoy! Is that the Yankee ? " 
 
 " You have made a good guess," shouted Cap 
 tain Brownson. " What boat is that? " 
 
 " Talbot from Newport. Any news? 
 Sighted you and thought we would speak you." 
 
 Our commander assured them that we were in 
 search of news ourselves. The " Talbot s " offi 
 cers saluted and then waved a farewell. 
 
 The narrow, low-lying craft spun about in 
 almost her own length, a series of quick puffs of 
 dense black smoke came from the funnels, and 
 then the haze swallowed up the whole fabric. 
 
 We were left to take our discomfiture with 
 what philosophy we could muster. When "se 
 cure " was sounded we left our guns with a sense 
 of great danger averted and a feeling of relief. 
 
 72
 
 CHAPTEK VI. 
 
 WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS. 
 
 The little strip of North American coast be 
 tween Delaware Breakwater and Block Island is 
 very interesting, and, in places, beautiful. The 
 long beaches and bare sand dunes have a solemn 
 beauty all their own. 
 
 Though the boys on the " Yankee " took in 
 and appreciated the loveliness of this bit of 
 coast, they were getting rather familiar with it 
 and somewhat bored. They longed for " pas 
 tures new." 
 
 Summer had almost begun, but still the fog 
 and rain held sway. The ship crept through the 
 night like a big gray ghost dark, swift, and, 
 except in the densest fogs, silent. Pea-coats 
 were an absolute necessity, and woolen gloves 
 would have been a great comfort. All this in 
 the blooming, beautiful month of May! 
 
 One bleak morning the starboard watch was 
 on duty. We of the port watch had turned in 
 at four (or, according to ship s time, eight bells). 
 73
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD TEE "YANKEE." 
 
 We were glad to be between decks, and got 
 under way for the land of Nod without delay. 
 It seemed as if we had been asleep but a few 
 minutes, when "Scully," chief boatswain s mate, 
 came down the gun deck gangway, shouting loud 
 enough to be heard a mile away : " All hands, 
 up all hammocks; " then, as the disposition to 
 get up was not very evident, " Show a leg there; 
 ham and eggs for breakfast." This last was a 
 little pleasantry that never materialized into the 
 much-coveted and long abstained from delicacy. 
 
 The hammocks were lashed up and stowed 
 away in the " nettings," as the lattice-like recep 
 tacles are called, leaving the deck clear for the 
 work of the day. 
 
 Mess gear for the " watch below " had just 
 been piped, and we were glad; even the thought 
 of burnt oatmeal and coffee without milk was 
 pleasant to us. 
 
 The ports were closed and the gun deck was 
 dark and dismal. The fog oozed in through 
 every crack and cranny, and all was very un 
 pleasant. 
 
 Of a sudden there was a sharp reverberation 
 that sounded so much like the report of a big 
 gun that all hands jumped. 
 
 The course of the ship was changed, and the 
 jingle bell sounded. The " Yankee " forged on 
 74
 
 WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS. 
 
 at full speed in the direction from which the 
 sound had come. 
 
 We all stood in expectant attitudes, listening 
 for another report. We had about made up our 
 minds that our ears had deceived us, when an 
 other explosion, louder and nearer than the first, 
 reached us. 
 
 On we rushed toward what we knew not 
 through a fog so thick that the water could be 
 seen but dimly from the spar deck. 
 
 The suspense was hard to bear, and the desire 
 to do something almost irresistible. The men 
 unconsciously took their regular stations for 
 action, the guns crews gathered round their 
 guns, the powder divisions in the neighborhood 
 of the ammunition hoists. 
 
 " I wish Potter was here," said " Stump." " I 
 rather think he would be white around the gills. 
 This sort of business would give him a bad case 
 of cold feet. " 
 
 " Oh, he had cold feet a few days after 
 we left New York, and wrote to his friends to 
 get his discharge," said "Bill." "Got it and 
 quit two weeks after we left New York, the 
 duffer," added " Hay." 
 
 The " Yankee " still steamed on into the bank 
 of fog. 
 
 " Cupid," the ship s bugler, began to play the 
 75
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 call for general quarters, but was stopped by a 
 sharp command from the bridge. 
 
 What was it all about? Was it to be tragedy 
 or farce? 
 
 Then Scully came down the starboard gang 
 way, a broad smile on his ruddy face. 
 
 A clamoring group gathered round him in 
 stantly. " What is it? " " Is the old man 
 playing a joke on us? " " Do you suppose Cer- 
 vera has got over to this side?" "Scully," 
 overwhelmed with questions, put up his hands 
 protestingly. 
 
 " No, no; none of those things," said he. 
 " What do you suppose we have been doing for 
 the last twenty minutes? " 
 
 We confessed we did not know. 
 
 " Chasing thunder claps nothing more nor 
 less than thunder claps! And we ll see nothing 
 worse on this coast," he added sententiously, as 
 soon as he could get his breath. 
 
 The wind rose, and while it blew away the 
 fog in part, it kicked up a nasty sea, in which 
 the " Yankee " wallowed for hours, waiting for 
 the fog to clear enough to make the channel and 
 enter New York harbor. It seemed we had been 
 heading for New York, and we did not know it. 
 It was not the custom aboard that hooker to give 
 the men any information. 
 76
 
 WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS. 
 
 When we learned for sure that we were bound 
 for New York, our joy was beyond measure. 
 
 Shore leave was the chief topic of conversa 
 tion. And every man not on duty went down 
 into his black bag, fished out his clean blues, and 
 set to work sewing on watch marks and cap 
 ribbons. For Jack must be neat and clean 
 when he goes ashore. 
 
 The mud-hook was dropped in the bay off 
 Tompkinsville, Thursday, May 26th, seventeen 
 days after we left the navy yard. It seemed 
 seventeen months. 
 
 An " anchor watch " of sixteen men was set 
 for the night, and most of us turned in early to 
 enjoy the first good sleep for many weary days. 
 
 All hands were turned out at five o clock. 
 We woke to find a big coal barge on either side 
 of the ship. 
 
 After breakfast the order " turn to " was 
 given. " All hands coal ship, starboard watch 
 on the starboard lighter, port watch on the port 
 lighter." From seven o clock in the morning 
 till twelve o clock that night, the crew of the 
 " Yankee " aforetime lawyers, physicians, lit 
 erary men, brokers, merchants, students, and 
 clerks men who had never done any harder 
 work than play football, or row in a shell 
 coaled ship without any rest, other than the 
 77
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 three half hours at meal times. About the hard 
 est, dirtiest work a man could do. 
 
 The navy style of coaling is different from 
 that customary in the merchant service. In the 
 latter, the dirty work is done in the quickest, 
 easiest way possible. The ship is taken to a coal 
 wharf and the coal is slid down in chutes, or 
 barges are run alongside and great buckets, 
 hoisted by steam, swing the black lumps into the 
 hold or bunker. 
 
 The navy style, as practised on the " Yankee," 
 was quite different. The barges were brought 
 alongside, the men divided into gangs some to 
 go in the hold of the barge, some to go on the 
 platforms, some to carry on the ship herself. 
 The barge gang shovelled the coal into bushel 
 baskets; these were carried to the men on the 
 stages; and the latter passed them from one to 
 the other, to the gun deck; finally, the gang on 
 the vessel carried the baskets to the bunker holes, 
 and dumped them, ^he ship was well provided 
 with hoisting machines, but, for some reason, 
 this help was not permitted us. 
 
 It was a long, inexpressibly dreary day s work, 
 and though undertaken cheerfully and with less 
 complaining than would have been believed pos 
 sible, the drudgery of it was a thing not easily 
 forgotten. Before the day had ended, all hope 
 78
 
 WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS. 
 
 of getting ashore was lost, for we were told that 
 no liberty would be given. 
 
 The following day and half of our stay in 
 New York harbor was spent in the same way 
 shovelling, lifting, and carrying coal. The eyes 
 of many of us were gladdened by the sight of 
 friends and relatives, who were allowed aboard 
 when mess gear was piped, and put off when 
 " turn to " sounded. We were pleased to see 
 our friends, but our friends, on the contrary, 
 seemed shocked to see us. One dainty girl came 
 aboard, and, as she came up the gangway, asked 
 for a forecastle man. The word was passed for 
 him. He had just finished his stint of coaling, 
 and was as black as a negro. In his haste to 
 see his sister, he neglected to clean up, and ap 
 peared before her in his coal heaver s make-up. 
 
 "You, Will? I won t believe it! I won t, 
 I won t, I won t! " And for a second she cov 
 ered her face with her hands. Then she picked 
 o,ut the cleanest spot on his grimy countenance 
 and kissed him there, while we looked on in 
 envy. 
 
 The " Yankee " at last receiving orders to sail 
 for the front, left Tompkinsville May 29th. 
 We passed out of the Narrows with a feeling of 
 relief. The work we had just finished was the 
 hardest we had ever experienced. It was par- 
 79
 
 A OUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 ticularly tantalizing because we were almost in 
 sight of our homes, but could not visit them. 
 A starving man suffers more from hunger if 
 pleasant food is placed within sight, but beyond 
 his reach. 
 
 However, we were to go to the front at last, 
 and we rejoiced at the prospect of being really 
 useful to our country. 
 
 The following day, Decoration Day, dawned 
 pleasantly, both wind and weather being all that 
 could be desired. 
 
 Directly after dinner we were sent to quarters 
 for target practice. The target was dropped 
 astern, and the ship steamed ahead to the re 
 quired distance. Word was given to the marines 
 manning the six-pounders to prove their skill. 
 
 The port forecastle six-pounder, using a shell 
 containing cordite, a powerful English explosive, 
 was in charge of a marine corporal named J. J. 
 Murray, who acted as captain of the gun. After 
 firing several rounds with marked success, Mur 
 ray saw that the gun was loaded for another 
 trial. 
 
 Standing at the breech, he steadied the gun 
 with his left arm and shoulder, seized the pistol- 
 grip, placed his finger on the trigger, and then 
 slowly and carefully brought the target within 
 the sighting line in readiness to fire. 
 80
 
 WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS. 
 
 The other members of the gun s crew were 
 at their proper stations. Numbers 2 and 3, 
 respectively second captain and first loader and 
 shellman, were directly behind the corporal. 
 They saw him steady the piece again, take an 
 other careful aim, then noted that his finger 
 gave a quick tug at the trigger. 
 
 The result was a dull click but no explo 
 sion. 
 
 The corporal stepped back from his place in 
 vexation. He had succeeded in getting a fine 
 " bead " just as the cartridge failed. 
 
 "Blast the English ammunition!" he ex 
 claimed. " It s no good." 
 
 The other men at the gun nodded approval. 
 Their experience bore out the corporal s asser 
 tion. They also knew that the cordite car 
 tridges were not adapted to American guns, and 
 should not have been used. But they were 
 marines and they were accustomed to obey 
 orders without comment. 
 
 Captain Brownson had noticed the incident 
 and he sent word to delay opening the breech 
 block until all danger of explosion had passed. 
 After waiting some time, Corporal Murray pro 
 ceeded to extract the shell. He took his place 
 at the breech, while No. 2 unlocked the plug 
 and swung it open. 
 
 5 81
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 " Now we ll see what is the matter," he be 
 gan. " I guess it is another case of 
 
 He never finished the sentence. With a 
 frightful roar the defective cartridge exploded, 
 sending fragments of shell and parts of the 
 breech-block into the corporal s face and chest. 
 He was hurled with terrific force to the deck, 
 where he lav motionless, mortally wounded. 
 
 Numbers 2 and 3 of the unfortunate gun s 
 crew did not escape, the former being struck 
 down with the hand lever, which penetrated 
 his arm. The injured men received prompt 
 attention from the surgeon and his assistants, 
 but Corporal Murray was beyond mortal aid. 
 He died ten minutes after the accident. 
 
 He was a good soldier, jolly and light-hearted, 
 and a great favorite with the crew. The pecu 
 liar feeling of antagonism which is supposed 
 to exist between the sailors and marines did not 
 obtain in his case. 
 
 In the navy the hammock which serves the 
 living as a bed by night is also their coffin 
 and their shroud. It so served Corporal Mur 
 ray. 
 
 Shortly after four bells (six o clock) on the 
 evening of the day on which the accident oc 
 curred, the boatswain s mate sent the shrill 
 piping of his whistle echoing through the ship,
 
 " WITH A FRIGHTFUL ROAU THE DEFECTIVE CARTRIDGE 
 
 EXPLODED" (page 82).
 
 WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS. 
 
 following it with the words, doleful and long 
 drawn out: 
 
 " All hands shif t-f t-ft into clean-n-n blue and 
 stand by to bury the dead-d-d! " 
 
 When the crew assembled on the gun deck in 
 obedience to the call, the sun was just disappear 
 ing beyond the edge of the distant horizon. Its 
 last rays entered the open port, showing to us 
 the dead man s figure outlined under an Ameri 
 can flag. The body had been placed upon a 
 grating in front of an open port, and several men 
 were stationed close by in readiness to launch it 
 into the sea. 
 
 The ceaseless swaying of the ship in the 
 trough of the sea, the engines having been 
 stopped, set the lines of blue uniformed men 
 swinging and nodding, and, as the surgeon, Dr. 
 McGowan, read the Episcopal service, it seemed 
 in the half light as if every man were keeping 
 time with the cadence. 
 
 The words of the service, beautiful and im 
 pressive under such novel circumstances, echoed 
 and whispered along the deck, and at the sen 
 tence, " We commit this body to the deep," the 
 grating was raised gently and, with a peculiar 
 swish, the body, heavily weighted, slid down to 
 the water s edge and plunged sullenly into the 
 sea. A moment more and the service was fin- 
 83
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 ished, the bugler sounding " pipe down." A 
 salute, three times repeated, was fired by sixteen 
 men of the marine guard. 
 
 The voyage down the coast was utilized in 
 making good men-o -war s men of the " Yan 
 kee s " crew. Captain Brownson believes thor 
 oughly in the efficacy of drill, and he lost no 
 time in living up to his belief. When all the 
 circumstances are taken into consideration, the 
 task allotted to the captain of the " Yankee " 
 by the fortunes of war, was both peculiar and 
 difficult. 
 
 On his return from Europe, where he had 
 been sent to select vessels for the improvised 
 navy, he was ordered by the Navy Department 
 at Washington to take command of the auxiliary 
 cruiser " Yankee." This meant that he was to 
 assume charge of a ship hastily converted from 
 an ordinary merchant steamer, and to fight the 
 battles of his country with a crew composed of 
 youths and men whose whole life and training 
 had hitherto followed totally different lines. 
 
 It was a " licking of raw material into shape " 
 with a vengeance. 
 
 When the " Chesapeake " sailed forth to fight 
 her disastrous battle with the British ship 
 " Shannon," her crew was made up of men un- 
 84
 
 WE BECOME COAL HEAVERS. 
 
 trained in the art of war. The result was the 
 most humiliating naval defeat in the history of 
 the United States. The same fate threatened 
 Captain Brownson. There was this difference 
 in the cases, however. The " Chesapeake " had 
 little time for drilling, while the " Yankee " was 
 fully six weeks in commission before her first 
 shot was fired in action. Every minute of those 
 six weeks was utilized. 
 
 During the trip down the coast from New 
 York general quarters were held each day, and 
 target practice whenever the weather permitted. 
 In addition to these drills the crew was exercised 
 in man and arm boats, abandon ship, fire drill, 
 infantry drill, and the many exercises pro 
 vided by the naval regulations. Before the 
 " Yankee " had been in the Gulf Stream two 
 days, the various guns crews were almost letter- 
 perfect at battery work. As it happened, the 
 value of good drilling was soon to be demon 
 strated. 
 
 As we neared Cuba, the theatre of our hopes 
 and expectations, we were scarcely able to con 
 trol ourselves. The bare possibility of seeing 
 real war within a few days made every man the 
 victim of a consuming impatience. Rumors of 
 every description were rife, and the many weird 
 and impossible tales invented by the ship s cook 
 85
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 and the captain s steward the men-o -war ora 
 cles would have put even Baron Munchausen 
 to the blush. 
 
 The Rumor Committee, otherwise known 
 as the " Scuttle-butt Navigators," to which every 
 man on board was elected a life member the 
 moment he promulgated a rumor, was soon ac 
 tively engaged, and it was definitely settled that 
 the " Yankee " was to become the flagship of the 
 whole fleet, our captain made Lord High Ad 
 miral, and the whole Spanish nation swept off 
 the face of the globe, in about thirteen and a 
 half seconds by the chronometer. 
 
 86
 
 CHAPTEK VII. 
 
 WE ENTER THE " THEATRE OF WAR." 
 
 The shrill pipe of the bosun s whistle, followed 
 by the order " All hands to muster," reached 
 our ears a day or two out from New York. We 
 were enjoying an hour of well-earned leisure, 
 so it was with reluctance that we obeyed and 
 went aft on the gun deck. All hands are seldom 
 called to muster, so we knew that something of 
 importance was in the wind. 
 
 After the three^sided hollow square had been 
 formed, the captain appeared. The small men 
 stood on tip-toe, and the tall men craned their 
 necks. 
 
 " We are about to enter the theatre of war," 
 said the captain, in his sharp, decisive way, 
 " and I expect every man to do his duty, to re 
 double his efforts to preserve discipline, to per 
 fect drills. Drills will, of a necessity, be fre 
 quent and hard. I would have you understand 
 that our best protection is the fire from our own 
 87
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 guns. The more rapid and accurate our fire, 
 the safer we shall be. Pipe down." 
 
 After we had been dismissed, the men formed 
 little groups and discussed the captain s speech. 
 
 " I like the old man s talk," said the " Kid," 
 condescendingly ; " it s to the point and short. 
 But how in the name of common sense are we 
 going to find time to drill with more frequency? 
 Three times a day and once or more at night, 
 allows us just about time enough to eat and do 
 the necessary routine work, to say nothing about 
 sleeping. Clear ship, general quarters, and fire 
 drill during the day, and general quarters after 
 ten last night. That s already somewhat fre 
 quent, methinks," he concluded, suppressing a 
 yawn. 
 
 " Well, if we are to have any scraps," said 
 " Bill," " we certainly must know how to work 
 the ship and the guns. For, as the skipper said, 
 our own fire is our best protection. 
 
 We bowled along at a good fifteen-knot gait, 
 day after day and night after night. The 
 weather was magnificent and the climate delight 
 ful. It was full moon, and such a moon as few 
 of us had seen before so bright that letters 
 could be and were written by her silvery light. 
 
 Though drills of all sorts were of constant oc 
 currence, there were times after mess when we 
 88
 
 WE ENTER THE "THEATRE OF WAR." 
 
 could caulk off" and enjoy the glorious weather. 
 Our experience of bad weather along the coast 
 of New Jersey and Long Island had given us 
 keen zest for the good conditions we were now 
 enjoying. We were sailing along in the warm 
 waters of the Gulf Stream the Gulf weed pecu 
 liar to that current slipping by as we forged 
 through it. " Stump," " Dye/ of Number 
 Eight s gun crew, a witty chap and a good singer, 
 " Hay," and I were leaning over the taffrail, 
 looking into the swirling water made by the 
 propeller s thrust, when " Dye " remarked : 
 " This is the queerest water I ever saw in all 
 my days; it looks like the bluing water our 
 laundress used to make, with the suds mixed 
 in." 
 
 The smooth sea was dark and clear as could 
 be, but where churned by the propeller it turned 
 to the color of turquoise. 
 
 " I really believe," said " Bill," as he joined 
 the group, " that we could use it to turn our 
 whites blue." 
 
 It was a delight and marvel to us all; we 
 would have liked nothing better than to have 
 spent hours gazing at these wonderful colors. 
 
 As we stood absorbed in the sight before us, 
 we were interrupted by the short, sharp ringing 
 of the ship s bell a dozen or more strokes given 
 89
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 in quick succession followed, after a short pause, 
 by two more strokes. 
 
 Some one shouted "Fire, boys!" and all 
 hands rushed for their stations some to the 
 hose-reel, some below to the gun deck to close 
 the ports, and some to the berth deck to receive 
 the hose when it came down. We did not know 
 whether it was drill or actual fire, but the skip 
 per s talk of the night before gave us unusual 
 energy, and the preparations were made in 
 record time. The canvas hose was pulled along 
 the deck with a swish, the nozzle grasped by the 
 waiting hands below and carried with a run 
 away aft on the berth deck. The fire was sup 
 posed to be raging at this point, as was indi 
 cated by the two last strokes of the alarm 
 signal. 
 
 While the hose was being led out, sturdy arms 
 tugged at the port lanyards and pulled them to. 
 Others battened down the hatches, to keep the 
 draught from adding fury to the flames. 
 
 All this was done in less time than it takes to 
 tell it, and the men stood at their posts, per 
 spiring and panting from the quick work. 
 
 We had hardly time to catch our breath when 
 the order " Abandon ship " was heard. Imme 
 diately there was a scurry of feet, and a rush for 
 the upper deck; but some stayed below to carry 
 90
 
 These circles indicate the red and white lights of the Ardois " 
 system of night-signalling. They are four in number, hung one 
 below the other on the foremast. They are lighted by electricity, 
 and any or all may be turned on at will. 
 
 A B C I) E F G H 
 
 oo*o*o* 
 0*0000*0 
 o o o o 
 o o 
 
 J 
 
 L M 
 
 o o o 
 o o o 
 o o 
 
 NO P Q R S T I T V W X Y Z 
 
 *o**ooo***o*o 
 
 o o o o 
 o o o o o o 
 o 0*00 
 
 1 2 
 
 9 10 
 
 O *O O * 
 
 O 0O O O 
 O*OO O 
 OO *O *O 
 
 > 
 
 O 
 
 O 
 
 The whole wigwag system of signalling is made up of these three motions : to the right, 
 one ; to the left, two ; in front, three. The code will be found in the Appendix.
 
 WE ENTER THE " THEATRE OF WAR" 
 
 ship s bread and canned meats to the boats two 
 eases of bread and two cases of meat for the 
 large boats, and one case of each for the smaller. 
 The crews and passengers of each boat gathered 
 near it. Every man had been assigned to a boat 
 either as crew or passenger, and when the order 
 " abandon ship " was given, every one knew 
 instantly where to go for refuge. 
 
 Though we had already gone through this 
 " fire drill " and " abandon ship " (one always 
 followed the other), it had then been done in 
 peaceful waters and in a perfunctory way. Now 
 that we were entering " the theatre of war," we 
 felt the seriousness of it all, and realized that 
 what was now a mere drill might become a 
 stern reality. 
 
 The order " Secure " was given; the hose was 
 reeled up, the ports opened, and the provisions 
 returned to their places in hold and store room. 
 The men went to their quarters, and so stood 
 till the bugler blew " retreat." 
 
 The time not devoted to drills was taken up 
 in getting the ship ready for the serious work 
 she was to undertake. 
 
 All woodwork on the gun deck not in actual 
 
 use was carried below or thrown overboard, and 
 
 the great cargo booms were either taken down 
 
 and stowed safely away, where the splinters 
 
 91
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 would not be dangerous, or were covered with 
 canvas. 
 
 These preparations had a sinister look that 
 made us realize, if we had not done so before, 
 that this was real war that we were about to 
 engage in no sham battle or manoeuvres. 
 
 The men went about their work more quietly 
 and thoughtfully, for one and all now under 
 stood their responsibilities. If the ship made a 
 record for herself, the crew would get a large 
 share of the credit; and if she failed to do the 
 work cut out for her, on the crew would be laid 
 the blame. If the men behind the guns and the 
 men running the engines did not do their work 
 rapidly and well, disaster and disgrace would 
 follow. 
 
 As we neared the scene of conflict, the dis 
 cipline grew more and more strict. Before a 
 man realized that he had done anything wrong, 
 his name would be called by the master-at-arms 
 and he would be hauled " up to the mast " for 
 trial. 
 
 " You ought to see the gang up at the mast," 
 said " Stump," one bright afternoon. " Mac 
 and Hod Marsh have gathered enough extra 
 duty men to do all the dirty work for a month." 
 
 " What were you doing up there?" asked a 
 bystander. 
 
 92
 
 WE ENTER THE "THEATRE OF WAR." 
 
 " Why, I thought I heard my name called, 
 and as discretion is the better part of valor, I 
 lined up with the rest, and I was glad I did, too, 
 for it was good sport." 
 
 " Maybe you thought it was sport, but how 
 about the chaps that were pinched ? Who 
 was up before the skipper, anyhow? " 
 
 " Oh, there was a big gang up there I can t 
 remember them all; Lucky Bag Kennedy was 
 there, for being late at general quarters the 
 other day. When the captain looked at him in 
 that fierce way of his and asked what he had to 
 say for himself, Lucky Bag said he didn t 
 realize the time. The skipper could hardly keep 
 his face straight. Four hours, he said, and 
 that was all there was to it." 
 
 " Poor Lucky Bag, " came from all sides as 
 " Stump " paused to take breath. 
 
 " Then there was Big Bill, the water ten 
 der," continued " Stump." " He was hauled up 
 for appearing on the spar deck without a uni 
 form. When the skipper asked him what he 
 had to say for himself, Big Bill cleared his 
 throat with a woof you know how it sounds: 
 the ship shakes and trembles when he does it 
 and the old man fairly tottered under the 
 blast. Big Bill explained that he could not 
 get a uniform big enough for him, because the
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 paymaster could not fit him out. The captain 
 almost grinned when he heard the excuse, and 
 ( Big Bill well, he enjoyed the situation, I ll 
 bet a month s pay." 
 
 There was a little pause here, and we heard 
 a great voice rumbling from below. Then we 
 knew that " Big Bill " was telling his intimates 
 all about it, embellishing the story as only he 
 could do. 
 
 We laughed sympathetically as the shouts of 
 glee rose to our ears. We had all enjoyed his 
 good-humored Irish wit. 
 
 " Well, who else was in trouble this after 
 noon, Stump ? " said " Mourner," the inquisi 
 tive. 
 
 " Oh, a lot of unfortunate duffers. Several 
 who were put on the report for being slow in 
 lashing up their hammocks got a couple of hours 
 extra duty each. One or two were there because 
 they had clothes in the lucky bag they had 
 left them round the decks somewhere, and the 
 master-at-arms had grabbed them. The owners 
 had to go on the report to get the clothes out. 
 It cost them a couple of hours each." 
 
 " Well, how did you get out of it? " said I, 
 when " Stump " paused to breathe. 
 
 " I was nearly scared to death," he continued, 
 after a minute or two. " My name was not 
 94
 
 WE ENTER THE "THEATRE OF WAR." 
 
 called, and the rank thinned out till there were 
 only a few of us left. I began to think that 
 some special punishment was being reserved for 
 me, and that the captain was waiting so he could 
 think it over. "What my offence was I could 
 not imagine; my conscience was clear, I vow. 
 As I stood there in the sun I thought over the 
 last few days, and made a confession to myself, 
 but couldn t think of anything very wicked. 
 Had I unintentionally blocked a marine sentry s 
 way and thus interfered with him in the per 
 formance of his duty? I had visions at this 
 point of myself in the brig, existing on bread 
 and water. Had I inadvertently gone into 
 Cutlet s pet after wheel-house? I was in a 
 brown study, conjuring up imaginary misdeeds, 
 when a voice sounded in my ear : ( Here, my 
 man ; what do you want ? I looked around, 
 dazed, at the captain, who stood by, the closed 
 report book in his hand. Then I realized that 
 my being there was a mistake, so I saluted and 
 said, Nothing, sir. 
 
 "That s a very nice tale," said "Dye." "We ll 
 have to get ( Mac to verify it." 
 
 "It s straight," protested "Stump." "Ask 
 the skipper himself if you want to." 
 
 The old boat ploughed her way through the 
 blue waters of the Gulf Stream at the rate of 
 95
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 from fourteen to fifteen knots an hour. The 
 skies were clear and the sun warm and bright 
 a <x>ol breeze tempered its heat and made life 
 bearable. The ship rolled lazily in the long 
 swell and the turquoise wake boiled astern. "We 
 steamed for days without sighting a sail or a 
 light; we were " alone on a wide, wide sea." At 
 times schools of dolphins would race and shoot 
 up out of the water alongside, much to our glee. 
 All the beauties of these tropical waters were 
 new to us. Every school of flying fish and flock 
 of Mother Carey s chickens brought crowds to 
 the rail. The sunsets were glorious, though all 
 too short, and the sunrises, if less appreciated, 
 just as fine. 
 
 At night the guns crews of the " watch on 
 deck " slept round their loaded guns, one man of 
 each crew always standing guard. The men of 
 the powder divisions manned the lookout posts. 
 
 All hands were in good spirits, calmed some 
 what, however, by the thought that soon we 
 might be in the thick of battle, the outcome of 
 which no man could tell. 
 
 It was during this voyage that friendships, 
 begun on the Block Island-Barnegat cruise, were 
 cemented. The life aboard ship tended to " show 
 up " a man as he really was. His good and bad 
 qualities appeared so that all might see. Was 
 96
 
 WE ENTER THE "THEATRE OF WAR." 
 
 he good-natured, even-tempered, thoughtful, his 
 mates knew it at once and liked him. Was he 
 quick-tempered, selfish, uncompanionable, it was 
 quite as evident, and he had few friends. Ster 
 ling and unsuspected qualities were brought out 
 in many of the men. 
 
 Every man felt that we must and would stand 
 together, and with a will do our work, be it 
 peaceful or warlike. 
 
 Where were we bound? Were we to join the 
 Havana blockading fleet? Were we destined 
 for despatch and scout duty? Or were we to 
 take part in actual conflict? 
 
 It was while we were settling these questions 
 to our own satisfaction on the morning of June 
 2d, that a hail came from the lookout at the 
 masthead forward. 
 
 " Land O ! " he shouted, waving his cap. 
 "Hurray! it s Cuba!" 
 
 The navigator, whose rightful surname had 
 been converted by the facetious Naval Reserves 
 into " Cutlets," for reasons of their own, lost no 
 time in rebuking the too enthusiastic lookout. 
 
 " Aloft, there, you measly lubber ! What in 
 thunder do you mean? Have you sighted 
 land? " 
 
 " Ye-es, sir-r," quavered the lookout. 
 
 (( Then why don t you say so without adding 
 7 97
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 any conjectures of your own? " commented the 
 irascible Lieutenant " Cutlets," severely. 
 
 The rest of the crew were too deeply inter 
 ested in the vague streak of color on the horizon 
 to pay any attention to the " wigging " of the 
 man at the masthead. We knew that the dun- 
 hued streak rising from the blue shadows of the 
 ocean was Cuba, and we could think or talk of 
 nothing else. 
 
 Somewhere beyond that towering mountain 
 was Santiago, the port in which the flea-like 
 squadron of Admiral Cervera was bottled up, 
 and there was a deadly fear in our hearts that 
 the wily Spaniard would sally forth to battle 
 before we could join our fleet. 
 
 We pictured to ourselves the gray mountain 
 massed high about the narrow entrance of Santi 
 ago Bay, the picturesque Morro Castle, squat 
 ting like a grim giant above the strait, and 
 outside, tossing and bobbing upon the swell of 
 a restless sea, the mighty semicircle of drab 
 ships waiting, yearning for the outcoming of the 
 Dons. We of the " Yankee," I repeat, were in 
 an agony of dread that we would arrive too 
 late. 
 
 Cape Maysi, the scene of many an adven 
 turous filibustering expedition, was passed at 
 high noon, and at eight bells in the evening the 
 98
 
 WE ENTER THE "THEATRE OF WAR." 
 
 anchor was dropped off Mole St. Nicholas, a 
 convenient port in the island of Hayti. As we 
 steamed into the harbor we passed close to the 
 auxiliary cruiser " St. Louis." 
 
 The anchor was scarcely on the bottom when 
 the gig was called away. We awaited the re 
 turn of Captain Brownson with impatience. The 
 news he brought was reassuring, however. 
 Nothing of moment had occurred since our 
 departure from New York. Within an hour 
 we were again out at sea, this time en route 
 to Santiago. 
 
 There was little sleep on board that night, 
 and when morning dawned, every man who 
 could escape from below was on deck watching, 
 waiting for the first glimpse of Admiral Samp 
 son s fleet. Shortly after daylight, the squad 
 ron was sighted. The scene was picturesque in 
 the extreme. 
 
 The gray of early dawn was just giving way 
 before the first rays of a tropical sun. Almost 
 hidden in the mist hovering about the coast were 
 a number of vague spots seemingly arranged in 
 a semicircle, the base of which was the green- 
 covered tableland fronting Santiago. The spots 
 were tossing idly upon a restless sea, and, as the 
 sun rose higher, each gradually assumed the 
 shape of a marine engine of war. Beyond them 
 99
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 was a stretch of sandy, surf-beaten coast, and 
 directly fronting the centre ship could be seen 
 a narrow cleft in the hill the gateway leading 
 to the ancient city of Santiago de Cuba. 
 
 As we steamed in closer to the fleet we saw 
 indications that something of importance had 
 occurred or was about to occur. Steam launches 
 and torpedo boats were dashing about between 
 the ships, strings of parti-colored bunting 
 flaunted from the signal halliards of the flagship 
 " New York," and nearer shore could be seen 
 one of the smaller cruisers evidently making a 
 reconnaissance. 
 
 " We are just in time, Russ," exclaimed 
 "Stump," jubilantly. "The fleet is getting 
 ready for a scrap. And we ll be right in it." 
 
 I edged toward the bridge. The first news 
 would come from that quarter. Several minutes 
 later, Captain Brownson, who had been watch 
 ing the signals with a powerful glass, closed the 
 instrument with a snap, and cried out to the 
 executive officer: 
 
 " Hubbard, you will never believe it." 
 
 "What s happened?" 
 
 The reply was given so low that I could catch 
 only a few words, but it was enough to send me 
 scurrying aft at the top of my speed. The news 
 was startling indeed. 
 
 100
 
 STAND BY, MEN. BE READY FOR INSTANT ACTION 
 
 (page 57).
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET. 
 
 As the " Yankee " steamed in toward the 
 blockading fleet off the entrance to Santiago 
 harbor, the scurrying torpedo boats and the 
 many little launches darting here and there like 
 so many beetles on a pond, became more ap 
 parent, and it was plainly evident to all that 
 something of great importance had recently 
 happened. 
 
 The scattered remarks made by Captain 
 Brownson on the bridge formed, when pieced 
 together, such a wonderful bit of news that I 
 could scarcely contain myself as I hurried aft. 
 I wanted to stop and fling my cap into the air. 
 I felt like dancing a jig and hurrahing and 
 offering praise for the fact that I was an 
 American. 
 
 As it happened, I was not the only member 
 
 of the " Yankee s " crew that had overheard 
 
 the " old man s " words. The second captain 
 
 of the after port five-inch gun, a jolly good fel- 
 
 101
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 low, known familiarly as " Hay " by the boys, 
 chanced to be under the bridge. As I raced aft 
 on the port side he started in the same direction 
 on the starboard side of the spar deck. His legs 
 fairly twinkled, and he beat me to the gangway 
 by a neck. 
 
 " What do you think? " I heard him gasp as 
 I came up. "Talk of your heroes! Whoop! 
 Say, I m glad I am a son of that old flag aft 
 there. It s the greatest thing that ever hap 
 pened." 
 
 " What? " chorused a dozen voices. 
 
 " Last night " 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Last night a volunteer crew " 
 
 " Hurry up, will you? " 
 
 " Last night, or rather early this morning, a 
 volunteer crew, under the command of a naval 
 constructor named Hobson, took the collier 
 * Merrimac into the mouth of the harbor 
 and " 
 
 " That old tub? " interrupted a marine who 
 had served in the regular navy, incredulously. 
 " Why, she s nothing but a hulk. She hasn t 
 a gun or " 
 
 "She didn t go in to fight," said "Hay." 
 " They were to block up the channel with her." 
 
 "To block up the channel?" 
 102
 
 WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET. 
 
 " Yes. Cervera and his fleet are in the harbor, 
 you know, and the scheme was to keep them 
 from coming out." 
 
 " Did they succeed? " chorused the whole 
 group of eager listeners. 
 
 " Yes, but " 
 
 The conclusion of "Hay s" sentence was 
 drowned in a wild whoop of joy, a whoop that 
 brought a number of other " Yankees " to the 
 spot, and also a gesture of remonstrance from 
 the executive officer on the bridge. 
 
 "Wait, boys," I said, gently; "you haven t 
 heard all." 
 
 There was quiet at once. 
 
 " Hobson and his brave men succeeded in 
 accomplishing their object, but they have paid 
 the penalty for it." 
 
 " Not dead ? " asked one in almost a whisper. 
 
 " So the captain read the signals. The Mer- 
 rimac went in about three o clock this morning. 
 It seems she reached the channel all right, but 
 she was discovered and sent to the bottom with 
 all on board." 
 
 " Hay " took off his cap reverently, and the 
 others instantly followed his example. Nothing 
 more was said. The glory of the deed was over 
 shadowed by the supposed fate of the gallant 
 volunteer crew. 
 
 103
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 The " Yankee " steamed in to a position desig 
 nated by the flagship, and the captain went 
 aboard to pay his respects to Admiral Sampson. 
 A Spanish tug, flying a flag of truce, which had 
 emerged from the harbor at noon, met one of 
 our tugs, also flying a flag of truce, and almost 
 immediately a string of signals went up to the 
 signal yard of the " New York." 
 
 Then came such a burst of cheers and 
 whistling and tossing of hats from every ship 
 in the fleet that it seemed as if every officer 
 and sailor in Sampson s squadron had suddenly 
 gone daft. Like wildfire, the glorious news 
 spread 
 
 Hobson and his men were safe! 
 
 The tug from the harbor had brought an offi 
 cer sent by Admiral Cervera himself with a mes 
 sage stating that the brave naval constructor 
 and all his crew had been captured alive and 
 were now prisoners in Morro Castle. Later, a 
 press boat came alongside and confirmed the 
 news through a megaphone. 
 
 The excitement on board the " Yankee," like 
 that throughout the fleet, was tremendous. 
 Those in the North who had received both the 
 news of the feat and the rescue at the same time, 
 can hardly understand the revulsion of feeling 
 which swept through the American ships gath- 
 104
 
 WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET. 
 
 ered off Santiago. It was like hearing from a 
 supposed dead friend. 
 
 These heroes were comrades nay, brothers. 
 They wore the blue and they were fighting for 
 Old Glory. Their praise was ours and their 
 deed redounded to the eternal credit and fame 
 of the American navy. Small wonder that we 
 welcomed the news of their safety, and cheered 
 until our throats were husky and our eyes wet 
 with something more than mere exertion. 
 
 All hail to Richmond Pearson Hobson and 
 his men! 
 
 Heroes all! 
 
 During the afternoon of our arrival, when 
 we finally secured time to look about us, we were 
 struck with the appearance of the really formi 
 dable fleet of warships collected under Admiral 
 Sampson s flag. For size of individual ships 
 and weight of armor and armament, there had 
 never been anything in the history of the United 
 States to equal it. 
 
 The fleet consisted of the powerful battleships 
 "Iowa," "Indiana," "Massachusetts," and 
 " Texas," the two splendid armored cruisers 
 " New York " and " Brooklyn," cruisers " New 
 Orleans " and " Marblehead," converted yachts 
 " Mayflower," " Josephine," and " Vixen," tor- 
 105
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 pedo boat " Porter," cable boat " Adria," gun 
 boat " Dolphin/ and the auxiliary cruisers " St. 
 Louis " and " Yankee." 
 
 The vessels formed a semicircular line, com 
 pletely enclosing the entrance to Santiago har 
 bor. From where the " Yankee " rested, on the 
 right wing, a fine view of the coast could be 
 obtained. Two insurgent camps were plainly 
 visible one on the beach and another in the 
 hills, which at that point rose to the height of 
 fully four thousand feet. Morro Castle, a grim, 
 sullen, gray embattled fort, directly overlooking 
 the channel, was in plain sight, and here and 
 there could be seen little green or sand-colored 
 mounds, marking the site of earthworks. 
 
 The stretch of blue sea, edged by the tumbling 
 surf-beaten beach, and the uprising of foliage- 
 covered hills, all brought out clearly by a tropi 
 cal sun, formed a picture as far removed from 
 the usual setting of war as could be. But war 
 was there, and the scenery appealed to few. 
 There was more interest in the drab hulls of the 
 fleet and the outward reaching of the mighty 
 guns. 
 
 That evening the evening of June 3d the 
 " Yankee s " decks presented an animated spec 
 tacle. The novel surroundings and the prospect 
 of action kept the boys interested. The "Rumor 
 106
 
 WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET. 
 
 Committee " was in active session, and one of 
 its principal members, the captain s orderly, 
 brought the news forward that the auxiliary 
 cruiser would surely lead a procession of battle 
 ships into Santiago harbor the following day. 
 
 This was a little too strong for even the 
 marines to swallow. We lay down by our loaded 
 guns that night, feeling that it was well to be 
 within easy reach of our defenders. 
 
 Hammocks were laid on the deck close to 
 each five-inch breechloader, and the regular 
 watch was doubled. Lack of experience made 
 all these warlike preparations very impressive, 
 and it was some time before the boys fell asleep. 
 For my part, such a restlessness possessed me 
 that, after trying to woo slumber for a half hour, 
 I left my place and crawled over nearer the 
 open port. 
 
 "Hello, Russ," whispered a voice, appar 
 ently from the outside. " Just lean out here if 
 you want to cool off. Isn t the night air fine? " 
 
 A small figure wriggled in from where it 
 had been hanging over the port sill, and in the 
 faint light I recognized " Kid," as we called him, 
 the smallest boy on board, and so pleasant and 
 popular that we had unanimously elected him 
 the mascot of the ship. 
 
 I was glad to see that it was " Kid." His 
 107
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 fund of ready wit and his never-failing good 
 nature made him a welcome companion at all 
 times. He did not belong to my gun, being 
 a " powder monkey " on No. 16, a six-pounder 
 on the spar deck, but " Kid " was privileged, and 
 he could have penetrated to the captain s cabin 
 with impunity. 
 
 " Thought I d drop down here for a rest," he 
 began, stretching himself and yawning. " Too 
 much tramping about on deck to sleep. Say, 
 looks as if we were going to have a little rain, 
 doesn t it? " 
 
 The moon had just passed behind a scurrying 
 cloud, causing the silvery sparkle of its reflection 
 to suddenly fade from the surface of the water. 
 The lights and shadows on the nearby beach 
 changed to a streaky dark smudge. There was 
 a damp touch to the air. 
 
 " This would be a proper night for one of 
 those sneaking torpedo boats to give us a scare," 
 resumed " Kid," thoughtfully. " Funny ways 
 of fighting those Dagoes have, eh? It s like 
 prisoner s base that I played when I was a boy." 
 
 " Kid s " eighteen years were a mature age 
 in his opinion. 
 
 " The two torpedo craft in Santiago harbor 
 could do a great deal of damage if they were 
 properly handled," I ventured. " They are 
 108
 
 WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET. 
 
 magnificent vessels of their class. Look what 
 Gushing did with a slow steam launch and a 
 powder can on the end of a stick." 
 
 " The case was different." 
 
 " Yes, but " 
 
 " Gushing was an American," interrupted the 
 boy convincingly. 
 
 There was silence for awhile and we lolled in 
 the port, gazing idly at the black spots in the 
 gloom representing the blockading fleet. Be 
 tween us and the shore was the " New Orleans," 
 the faint tracery of her masts just showing above 
 the distant background of the hills. The damp 
 ness in the air had increased, and a dash of rain 
 came in the open port. 
 
 " What were you doing at the mast this morn 
 ing, Kid ? " I asked by way of variety. 
 
 " Had a mustering shirt in the lucky bag." 
 
 I heard the boy chuckle. There was an esca 
 pade behind the remark. 
 
 " You know that wardroom Jap with the bad 
 eye?" 
 " " Yes." 
 
 " It was his shirt." 
 
 " But how " 
 
 " It was this way. You know how hard it has 
 been to put up with government straight as a 
 steady diet, don t you? " 
 109
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 I nodded. As " government straight " meant 
 the extremely simple bill of fare provided by 
 Uncle Sam, consisting of salt beef, pork, hard 
 tack, beans, and canned butter, with an occa 
 sional taste of dried fruit, I was compelled to 
 admit my acquaintance with it. 
 
 " Well, the other night I got to dreaming that 
 I was back in New York," resumed " Kid." " I 
 dreamt I dropped into a bang-up restaurant and 
 ordered beefsteak, fried potatoes, pie, and 
 
 A groan came from one of the gun s crew, 
 who was within hearing, and " Kid " lowered his 
 voice. 
 
 " Hit him where he lived, I guess," he chuck 
 led. " Well, I woke up so hungry that I 
 couldn t stand it any longer. I looked up the 
 Jap and struck him for a hand-out. He wanted 
 a shirt, and I wanted something to eat, and we 
 made a bargain. I brought him my extra mus 
 tering shirt it was too large for me, anyway 
 and he gave me some bread and butter, cold 
 potted tongue, three bananas, and 
 
 "For mercy s sake, stow that," muttered a 
 voice from back of the gun-mount. " Don t we 
 suffer enough? " 
 
 " That s < Hand-Out Hood," grinned " Kid." 
 " He s kicking because he didn t get it. Well, 
 I gave the shirt to the Jap, and what did he do 
 110
 
 WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET. 
 
 but lose it. My name was on the collar, and 
 Jimmy Legs put me on the report. The 
 old man was easy, though. Gave me four 
 hours extra duty. I asked him if I couldn t 
 work it out in the wardroom pantry." 
 
 " Kid s " chuckle came to a sudden stop, and 
 he leaned out through the port. 
 
 " What s the matter? " I asked. 
 
 " Thought I saw something moving over there 
 near the beach." 
 
 " Must have been a shadow." 
 
 " Guess so. Still, it looked like some kind of 
 a. " 
 
 Bang! 
 
 The sharp report of a rapid-fire gun cut short 
 his words. Another followed almost instantly, 
 then came a regular volley. The effect on the 
 crew of the " Yankee " was instantaneous. The 
 men sleeping at the guns scrambled to their feet, 
 hammocks were kicked out of the way, and be 
 fore the word to go to general quarters was 
 passed, every member of the crew was at his 
 station. 
 
 " I thought I saw something moving inshore," 
 cried " Kid," as he scurried away. 
 
 " It s a Spanish torpedo boat," muttered 
 "Stump." "Great Scott! just listen to the 
 New Orleans. She s firing like a house afire." 
 Ill
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Suddenly there came a deep, thunderous roar. 
 It was the voice of a thirteen-inch gun on the 
 " Massachusetts." Sixty seconds later the six- 
 pounders on the " Yankee s " forecastle joined 
 in the chorus, and the action became general. 
 
 " Do not fire without orders, men," cautioned 
 Lieutenant Greene, the officer in charge of our 
 division. " Just take it easy and bide your 
 time." 
 
 It was our first experience in actual fighting, 
 and our anxiety to " let loose " was almost over 
 whelming. We were held to our stations so 
 rigidly that but few glimpses could be caught 
 of the outside. The " New Orleans," on our 
 starboard, was still rattling away. 
 
 Notwithstanding our own inaction (the gun 
 deck battery was not used), there was a certain 
 exhilaration in even listening to the sounds of 
 conflict, and the eager, tense faces surrounding 
 the guns reflected in the dim light of the deck 
 lanterns such a fierce desire to fight that they 
 were absolutely transfigured. 
 
 " Can t stand this much longer," muttered 
 " Hay," the second captain, as a peculiarly 
 vicious report came from the direction of the 
 " Massachusetts." " Why don t they give a fel 
 low a chance? " 
 
 " Steady, men," admonished Lieutenant 
 113
 
 "THE SIX-POUNDERS ON THE YANKEE S FORECASTLE 
 JOINED IN THE CHORUS " (page 112).
 
 WE JOIN SAMPSON S FLEET. 
 
 Greene. " Don t be impatient. Our turn will 
 come soon. Steady! " 
 
 A turn of the hull we were under way at 
 half speed brought the land on the port bow 
 just then. The moon suddenly emerged from 
 behind the clouds, and we who were nearest 
 the port, distinctly saw a long, black object fade 
 into the obscurity of the coast almost directly 
 under Morro Castle. 
 
 " She s escaped! " groaned " Stump." " It s 
 the torpedo boat, and she is safe again." 
 
 As if to prove the truth of his words the guns 
 on the " J^ew Orleans " and " Massachusetts " 
 became silent; then word was sent below to " se 
 cure." Our first action was disappointing, but 
 there was little grumbling. We knew full well 
 that momentous events were bound to occur be 
 fore long. 
 
 The following morning, shortly after day 
 break, the torpedo boat "Porter" steamed along 
 side. Her coming created some excitement, and 
 the " Yankee s " crew promptly lined the rail 
 ing. 
 
 "What s that object on the deck?" asked 
 " Stump," pointing to a long brass cylinder lying 
 abaft the after conning tower. 
 
 " It s a torpedo, but not like those used in 
 our navy," replied " Hay." 
 8 113
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Captain Brownson leaned over the end of the 
 bridge and waved his hand to Lieutenant Fre 
 mont, the " Porter s " commander. The latter 
 was smiling, and as we watched, he made a ges 
 ture toward the mysterious brass cylinder. 
 
 " See that thing, Brownson? " he called out. 
 
 The captain nodded. 
 
 " It almost paid you a visit last night." 
 
 "What " 
 
 " We picked it up near shore this morning and 
 sunk another. That Spanish torpedo boat made 
 a great attempt to sink one of our ships, and, if 
 I am not mistaken, the Yankee was her in 
 tended prey. Congratulations." 
 
 As the " Porter " steamed away we felt very 
 much like congratulating ourselves. This was 
 grim war of a certainty. Like the boy who was 
 blown a mile in a cyclone without injury, we 
 experienced a certain pride that we really had 
 been in danger. 
 
 About the middle of the afternoon a signal 
 was seen on the flagship. It was read at once, 
 and immediately the boatswain s mate passed a 
 call that sent a thrill of anticipation through us. 
 It was : 
 
 "All hands clear ship for action! " 
 
 114
 
 ; CLEAII SHIP FOR ACTION ! " (page 115).
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOB ACTION. 
 
 The boatswain s mate s shrill piping and the 
 long drawn out cry, " All hands clear ship for 
 action! " was not entirely unexpected. An un 
 usual activity on the part of the signal men on 
 the flagship " New York " had not escaped our 
 notice, and when the summons to prepare for 
 battle echoed through the " Yankee s " decks it 
 found us in readiness for prompt obedience. 
 
 At the time the call sounded a number of us 
 were standing in the port waist idly watching the 
 fleet and the shore. " Bill," a member of the 
 powder division, whose father is a prominent 
 real estate broker of New York, and whose great 
 talent is for practical joking and general fun 
 making, was telling a story. As we scattered at 
 the summons, he started below with me. Even 
 the circumstances could not prevent him follow 
 ing his hobby, and he whispered as we hurried 
 along : 
 
 " Say, Euss, this reminds me of a good story 
 115
 
 A QUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 I once heard. There was a man who was too 
 lazy to live and the neighbors finally decided to 
 bury him. So they took him out to the village 
 graveyard one morning before day and 
 
 " Here, you men, pass this mess chest be 
 low," interrupted an officer, beckoning to us. 
 " Bill " grasped one end of the object indicated 
 and lugged it to the hatch. 
 
 " They took the lazy man to the village grave 
 yard, as I was saying," resumed " Bill," " and 
 they buried him up to his neck in the earth. 
 Then they hid back of tombstones and 
 
 " Less talking there, men," exclaimed the 
 navigator, hurrying past us. " You heroes 
 do too much yarning to suit me. Get those 
 things below at once. Shake it up." 
 
 " They are in an almighty hurry," grumbled 
 "Bill." "The forts won t move. They ll be 
 there to-morrow, I guess. Well, as I was say 
 ing, the villagers concealed themselves behind 
 convenient tombstones and waited to see what 
 the lazy man would do when he woke up. By 
 and by day broke, and just as the sun gilded the 
 windows of the old church the fellow who was 
 buried up to his neck " 
 
 " Chase those mess chests below, bullies," 
 called out the boatswain s mate, dropping down 
 the ladder a few feet away. " Lively there ; the 
 116
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION. 
 
 old man wants to break a record. When you 
 have finished, hustle to the oil and paint lockers 
 and help carry all inflammable material to the 
 spar deck." 
 
 For several minutes " Bill " worked away in 
 silence. Between us we managed to lower a 
 number of chests into the hold where they would 
 be out of the way; then we disposed of more 
 objects liable to produce unwelcome splinters, 
 and finally we started toward the paint locker. 
 
 The gun deck presented a scene of the most 
 intense activity. The process of clearing ship 
 for action requires the united efforts of the entire 
 crew. On vessels of the regular service, such as 
 the " !N"ew York " or " Indiana," where every 
 thing has been constructed with a view to the 
 needs of battle, the work is thoroughly system 
 atized and comparatively easy. The " Yankee," 
 being a merchant steamer hastily converted into 
 a vessel of war, presented greater difficulties. 
 
 However, the crew was fairly familiar with 
 its duties and the work progressed at a rapid rate. 
 When " Bill " and I reached the paint locker we 
 .found several others preparing to convey the oil 
 to the deck. It was a momentary respite, and 
 " Bill " took advantage of it. 
 
 " When the sun rose the fellows hiding be 
 hind the tombstones saw the lazy man open his 
 117
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 eyes," he resumed hurriedly. " He looked 
 around and took in all the details of the scene, 
 the old church with the windows glowing redly, 
 the weeping willows shaking and trembling in 
 the crisp morning breeze, the rows of sod-covered 
 mounds, the crumbling tombstones, and on one 
 side the old rickety fence marking the passing 
 of the road. All this he saw and then 
 
 " Hear the news, fellows? " interrupted the 
 " Kid," suddenly approaching. " We are going 
 to what s the matter, Bill ? " 
 
 For " Bill " had caught him by the slack of 
 the shirt and one arm and was hustling him 
 along the deck. The " Kid," looking aggrieved, 
 went his way, and " Bill " returned. 
 
 " As I was saying," he continued calmly; "the 
 lazy fellow saw all those things, then he threw 
 back his head and laughed and laughed until the 
 tears rolled down his cheeks. Whoop ! he 
 cried, this is the best piece of luck I ve struck 
 yet. Hurray! blamed if it ain t the resurrection 
 day and I m the first feller above ground. 
 Whoop! " 
 
 After I had finished laughing I picked up a 
 can of oil and asked: 
 
 " Where s the similarity, Bill ? It s a good 
 story, but you said this reminded you of it." 
 
 "Humph! aren t we going to see the resur- 
 118
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION. 
 
 rection of some of these old Spanish, fossils 
 around here to-day? " " Bill " demanded. "And 
 aren t we the first volunteer force on the spot? 
 I guess that makes the story apropos." 
 
 As the " Yankee " was the first vessel manned 
 by Naval Reserves to reach the scene of hos 
 tilities, I could not deny " Bill s " claim. See 
 ing the success of one story, he was on the point 
 of telling another, when word came to hasten 
 the clearing of the ship for action, and we were 
 compelled to devote our energies to the work in 
 hand. 
 
 The decks were sanded a precaution that 
 made more than one wonder if the spilling of 
 blood was really anticipated; all boats and spare 
 booms were covered with canvas to prevent the 
 scattering of splinters, the steel hatch covers 
 were closed down, hammocks were broken out of 
 the racks and made to serve as an added protec 
 tion to the forward wheel-house, and everything 
 possible done to make the ship fit for action. 
 
 The time taken to gain this end did not ex 
 ceed ten minutes, which was almost a record. 
 Signals were displayed stating that we were in 
 readiness, then all hands were called to general 
 quarters. As we hurried to our stations I saw 
 the entire blockading fleet moving slowly shore 
 ward. 
 
 119
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 " We are going to bombard the Dagoes this 
 trip for sure," observed the first captain of Num 
 ber Eight as we lined up. " I see their finish." 
 
 " Don t be too sure," said "Stump." " There s 
 many a slip between the muzzle and the target. 
 Maybe we won t do much after all. Just to 
 make it interesting I ll bet you a dinner at Del s 
 that we will only chuck a bluff. What d ye 
 say? " 
 
 " Done, if you make it for the whole ship s 
 company," chuckled the first captain. 
 
 " Stump " shook his head. 
 
 " A dinner at Del s for over two hundred 
 hungry Reserves, and on a salary of $35 per 
 month. Nope. Not on your life." 
 
 " Cast loose and provide," came the order. 
 
 There were a few moments of rapid work, 
 then the battery was reported in readiness for 
 firing. Through the open port we could catch 
 a glimpse of the other vessels of the fleet, and 
 the spectacle formed by the low-lying battle 
 ships, the massive cruisers, and the smaller, but 
 equally defiant gunboats, was one long to be 
 remembered. 
 
 Every ship was cleared for business. On the 
 vessels of the u Oregon " class nothing could be 
 seen but the gray steel of turrets and super 
 structure. The " New York " and the " Brook- 
 120
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION. 
 
 lyn " were similarly cleared. On the bridges 
 could be seen groups of officers, but the decks 
 were empty. Every man was at his gun. 
 
 The ships steamed in to within a short dis 
 tance of the beach and then formed a semicircle, 
 the heavier vessels taking the centre where they 
 could directly face the forts. The little " Dol 
 phin " was on the extreme right of the line, with 
 the " Yankee " next. 
 
 When within easy range of the guns ashore 
 there ensued a wait. ISTo signal to fire came 
 from the flagship, and there did not seem to be 
 any move toward opening the battle by the forts. 
 We stood at our guns in silence, awaiting the 
 word, until finally patience ceased to be a 
 virtue. 
 
 " Seems to me they ought to do something," 
 murmured " Stump," glancing shoreward rather 
 discontentedly. "Ain t we fair targets?" 
 
 "Why don t the admiral tell us to sail in?" 
 queried the first captain in the same tone. " The 
 day is fine and the range is good. There s the 
 beggars plain enough with their measly old forts. 
 What more is wanted? " 
 
 " Wish they would pipe down and light the 
 smoking lamp," said the second loader. " It 
 would be a great deal more fun than standing 
 here like a dummy." 
 
 121
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 The sun had passed beyond the top of the 
 hills, but the light was sufficiently strong to 
 bring out in plain relief the batteries guarding 
 the entrance to Santiago. Grim Morro Castle 
 appeared almost deserted. The red and yellow 
 banner of Spain flaunted lazily from the ram 
 parts, but only here and there could be distin 
 guished the little black dots representing the 
 soldiers on guard. The earthworks and smaller 
 forts were equally idle. 
 
 " We won t get anything out of them to-day," 
 remarked " Stump " decisively. " It must be 
 one of their eternal feast days when they won t 
 even fight." 
 
 " There goes a signal on the flagship," ex 
 claimed the first loader, pointing out the port. 
 " I ll bet a dollar it s " 
 
 " The signal to pull out again," groaned 
 " Stump." " Didn t I say so ? " 
 
 " The admiral intends to postpone the bom 
 bardment for some reason," I ventured. " Per 
 haps it s too late in the day." 
 
 Whatever the cause, it was now plain that we 
 would not engage the forts. In obedience to 
 the signals on the " New York," which were re 
 peated by the " Brooklyn," the whole fleet re 
 turned to the former station several miles from 
 shore. The word to " secure " was passed and 
 122
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION. 
 
 presently the " Yankee " had resumed its former 
 condition of armed watchfulness. 
 
 That evening after supper there was a gather 
 ing of the choice spirits of the crew in the vicin 
 ity of the after wheel-house. " Dye," the chief 
 member of the " Yankee s " choir, started one of 
 " Steve s " little songs, which, although rendered 
 very quietly in deference to the rules observed 
 on blockade, was greatly enjoyed. The air was 
 " Tommy Atkins," and the words ran as follows: 
 
 " They made us sign our papers for a year, 
 And dressed us in a natty sailor s suit ; 
 They taught us how to heave the lead and steer, 
 
 And how to handle guns and how to shoot. 
 We fancied we d be leaving right away 
 To capture prizes on the Spanish Main, 
 And be raising merry hades 
 With the dusky Spanish laddies, 
 And within a month come steaming home again. 
 
 CHORUS. 
 
 " But instead we ran a ferry 
 
 All along the Jersey shore, 
 And our turns were empty very, 
 
 And our hands were awful sore. 
 We would give our bottom dollar 
 
 Just to see a cable car, 
 Just to hear a newsboy holler, 
 Just to smoke a good cigar. 
 
 " In times of peace we do not have to sweep 
 Or carry coal or stand on watch all night ; 
 123
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "JANKEE." 
 
 We do not have to scrub down decks or keep 
 Our toothbrush chained, or brasswork shining 
 
 bright. 
 We never washed our faces in a pail, 
 
 We never heard the fog-horn s awful shriek, 
 We never ate salt horse, 
 We combed our hair, of course, 
 And we never wore our stockings for a week." 
 CHORUS. 
 
 " Suppose you ( heroes pipe down there," 
 came from the darkness just then. " What do 
 you think this is, a concert hall? " 
 
 " It s Cutlets/ " muttered " Stump." " He 
 would like to make the ship a funeral barge." 
 
 We sat in silence for a while, watching the 
 retreating form of the navigator passing for 
 ward; then Tom Le Valley, a zealous member of 
 Number Nine gun s crew, spoke up. 
 
 " Do you see those two lights twinkling over 
 there about where the Dolphin should be, 
 fellows? " he asked. 
 
 Some one yawned and nodded. 
 
 " Reminds you of a story, eh? " asked " Bill," 
 who was leaning against the rail. " Well, come 
 to think of it I remember a " 
 
 " Several years ago I happened to be a patient 
 in a hospital over in Brooklyn/ continued Tom. 
 " I was almost well and about to leave the place 
 
 when a man in the upper ward " 
 
 124
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION. 
 
 " I had a cousin once who used to travel a 
 great deal/ interrupted " Bill," taking a seat on 
 the deck with his back against a bitt. " One 
 time he happened to be in a small town just 
 outside of Dublin, Ireland. The inn was 
 crowded and he had to take up his quarters with 
 a family who occasionally rented out rooms. A 
 circus and menagerie was giving exhibitions in 
 the city, and one night the biggest monkey es 
 caped from its cage and skipped out. They 
 instituted a search at once, but the animal could 
 not be found. Well, it happened that the 
 family with whom my cousin was stopping 
 consisted of father and mother and one son 
 about ten years old. The boy, whose name 
 was Mike, was a regular limb. Always in mis 
 chief and 
 
 " As I was saying," broke in Tom at this junc 
 ture, " when I was about to leave the hospital, a 
 man in the upper ward concluded to depart this 
 world for a better one. It happened about eight 
 o clock in the evening, and, as was usual in such 
 cases, the nurse on watch was supposed to get sev 
 eral convalescent patients and a stretcher and 
 carry the body down to a little wooden house a 
 hundred yards from the main building. The 
 nurse, with whom I was on friendly terms, had 
 an important case to attend to just then and 
 125
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 he asked me if I wouldn t take charge of the 
 stretcher party. Well, we started down the 
 yard, I leading the way with a lantern, and we 
 finally reached the little house. We entered 
 and- -" 
 
 " Some people think they are the only story 
 tellers in the group," remarked " Bill " with 
 mild sarcasm at that interesting point. " To tell 
 a good story with a point to it is an art. Now, 
 as I was saying, this boy Mike would rather get 
 into mischief than eat a what s the Irish for 
 potato? " 
 
 " Spud," suggested " Hod." 
 
 " Murphy," said " Stump." 
 
 " Well, it s immaterial. Anyway the boy 
 was full of mischief. The night the monk got 
 away he had been sent to bed early because of 
 some trick he had played. He slep" t in a little 
 room at the head of the stairs leading to the 
 second story. His window opened on a lean-to 
 shed, and, as it was a warm evening, the sash 
 was raised. Shortly after the youngster got to 
 bed, something slipped over the back fence, and 
 after prowling about the yard for a moment, 
 climbed upon the shed and through the window 
 into the room where Mike was just in the act of 
 falling asleep. The thing, which was about the 
 youngster s size, crept over the floor toward the 
 126
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION. 
 
 bed, and then with a spring, landed squarely 
 upon 
 
 " Some people use more wind in telling a story 
 than would fill a maintop-sail," drawled Tom. 
 " There s nothing like getting at your subject. 
 Now, when we reached the little wooden house 
 we entered, and after accomplishing our errand, 
 started back to the main building. While on 
 the way it suddenly occurred to me that I had 
 forgotten to close the door between the two 
 rooms of which the house was composed. There 
 was an open window in the front room, and there 
 was no telling what might get in. I told the 
 fellows to go on and I tasked back to the little 
 house. I still carried the lantern, but just as I 
 reached the door, it went out. I tell you, I felt 
 like letting the whole thing go, but I didn t 
 want to get the nurse into trouble. So I un 
 locked the front door, opened it, and, Great 
 Scott! I saw " 
 
 " There s everything in choosing a subject 
 when you want to tell a good story," calmly in 
 terrupted Bill. " This story I am trying to 
 tell has a laugh in it. You don t have to keep 
 your hair down with both hands and feel the 
 cold chills playing tag up and down your spinal 
 column, like you have to do when some people 
 are trying to yarn. "Well, when the thing that 
 127
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 had crept through the window landed on the 
 bed, Mike let out a yell that could have been 
 heard in Dublin. Ow-w-w ! he whooped, 
 scrambling to the floor. He caught one sight of 
 the visitor, and then made a dash for the window 
 and slid clear to the ground, leaving pieces of 
 shirt and his epidermis on every nail on the shed 
 roof. The noise he made roused the father and 
 mother below, and the latter started for the 
 stairs. That b ye 11 be the death av me yet/ 
 she complained. I ll go up and give him a 
 slap. She lost no time in reaching the little 
 room, and when she entered she saw the bed 
 with what she thought was Mike under the 
 clothes. Mike, ye rascal, she exclaimed, turn 
 down the sheet this minute. It s mesilf as 11 
 tache ye to raise a noise at this time o night. 
 For shame, ye spalpane! What, ye won t obey 
 your own mother? I ll show ye. Take that! 
 She brought her hand down upon the figure out 
 lined under the sheet with a resounding whack. 
 The next second the thing leaped from the bed 
 squarely into her arms. t Wow ! Murther ! 
 Mike, what have ye been doing? she howled, 
 adding at the top of her voice, Patrick, Pat 
 rick, come quick! The b ye has got hold of 
 your hair restorer. He s all covered with hair 
 and he s gone daft. Murther! With that the 
 128
 
 CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION. 
 
 father made for the stairs as fast as his legs could 
 carry him. Just as he got to the top " 
 
 " The sight I saw when I opened the outer 
 door of the little house almost knocked me silly," 
 broke in Tom, rather excitedly. " There in the 
 other room gleamed " 
 
 " When Patrick reached the second floor," in 
 terrupted Bill, raising his voice, " he felt 
 something strike him full in the chest; then two 
 hairy arms clasped him about the throat 
 and " 
 
 " In the other room gleamed two 
 
 " Oh, give a fellow a chance, will you? " cried 
 Bill. " You want the whole floor. What do 
 you think " 
 
 "Sh-h-h! here comes the executive officer," 
 hastily whispered " Stump." " We ve made too 
 much racket. Let s go into the after wheel- 
 house." 
 
 " We must be quiet about it," spoke up 
 the " Kid," warningly. " Cutlets is chasing 
 around to-night, and if he catches us in there 
 he ll raise Cain." 
 
 " All right," replied Bill. " And I ll finish 
 that story if I have to stay up all night." 
 
 " Same here," retorted Tom, with evident de 
 termination. " Come on." 
 
 And we all followed the twain, 
 9 129
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 The after wheel-house on board the "Yankee" 
 was a round structure of steel built on the spar 
 deck directly over the counter. It contained a 
 steering wheel to be used in case the wheel in 
 the pilot-house should be disabled. When the 
 chill winds of May and early June were blowing 
 off the northern coast during the " Yankee s " 
 period of cruising in that vicinity, the after 
 wheel-house formed a snug and comfortable re 
 treat for the men of the watch. 
 
 It was freely used for that purpose until the 
 navigator chanced to discover the fact. He 
 forthwith issued orders forbidding any person to 
 enter the house, except on duty. His order, like 
 many others, received respectful consideration 
 when he happened to be looking. In the pres 
 ent case we were so eager to hear the conclusion 
 of the stories being related by the rival yarn- 
 spinners, that we were fain to brave " Cutlets 
 130
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 displeasure. Led by Bill and Tom, we piled 
 inside. 
 
 " What I was trying to say," spoke up the 
 former, getting the first opening, was that 
 when Patrick reached the top of the stairs, some 
 thing struck him full in the chest, and two hairy 
 arms were thrown about his neck. The sudden 
 shock sent him tumbling backward, and he fell 
 kerflop ! down the steps. Up above, his wife was 
 howling to beat the band, Mike, Mike, ye spal- 
 pane! You do be killing your poor father. 
 Och! why did I live to see this day? In the 
 meantime the real Mike for the one inside was 
 the escaped monk from the menagerie had 
 scooted for the police. They came, a half 
 dozen of them, and as they entered the front 
 door " 
 
 " Time ! " chuckled u Stump." " Give Tom a 
 chance." 
 
 " As I opened the front door of the little 
 wooden house where we had placed the body," 
 said Tom, prompt to take advantage of the op 
 portunity, " I saw two gleaming eyes glaring at 
 me from the inner room. I tell you, my heart 
 fell clean down into my boots." 
 
 " Should think it would," muttered the 
 " Kid," peering about the wheel-house with a 
 shiver. "TJgh!" 
 
 131
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 " I dropped the lantern," resumed Tom, " and 
 staggered back. Just then a 
 
 " Half dozen policemen entered the front 
 door just as Patrick and the supposed Mike 
 reached the bottom of the stairs," broke in 
 Bill, taking up the thread of his story. " Well, 
 when the Irish coppers saw Pat with the monk 
 hanging around his neck they thought the old 
 Nick had him. They started to run, but the 
 old woman reached the lower floor in time to 
 see both Mike and the monkey. She grabbed 
 a broom, but the monk slipped through the front 
 door, and 
 
 " That s the end of your story. And a good 
 job it is too," remarked Tom. 
 
 " It is better than having no end," retorted 
 Bill. " You spin out a yarn to beat the band." 
 
 "It s getting late," spoke up "Hod," yawning. 
 " If you fellows are going to chew the rag all 
 night I " 
 
 " Only a word more," interrupted Tom. " As 
 I staggered back I fell into the arms of the 
 nurse, who had come down to see what kept me. 
 I explained in a hurry, and he lit a match. We 
 both went in and discovered 
 
 " Sh-h-h ! Get out of here, you fellows," sud 
 denly spoke up a voice at the door on the star 
 board side. " Here comes Cutlets ! " 
 133
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 There was a scramble for the opposite door, 
 and in much less time than is taken in the tell 
 ing, the wheel-house was empty. We huddled 
 in the shadows for a moment; then dodged for 
 ward. As we reached the hatch I heard the 
 "Kid" ask Tom: 
 
 " Say, what was it you saw? Tell a fellow, 
 won t you? " 
 
 " Two brass knobs on an old chest," was the 
 calm reply. 
 
 "Huh!" 
 
 The following day being Sunday, was given 
 over to rest and recreation and the writing of 
 letters, until late in the afternoon. The day 
 dawned clear but very warm. There was very 
 little breeze stirring, and the spar and gun 
 decks, where we spent the most of our time, were 
 almost stifling. " Corking mats," as they are 
 termed in naval parlance, were very much in 
 evidence. The sailor s " corking mat " is a strip 
 of canvas which he spreads upon the deck to 
 protect his clothing from the tarry seams, when 
 he feels the necessity for a siesta or nap, which 
 is quite often. 
 
 Toward evening we were put to work at a 
 
 task which gave welcome promise of coming 
 
 action. Under the direction of the executive 
 
 officer we broke out a number of bags of coal 
 
 133
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 from the orlop deck and piled them five deep, 
 and about the same number in height, around 
 the steam steering engine under the forward 
 wheel-house. This was to give added protection 
 to a vital part of the ship. 
 
 The work was hard and unpleasant, especially 
 to men who had not spent the major portion of 
 their lives at manual labor, but it was one of 
 those disagreeable fortunes of war to which we 
 were growing accustomed, and we toiled without 
 comment. That night when we turned in, that 
 is, those who were fortunate enough to have the 
 " off watch," it was generally rumored about the 
 decks that the fleet would surely bombard early 
 the following morning. 
 
 About two bells (five o clock) the different 
 guns crews, who were sleeping at the batteries, 
 were called by the boatswain s mates, and told 
 to go to breakfast at once. 
 
 " It s coming," exclaimed " Hay," joyfully. 
 " The old Yankee will see her real baptism of 
 fire to-day. Kid, you young rat, you ll have 
 a chance to dodge shells before you are many 
 hours older." 
 
 " You may get a chance to stop one," retorted 
 the boy. 
 
 After a hurried meal, word to clear ship for 
 action was passed, and the " Yankee s " boys set 
 134
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 to work with a vim. The task was done more 
 thoroughly than usual. The boats and wooden 
 hatches were covered with canvas, everything 
 portable that would splinter was sent below, 
 the decks were sanded, and all the inflammable 
 oils were placed in a boat and set adrift for the 
 " Justin," one of the colliers, to pick up. 
 
 The day seemed fitted for the work we had in 
 hand. The sky was overcast, and occasionally 
 a rain squall would sweep from the direction of 
 the land, and envelop the fleet. It was not a 
 cold, raw rain, like that encountered in more 
 northern latitudes in early summer, but a drip 
 ping of moisture peculiarly grateful after the 
 heat of the previous day. 
 
 Shortly before seven o clock, the members of 
 the crew were in readiness for business. The 
 majority had removed their superfluous cloth 
 ing, and it was a stirring sight to watch the dif 
 ferent guns crews, stripped to the waist and 
 barefooted, standing at their stations. There 
 was something in the cool, practical manner in 
 which each man prepared for work that prom 
 ised well, and it should be said to the everlasting 
 credit of the Naval Reserves that they invariably 
 fought with the calmness and precision of vet 
 erans whenever they were called upon. 
 
 In the present case, there would have been 
 135
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 some excuse for faint-lieartedness. The crew of 
 the " Yankee," made up of men whose previous 
 lives had been those of absolute peace, who had 
 never heard a shot fired in anger before their 
 arrival at Santiago, who had left home and busi 
 ness in defence of the flag these men went 
 about their preparations for attacking the forti 
 fications with as little apparent concern as if it 
 were simply a yachting trip. 
 
 There was no holding back, no hesitancy, no 
 looks of concern or anxiety, but when the signal 
 to advance inshore appeared on the " New 
 York," at six bells (seven o clock), there was a 
 feeling of relief that the time of waiting was 
 over. 
 
 We were to be in it at last. 
 
 The flagship s signal to advance in formation 
 was obeyed at once. Moving in double column, 
 the fleet stood in toward the batteries. The first 
 line, as we saw from the after port, was composed 
 of the " Brooklyn," " Texas," " Massachusetts," 
 and " Marblehead." The line to which the 
 " Yankee " was attached, included, besides that 
 vessel, the " New York," " Oregon," " Iowa," 
 and " New Orleans." When within three thou 
 sand yards from shore, the first line turned 
 toward the west, leaving us to steam in the oppo 
 site direction. 
 
 136
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 The batteries ashore could now be plainly dis 
 tinguished. Morro Castle, grim and defiant, 
 seemed to ignore our coming, if the absence of 
 life was any proof. Lower down on the other 
 side of the entrance where the Estrella and Cata- 
 lena batteries were located, there seemed to be 
 more activity. Men could also be seen running 
 about in some new batteries a little to the east 
 ward of Morro Castle. It was evident to us at 
 once that the enemy had not anticipated an at 
 tack on such a rainy, windy day. 
 
 On swept the two lines of ships without firing 
 a shot until they formed a semicircle, with the 
 heavier vessels directly facing the forts; then the 
 " New York " opened fire with one of her heavy 
 guns, the " Iowa " following immediately. At 
 this moment, 7 :45 a.m., the ships were arranged 
 as follows, counting from the right : " New 
 York," "Yankee," "New Orleans," " Massa^ 
 chusetts," "Oregon," "Iowa," "Indiana," 
 " Texas," " Marblehead," and " Brooklyn." 
 Guarding the extreme left were the " Vixen " 
 and " Suwanee," and doing similar duty on 
 the other flank were the " Dolphin " and 
 " Porter." 
 
 The shot from the flagship was the signal for 
 a general bombardment. There was no settled 
 order of firing, but each ship just " pitched in," 
 137
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 to use a common expression, and banged away at 
 the forts with every available gun. 
 
 The scene on the gun deck of the " Yankee " 
 was one never to be forgotten. When the word 
 to commence firing reached us, we sprang to the 
 work at once. Each crew paid strict attention 
 to its own station, and the routine of loading and 
 firing went on with the regularity of clockwork. 
 A number of boxes of the fixed ammunition had 
 been " whipped " up from below while we were 
 steaming into position, and there was no lack of 
 death-dealing food for the hungry maws of the 
 battery. 
 
 Not much could be seen of the outside at first, 
 as the task in hand claimed our strict attention, 
 but after a while an occasional glimpse was ob 
 tained of the other ships and the forts. The 
 heavy battleships, the " Indiana," " Oregon," 
 " Massachusetts," " Iowa," and " Texas," were 
 lost in the dense smoke of their guns. It was 
 thrilling to see them, like moving clouds, emit 
 ting streams of fire which shot through the walls 
 of vapor like flashes of lightning athwart a 
 gloomy sky. 
 
 The noise was terrific. It seemed to gather 
 
 at times in such an overwhelming, soul-stunning 
 
 clamor of sound, that the very air was rent and 
 
 split and shattered, and the senses refused 
 
 138
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 further burden. There was no possibility of 
 hearing the human voice, save at odd intervals 
 when a brief cessation occurred in the firing. 
 Orders were transmitted by gestures. 
 
 The smoke was thick and stifling, the saltpetre 
 fumes filling the throat and lungs, until breath 
 ing was difficult. The dense bank of vapor 
 enveloping the ship also rendered it almost im 
 possible to aim with any accuracy. We of 
 Number Eight gun were early impressed with 
 this fact, and " Hay," the second captain, ex 
 claimed during a lull: 
 
 " It s that fellow in charge of Number Six. 
 He won t give us any show. Just look how he s 
 working his crew. Did you ever see the beat 
 of it?" 
 
 The captain of Number Six, a broker of con 
 siderable note in New York, a member of the 
 Calumet. Club, and the son of a distinguished 
 captain in the Confederate navy, was fighting 
 his gun with savage energy. Under his direc 
 tion, and inspired by a running fire of comments 
 from him, the different members of Number 
 Six crew were literally pouring a hail of steel 
 upon the batteries. The firing was so rapid, 
 in fact, that it kept our port completely filled 
 with smoke, much to our sorrow. 
 
 Notwithstanding that fact, "Hay," the second 
 139
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 captain of lumber Eight, did such marvellous 
 shooting, that word presently came from Cap 
 tain Brownson on the bridge, publicly com 
 mending him. We were correspondingly elated, 
 and worked all the harder. 
 
 It was not until we had been firing some 
 time that we began to take particular note 
 of our surroundings. At first the novelty 
 of the situation and a state of excitement, 
 natural under the circumstances, kept us 
 absorbed in our duties, but when it became 
 apparent that the engagement was to be a 
 matter of hours and also that the Spaniards 
 did not aim very well we commenced to look 
 about. 
 
 One of the first things to strike me personally, 
 and it was rather humorous, was the appearance 
 of " Stump," the second loader. Orders had 
 early been given to avoid exposing ourselves to 
 the enemy s fire as much as possible. " Stump," 
 than whom no more daring and aggressive man 
 could be found on board, thought it wise to obey, 
 so he crouched behind the gun-mount and com 
 pressed himself so as to be out of range. From 
 this position he had only to reach out one hand 
 to train the gun, which was his special duty. 
 Meanwhile, he continually urged " Hay " to 
 keep on firing. 
 
 140
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 " Doesn t make any difference whether you 
 can see or not," he exclaimed. " Shoot anyway. 
 Give it to the beggars! That s the ticket, old 
 chap. Now another. Whoop ! did you see that 
 land? Ah-h-h! we are the people." 
 
 As the novelty of the scene gradually wore 
 off we began to enjoy it hugely. We pumped 
 away at the guns, commenting freely on the 
 enemy s marksmanship. We felt more like a 
 party watching a fireworks display than the crew 
 of a warship engaged in bombarding a number 
 of forts. 
 
 The two lines were steaming back and forth 
 in front of the batteries, firing as the guns would 
 bear. At first, Morro Castle and the smaller 
 forts maintained a spirited fire, but finally their 
 response to our fusillade slackened considerably, 
 and it became evident that they had been driven 
 from their guns. 
 
 The difference in aim between the Spanish 
 gunners and ours was very perceptible. Their 
 shells invariably passed over the ships or landed 
 short, and at no time during the engagement 
 were any of the American vessels in imminent 
 danger. This was not due to length of range 
 either, as the lines were maintained at from two 
 to four thousand yards. As Bill put it, " Any 
 Dago that can t hit a flock of barn doors like 
 141
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 this fleet, had better go back home and hoe 
 onions." 
 
 The ships of our fleet also made better targets 
 than did the batteries ashore. It was certainly 
 easy to distinguish the position of each vessel, but 
 as the Spanish batteries were nearly all situated 
 a short distance back from the crest of the ridge 
 with a background little different in color from 
 that of the battery, we found it difficult to locate 
 them at times. Our elevation had to be perfect, 
 as with an inch or two below or above, the pro 
 jectile would either vanish in the distance or 
 take effect on the cliffs below the batteries. 
 
 We of Number Eight gun, when the " Yan 
 kee " was steaming with the starboard broadside 
 bearing, managed to slip across the deck and 
 watch the firing from the ports and deadlights. 
 It was really beautiful to see the landing of the 
 great shells upon the forts and surrounding 
 earth. Some battered into the soft spots on the 
 cliffs, sending huge masses of dirt and debris 
 high into the air; then when the explosion came, 
 there would follow a great cloud of dust re 
 sembling the wavering smoke over a city fire. 
 
 Others struck the harder portions of the cliff, 
 bursting into a shower of fragments, each kick 
 ing up its own pother of dirt and shattered rock. 
 At times a shell would land in a crack in the 
 143
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 face of the hill, and immediately following 
 would come an upheaval of stones. These 
 boulders, many of them of immense size, would 
 roll down the slope and splash in the water at 
 the base, creating a series of fountain-like cas 
 cades. 
 
 Accompanying the display was a continuous 
 roar of explosion and detonation that echoed and 
 reechoed across the water like the pealing of 
 tropical thunder. In fact, it was these noises, 
 mingled with the fierce reports of our guns, 
 which impressed us the most. Taking it all in 
 all, the scene was spectacular in the extreme. 
 
 u Boys," remarked No. 7 of our crew " Mor- 
 rie," we called him " this sight is worth all the 
 coaling and standing watches and poor food 
 we have had to put up with. I would experi 
 ence it all over again just to see this bombard 
 ment." 
 
 And we heartily agreed with him. 
 
 After a time it seemed as if the admiral was 
 determined to plump shells into the vicinity of 
 Santiago until there was nothing left to fire at. 
 There had been a continuous outpouring of pro 
 jectiles from the guns of the fleet for over an 
 hour, yet that grim line of gray steel fortresses 
 still passed and repassed in front of the forts. 
 
 It was really growing monotonous, when 
 143
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 something occurred at the gun to which I was 
 attached that served to give us an exciting 
 minute or two. " Hay " had just fired a shot 
 which caught one of the new batteries directly 
 in the centre. The shell was extracted, and 
 another inserted, but when the second captain 
 pressed the electric firing lanyard, there was no 
 report. The shell had missed fire. 
 
 In an instant we recalled the fate of the un 
 fortunate marine corporal, and we eyed each 
 other with something like consternation. It 
 was necessary to extract the defective cartridge, 
 and the action would certainly be accompanied 
 with grave peril. 
 
 "We turned to " Stump." The disagreeable 
 duty was his. 
 
 " It s got to be done, fellows," he said, steadily 
 enough. " The cartridge must come out some 
 time. Stand back there and I ll 
 
 " Wait a moment," interrupted the officer of 
 the division. " We will see if it can t be done 
 without much risk. Bring a rope, one of you." 
 
 The required article was brought in a hurry. 
 The bombardment was now at its height, and 
 the thunderous roaring of the guns was increas 
 ing with every passing second. Above and 
 around us the vicious reports of the " Yankee s " 
 five-inch rapid-firers seemed like one continuous 
 144
 
 WE BOMBARD SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 
 
 volley. A hoarse cheer came from a nearby 
 ship, proclaiming the landing of some favored 
 shot. 
 
 " Hurry, fellows," shouted " Hay " in an ec 
 stasy of impatience. " Lively there; we re miss 
 ing all the sport." 
 10 
 
 145
 
 CHAPTEK XL 
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT. 
 
 The scene on the gun deck of the " Yankee " 
 at that moment would have made an eloquent 
 subject for the brush of a Meissonier. It was 
 the deck of a warship in battle, and the spectacle 
 enacted was accompanied by an orchestra of the 
 mighty guns of a fleet in action. 
 
 Imagine a compartment of steel, a compart 
 ment filled with smoke that surged and eddied 
 as the ship lunged forward or rolled upon a 
 heavy swell. 
 
 Imagine scattered about in this pungent vapor 
 many groups of men, men half-naked, perspir 
 ing; their glistening bodies smeared and stained 
 with the grime of conflict. 
 
 Imagine in the centre of one of these groups 
 a wicked, menacing gun a five-inch breech 
 loader, its long, lean barrel raised shoulder-high 
 upon the apex of a conical gun-mount, near the 
 base of which are significant wooden cases, some 
 empty and others filled with elongated, formi- 
 146
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT. 
 
 dable cartridges; and pails of black, dirty water 
 ascum with powder; and other objects each sig 
 nificant of war. 
 
 Imagine these things, and then understand 
 that this gun, made to be turned against an 
 enemy, has now turned against its workers. In 
 the bore, pent in by the polished breechblock, 
 is a cartridge which has failed in its duty. It 
 is apparently defective. 
 
 The tide of battle is surging on; other ships 
 of the bombarding fleet are still pouring their 
 shot and shell upon the grim array of forts 
 ashore ; other guns of this ship are pursuing their 
 duty with savage energy. But this gun is silent. 
 
 The men wax impatient. It is the height of 
 the conflict. Many shots have been fired, and 
 many more will yet be required to subdue the 
 enemy. To be " out of action " will mean pas- 
 siveness in the face of the enemy. Anything 
 but that. 
 
 There is a rivalry between the guns crews. 
 It is a rivalry as to which shall make the best 
 shots and create the most damage. The mem 
 bers of Number Eight the after gun on the 
 port side are proud of their record. Their 
 second captain he whom they call " Hay " 
 has received the public commendation of the 
 captain himself, sent down from the bridge in 
 147
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 the midst of the battle. It is a mark of dis 
 tinction not given freely, and Number Eight is 
 eager for more honors. 
 
 But the men have not forgotten a similar case, 
 occurring on the voyage down the coast, when 
 another cartridge failed, and on being extracted 
 from the breech chamber, exploded, killing a 
 marine corporal and wounding others. 
 
 The men of Number Eight have not forgotten 
 that tragedy, and that is why their gun is now 
 to them a menacing creature of steel, whose 
 breath may be the breath of death. They stand 
 in groups, they eye it, they speculate, and they 
 feel that a desperate and perilous duty is before 
 them. 
 
 The risk must be taken. The cartridge must 
 be extracted. It is a fortune of war which all 
 who enlist must expect. But it is one thing 
 to fall before an enemy s blow, and another to 
 lose your life at the stroke of your own weapon. 
 
 The officer of the division steps forward. 
 
 " We will see if we can t take it out without 
 much danger," he says, briefly. " Bring a 
 rope." 
 
 One is hastily procured, and the first captain 
 
 a great, brawny, good-natured fellow, who has 
 
 spent years at sea deftly fastens the bight of 
 
 the rope to the handle of the breechblock. He 
 
 148
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT. 
 
 then retreats a short distance and signifies his 
 readiness. 
 
 " When I give the word," calls out the officer, 
 " pull handsomely. Ready pull away ! " 
 
 From out the smoke-filled compartment men 
 lean forward, eagerly anxiously. They in 
 stinctively shrink back as the breech plug slowly 
 moves. Then, when it finally opens, revealing 
 the brass head of the cartridge inside the firing 
 chamber, a sigh of relief comes from all. 
 
 But the danger is not yet over. 
 
 The defective projectile must be taken out 
 and tossed into the sea. The second loader steps 
 forward at a signal from the gun captain. This 
 second loader is " Stump." He shows no fear, 
 but draws out the heavy cartridge, handling it 
 as he would a harmless dummy, and passes it to 
 another man and myself. Carrying it between 
 us and carrying it gingerly we hasten to 
 the side, and with a powerful swing, launch 
 the hundred-pound projectile through the open 
 port. 
 
 It barely clears the port sill, coming so close 
 to it, in fact, that for one breathless second we 
 think that it will strike. As the shell passes 
 from view, another sigh of relief comes from the 
 spectators. " Hay " passes a grimy towel over 
 his perspiring face. 
 
 149
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 "Whew! that was a ticklish moment/ he 
 said, solemnly. " I d just as soon not handle 
 any more defective shells." 
 
 Which exactly represented our sentiments. 
 
 Three minutes later Number Eight was bark 
 ing away at the forts ashore, and the episode of 
 the cartridge that missed fire was a thing of the 
 past. 
 
 The bombardment of Santiago had now lasted 
 over an hour. As yet not one of the American 
 vessels had been reached by a shell, nor had the 
 forts suffered any perceptible damage. The 
 fleet, roaring and thundering, was swinging back 
 and forth through the great semicircle, the 
 smoke from the guns was banking along the 
 beach, and from Morro Castle and its attending 
 batteries came sharp, defiant answers to the in 
 terminable volleys fired by our squadron. 
 
 " It s a good thing Uncle Sam s shot locker is 
 pretty capacious," remarked Flagg, as we shoved 
 another cartridge into the yawning breech of 
 our five-inch gun. " If we haven t fired over 
 three hundred rounds since seven o clock I can t 
 count." 
 
 " It ll be double that before we get through," 
 grunted " Long Tommy," as we stepped back 
 from the loaded gun. " Steady, there. Stand 
 by!" 
 
 150
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT, 
 
 A motion to " Hay," who held the firing lan 
 yard, and almost instantly came the sharp, 
 vicious report of the breechloader. Each man 
 sprang back to his station, and the process of re 
 loading went on without delay. The battle 
 smoke from Number Six, which had filled our 
 port for some time, cleared away just then, en 
 abling us to see "Hay s " last shot strike squarely 
 upon the outer line of earthworks of the Punta 
 Gorda battery. 
 
 " Splendid shot, Hay ! " exclaimed our divi 
 sion officer, briefly. 
 
 "Bully, that s what it is bully!" cried 
 " Stump," patting the second captain upon the 
 back. 
 
 "Hurray! it s knocked out a gun," reported 
 " Dye," from nearer the port. " I saw the piece 
 keel over backward." 
 
 There was no time for further comment. 
 When a gun s crew is firing at will, and the ex 
 citement of combat has taken possession of the 
 individual members, the task in hand requires 
 all one s attention. We of Number Eight had 
 suffered one delay, and we really felt that the 
 lost time must be made up. 
 
 Personal impressions in battle have been de 
 scribed in prose and poem until the subject is 
 hackneyed, but it may be of interest to note that 
 151
 
 A GUXNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 the impressions experienced by the novices in 
 naval warfare manning the " Yankee," during 
 the bombardment of Santiago, consisted mainly 
 of one feeling. It was well-voiced by " Hod," 
 who said many days later: 
 
 " I felt just as I did one time when I attended 
 Barnum s circus in Madison Square Garden. 
 They had three rings, two platforms, a lot of 
 tight-ropes and trapezes and other things all 
 going at the same time. Before I had been in 
 the place three minutes I was wishing for a hun 
 dred eyes. And that is the way I felt at Santi- 
 ago." 
 
 What we saw of the bombardment was limited 
 to the range of our gun port, but that little was 
 worth all the hardships and toil and discomforts 
 of the whole cruise. The spectacle of the fleet 
 itself was almost enough. To see the great ships 
 ploughing through the water, each enveloped 
 in a shroud of smoke, shot here and there with 
 tinges of ruddy flame; to see that mighty line 
 swinging and swaying in front of the enemy; to 
 see the shells land and explode in fort and bat 
 tery; to see the great gaps torn in cliff and earth 
 works; to see the geyser-like fountains of water 
 spout up here and there as the Spanish shells 
 struck the surface of the bay to see all this, and 
 to hear the accompanying thunder and boom- 
 152
 
 ON THE GUN DECK DURING THE BOMBARDMENT (page 152).
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT. 
 
 ing of the guns, was payment in full for coal 
 handling and standing watch and " Government 
 straight." Not one of the " Yankee " boys 
 would have missed the spectacle for anything 
 earth could offer. 
 
 During the second hour of the attack we were 
 enabled to observe the work being done by other 
 vessels of the fleet. Near us was the gallant 
 " New Orleans," the ship purchased from Brazil. 
 Her foreign build made it easy to distinguish 
 her, and, as she was the only craft using smoke 
 less powder, she presented a prominent mark. 
 The guns on board the " New Orleans " were 
 being served rapidly and with precision, and we 
 saw a number of shots strike well within the 
 limits of the batteries. 
 
 At our end of the line the flagship " New 
 York," the "Iowa," and the "Oregon" were 
 pouring an appalling fire into some new earth 
 works near Morro Castle. It was seen that but 
 very few shots were sent in the direction of the 
 latter, and it transpired that Admiral Sampson 
 had issued strict orders to the fleet to avoid en 
 dangering Lieutenant Hobson and his brave 
 companions, who were supposed to be impris 
 oned in old Morro. Before the end of the 
 second hour the " New York " and the " New 
 Orleans " had succeeded in completely silencing 
 153
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Cayo Battery, dismantling the guns and wreck 
 ing the outer fortifications. 
 
 At the other end of the line Admiral Schley s 
 division was doing splendid work. We could 
 see the " Massachusetts," " Brooklyn," and 
 " Texas " move in toward shore and open fire at 
 close range. It was a stirring sight, this mighty 
 duel between warships and forts. As compared 
 with the cliffs and hills of the land, the ships 
 seemed veritable pigmies, but in this strife the 
 pigmies were all powerful. 
 
 The guns of the fleet were working havoc in 
 the forts ashore, and we could see -the Spanish 
 artillerymen abandon battery after battery. 
 Cayo, Punta Gorda, Estrella, and Catalena were 
 rapidly being vacated. The former was en 
 tirely out of the fight, and the others were reply 
 ing only at intervals. Presently the " Massa 
 chusetts " and " Marblehead " advanced within 
 two thousand yards of the Estrella fortification 
 and began such a terrific firing that within a 
 few minutes a great cloud of smoke appeared 
 above the works. The Spanish guns became 
 quiet at once, and a rousing cheer went up from 
 the fleet. 
 
 " Hay," in his exuberance, wanted to send a 
 five-inch shell from our gun at the burning fort, 
 but the distance was too great and he was com- 
 154
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT. 
 
 pelled to be content with a couple of well-aimed 
 shots at the nearest battery. 
 
 " I wish we had thirteen-inch guns and the 
 range was about ten feet," grumbled " Stump." 
 " I d like to smash the whole outfit in a pair of 
 minutes. By Cricky! we have poured enough 
 good old American steel into those forts to build 
 a bridge across the Atlantic, but the dagoes are 
 still giving us guff." 
 
 " It won t last much longer," said Tommy re 
 assuringly. " From the looks of those batteries 
 they haven t much fight left. I ll bet a hard 
 tack against a prune we haul off at four bells." 
 
 " Licked? " queried Flagg. 
 
 " Nope." 
 
 " Will the Spaniards give up? " asked " Dye." 
 
 Tommy hesitated before replying. It was a 
 brief lull and we were resting at the gun. The 
 crew, grimy, dirty, battle-stained and tired, was 
 glad to lean against the side of the deck or a 
 convenient stanchion. Tommy s long service in 
 the regular navy as apprentice and seaman 
 made his opinions official, and we were always 
 glad to listen to his explanations. 
 
 "Will the Spaniards give up?" repeated 
 " Dye." 
 
 " Yes, and no," replied the first captain 
 thoughtfully. " You see, it s this way. Those 
 155
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 dagoes are not fools by any means. They have 
 selected good places for their batteries, and they 
 know earthworks are hard to destroy. They 
 aren t like the old-style stone forts that could be 
 knocked to pieces in no time. When a shell, 
 even a thirteen-incher, hits a mound of earth it 
 tears up the dirt and spoils the look of the para 
 pet, but it really doesn t do much harm. To 
 completely ruin an earthwork battery, you must 
 dismantle every gun in it. And that s pretty 
 hard to do. Mark my words, those fellows will 
 give us a shot of defiance after we quit." 
 
 " What s the idea of all this bombarding 
 then? " asked " Stump." " We d be much bet 
 ter caulking off, seems to me." 
 
 " And think what it costs the Government," 
 I suggested. " The cost of the projectiles and 
 the wear and tear to guns and ships must be 
 something enormous." 
 
 Tommy s answer was drowned in the thunder 
 ing roar of the " New York s " battery, which 
 opened fire just then a short distance away, but 
 it was evident he agreed with me. A moment 
 later Number Eight went into action once more, 
 and we worked the breechloader without cessa 
 tion until the conclusion of the bombardment, 
 which came a half hour later. 
 
 The fortifications ashore had entirely ceased 
 156
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT. 
 
 firing, and at ten o clock a signal to stop bom 
 barding appeared on the flagship. It was obeyed 
 with reluctance, and it was evident the crews 
 of the various ships were anxious and eager to 
 continue. As the fleet drew off there was a puff 
 of smoke in one corner of Punta Gorda battery 
 and a shell whizzed over the " Massachusetts." 
 A second shot came from one of the earthworks, 
 and still another from Punta Gorda; then the 
 firing ceased again. 
 
 "Didn t I tell you so?" quietly remarked 
 Tommy. " The beggars ain t licked yet." 
 
 " But they got a taste of Uncle Sam s 
 strength," said Flagg. 
 
 " And I ll bet anything they haven t enough 
 whole guns left to equip one small fort," added 
 " Stump." 
 
 u I heard the skipper say the destruction of 
 life must be enormous," spoke up the " Kid," 
 stopping on his way aft to deliver a message. 
 " He watched the whole thing with his glass. 
 He told i Mother Hubbub the moral effect was 
 worth all the trouble." 
 
 " That s an expert opinion," observed " Hay," 
 wiping off the breech of the gun. " Now 
 you ve had your little say, youngster, so just 
 trot along." 
 
 The fleet presently reached its former station 
 157
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE YANKEE: 
 
 several miles off shore, and the bombardment of 
 Santiago was at an end. 
 
 No attempt was made to clean ship until late 
 in the afternoon. The men were permitted to 
 lie around decks and rest, smoke, and discuss the 
 fight, which they did with exceeding interest. 
 When dinner was piped at noon, the shrill call 
 of the boatswain s whistle was welcome music. 
 A sea battle is a good appetizer. 
 
 About four o clock in the afternoon the fleet 
 was treated to a spectacle both novel and humor 
 ous. The little " Dolphin," a gunboat of not 
 fifteen hundred tons displacement, which was 
 keeping guard close in shore, began to use her 
 guns. A battery near the channel returned the 
 fire, but the plucky little craft maintained her 
 position, and from the series of rapid reports 
 coming from her four-inch breechloaders and 
 six-pounders, it was evident she had something 
 important on hand. 
 
 The " Yankee " was signalled to run in to her 
 assistance, but before we could reach a position, 
 the " Dolphin " had accomplished her task. It 
 was not until then that we discovered what she 
 had been doing. 
 
 " May I never see home again if the gunboat 
 hasn t corralled a railway train in a cut! " ex 
 claimed "Patt." "Just look there, fellows. 
 158
 
 A PERILOUS MOMENT. 
 
 See that ridge of earth on the other side of the 
 channel? Just under it is a track running into 
 a cut and 
 
 " The k Dolphin has closed up both ends," 
 interrupted " Stump," with a laugh. " She s 
 knocked down a pile of earth and debris on the 
 track and the train can t get out. What a bully 
 trick." 
 
 Flagg produced a glass, and after a careful 
 scrutiny reported that he could see part of the 
 train lying on its side at the eastern end of the 
 cut. He could also distinguish a number of 
 bodies, and it was plain that the Spanish loss had 
 been heavy. It was not until later that we 
 learned the details, which were as follows : 
 
 After the bombardment the " Dolphin " re 
 mained at her station, firing occasionally at the 
 batteries ashore. She was directly opposite a 
 cut in the cliff, through which runs a little rail 
 way connecting the iron mines with the dock in 
 Santiago harbor. During the bombardment, a 
 train loaded with Spanish troops remained in the 
 cut, and at its conclusion attempted to leave. 
 It was espied by the " Dolphin " and driven 
 back. It tried the other end with like results, 
 and for an hour this game of hide-and-seek was 
 kept up, to the discomfiture of the train. While 
 waiting for the train to appear at either end, 
 159
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 the gallant little gunboat shelled a small block 
 house, and in time disabled it. Then she steamed 
 back to the fleet and reported that she had 
 " wrecked a trainload of troops and dismantled 
 a blockhouse." When she left for her station 
 again she was applauded by the whole squadron. 
 We learned later that one hundred and fifty men 
 were killed on the train. 
 
 Shortly after supper the " Yankee s " whale- 
 boat was called away and sent to the flagship, 
 returning an hour later with sealed orders from 
 the admiral. 
 
 At midnight we quietly steamed from our sta 
 tion and passed out to sea, our destination being 
 unknown to all save the commanding officer. 
 
 160
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 When a man-of-war sails from port under 
 what are called " sealed orders," which means 
 that the orders given to the captain by the ad 
 miral are not to be opened for a certain number 
 of hours, or until the ship reaches a certain de 
 gree of latitude, there is a mystery about the 
 affair which appeals strongly to the crew. 
 
 We of the " Yankee " felt very curious as to 
 our destination when we left Santiago that 
 night, and the interest was greatly stimulated 
 by the discovery, before we had gone very far, 
 that the " St. Louis " and " Marblehead " were 
 following us. 
 
 The " Rumor Committee " went into active 
 session without delay. 
 
 " Bet I can guess it," said " Stump," as a half 
 dozen of us met in the gangway. "We are 
 bound for a cable station somewhere." 
 
 " To cable the news of the fight? " said Flagg. 
 11 161
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 "No. That was done by one of the other 
 ships." 
 
 "What then?" 
 
 " To get permission from Washington to go 
 ashore and reclaim all that steel we wasted in 
 the bombardment." 
 
 There was a laugh at this sally. 
 
 " I have been figuring on the cost of the 
 fight," remarked " Hay," after a pause. " A 
 five-inch shell is worth $60, and as we fired about 
 two hundred and fifty, it means just $15,000 
 worth of five-inchers alone." 
 
 " Then there are the six-pounders." 
 
 " They cost $20 a shot," resumed " Hay," re 
 flectively. " I guess we must have fired about 
 a million of them." 
 
 " Hardly that," smiled Tommy, " but we ex 
 pended enough to bring the total up to $18,000 
 at the very least. War is a costly thing, boys." 
 
 When the quartermaster on duty came off 
 watch he joined us in the gangway, and reported 
 that we were steering a straight course to the 
 southward. 
 
 " If we keep it up we ll land somewhere near 
 the Antarctic Ocean," remarked Kennedy, 
 doubtfully. " I wonder " 
 
 "I know, I know," broke in the "Kid," 
 eagerly. " We re going for ice." 
 162
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 The burning question was solved at day 
 break. The morning sun brought into view a 
 stretch of highland which proved to be Cuba. 
 We had steamed out to sea on scouting duty, 
 and had doubled on our tracks, as it were. 
 The port we found to be Guantanamo, a 
 small place some forty miles to the eastward 
 of Santiago. 
 
 The town itself lies on a bay connected with 
 the sea by a tortuous and winding channel. The 
 entrance is protected by a fort and several block 
 houses, and when we steamed inshore we espied 
 the " St. Louis " and " Marblehead " laying to, 
 waiting for us outside. 
 
 The " Marblehead " preceding us, we entered 
 the harbor, and the two ships began a lively 
 bombardment, while the " St. Louis " lay out 
 side. Shortly after the firing began, a Spanish 
 gunboat was seen steaming out past the fort. A 
 few shots in her direction sent her scurrying 
 back again, and that was the last seen of her 
 during the fight. After the battle of the pre 
 vious day, this affair seemed insignificant, and 
 aroused little interest. 
 
 The blockhouses were destroyed and the fort 
 silenced after a short period of firing, and the 
 " St. Louis " proceeded with the duty which evi 
 dently had caused our visit. It was the cutting 
 163
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 of a cable connecting Guantanamo with the 
 outer world. 
 
 Our little fleet steamed to sea in the after 
 noon, returning just before dark. The fort, 
 showing signs of reanimation, was treated to an 
 other bombardment, which effectually settled it. 
 A small fishing hamlet composed of a dozen 
 flimsy huts of bamboo was set on fire and burned 
 to the ground. When we left Guantanamo 
 shortly after dark, bound back for Santiago, we 
 had the satisfaction of knowing that one more 
 blow had been struck against Spanish rule in 
 the fair isle of Cuba. 
 
 At dawn the following day, Santiago was 
 sighted. The fleet was still lying off the en 
 trance like a group of huge gray cats watching 
 a mouse hole. As we passed in, the flagship be 
 gan signalling, and it soon became noised about 
 the ship that we had received orders to leave for 
 Mole St. Nicholas after dark. 
 
 " It looks as if the Yankee will come in 
 handy as a messenger boy," said " Stump." 
 " When the admiral wants any old thing he 
 tells his flag officer to send the Naval Reserve 
 ship." 
 
 " It s a good thing to be appreciated," grinned 
 "Dye." "To tell the truth, though, I d rather be 
 on the move than lying here watching the land." 
 164
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 " We don t want to be away when Cervera 
 comes out," remarked Flagg. 
 
 " When he comes out," retorted " Stump," 
 emphasizing the first word meaningly. " The 
 old gentleman knows when he is well off and 
 he ll stay inside." 
 
 " Which, as the Texan said when he was ac 
 cused of stealing a horse," put in Tommy, " re 
 mains to be proved. Just you keep your eye on 
 the gun and wait." 
 
 " There goes another string of signals on the 
 New York, " exclaimed " Dye," pointing to 
 ward the flagship. "Whiz! I d hate to be a 
 signalman aboard of her. They are always at 
 it." 
 
 The flagship of a fleet like that assembled in 
 front of Santiago during the blockade, is cer 
 tainly kept very busy. In the naval service, 
 everything in the way of routine emanates from 
 the flagship. Every ship in the squadron, for in 
 stance, takes the uniform of the day from her. 
 The number of sick each morning must be re 
 ported by signal ; all orders (and they are legion) 
 are transmitted by wigwag or bunting; scores of 
 questions are asked daily by each ship, and it is 
 indeed seldom that the signal yards of a flagship 
 are bare of colored flags. 
 
 In the American navy the present methods of 
 165
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 communication are by the use of flags represent 
 ing numerals, by the Meyer code of wigwag 
 signals, and by a system of colored electric bulbs 
 suspended in the rigging. The latter system is 
 called after its inventor, Ardois. 
 
 In the day time, when ships are within easy dis 
 tance, wigwagging is commonly used. A small 
 flag attached to a staff is held by the signalman 
 in such a position that it can be seen by the ship 
 addressed. A code similar to the Morse tele 
 graph alphabet is employed. By this system the 
 flag, when waved to the right, represents 1, or a 
 dot; and 2, or a dash, when inclined to the left. 
 Each word is concluded by bringing the flag di 
 rectly to the front, which motion is called 3. 
 Naval signalmen, generally apprentices, become 
 very expert, and the rapidity with which they 
 can wigwag sentences is really remarkable. 
 
 The Ardois system of night signalling consists 
 of electric lights attached to the rigging. There 
 are four groups of double lamps, the two lamps 
 in each group showing red and white respec 
 tively. By the combination of these lights let 
 ters can be formed, and so, letter by letter, a 
 word, and thence an order, can be spelled out for 
 the guidance of the ships of a squadron. The 
 lamps are worked by a keyboard generally 
 placed on the upper bridge. 
 166
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 The " flag hoist " system, as it is termed, con 
 sists of the displaying of different flags at some 
 conspicuous place like the masthead. There 
 are a great many flags and pennants, differing 
 in color, shape, and design, each having its own 
 particular meaning, and when three or four are 
 shown aloft together, a number is formed, the 
 significance of which can only be determined by 
 referring to a code book. Each navy has a 
 private code, which is guarded with great care. 
 So particular are Governments in this respect, 
 that the commanding officer of every ship has 
 instructions to go to any length to destroy the 
 code book, if capture is imminent. During the 
 late war with Spain it was reported at one time 
 that the Spanish code had been secured. This 
 means that the Dons will be compelled to adopt 
 an entirely new code of signals. 
 
 Besides the above systems, signalling in the 
 navy includes various other devices. For in 
 stance, the fog whistle can be utilized in con 
 nection with the Meyer system of numerals. One 
 toot represents 1, two short toots 2, and a long 
 blast the end of a word. In a fog, this is the 
 only means practicable. Similar sounds can be 
 made by horn or gunfire. At night searchlights 
 are often used by waving the beam from the 
 right to the left, thus forming an electric wig- 
 167
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 wag, or by flash like the heliograph. On small 
 ships not fitted up with the Ardois system, the 
 Very night signal is used. This consists of a 
 pistol made for the purpose, which discharges 
 lights similar to those found in the ordinary 
 Roman candles. The colors are red and green, 
 and they are fired in combinations expressing the 
 numbers from 1 to 9 and 0, so that the numbers 
 to four digits contained in the signal book may 
 be displayed. 
 
 The " Yankee " was rigged with the Ardois 
 lamps, and she also carried all the necessary 
 signal flags and other paraphernalia required to 
 communicate with other vessels of the fleet. 
 The signalmen on board had been drilled in 
 their work as members of the Naval Reserve 
 prior to the beginning of the war, and they were 
 experts to a man. 
 
 On the evening of June 8th, while we were 
 idling about decks awaiting the order to get 
 under way, a small boat came alongside, having 
 as a passenger a captain of the army. He proved 
 to be a special agent who had succeeded in visit 
 ing the vicinity of Santiago, and was on his way 
 to Mole St. Nicholas for the purpose of cabling 
 to Washington. The mysterious manner in 
 which he boarded the ship, and the quickness 
 with which we steamed from port, created some 
 168
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 excitement, and we felt the importance of our 
 mission. 
 
 The night was dark and muggy an ideal time 
 for torpedo-boat work, and extra lookouts were 
 posted by order of the captain. Nothing of 
 interest occurred, however, until early next 
 morning. The ship was ploughing along at a 
 steady gait, and those of the watch who were 
 not on actual duty were snatching what sleep 
 they could in out-of-the-way corners, when sud 
 denly the call to " general quarters " was 
 sounded. Long practice caused prompt obedi 
 ence, and the various guns crews were soon 
 ready for action. 
 
 Very few of us knew just what was on foot 
 until the " Kid," in passing, contrived to convey 
 the interesting information that a big Spanish 
 fleet had been sighted dead ahead. 
 
 " That s funny," remarked " Stump," trying 
 to peer from the port. " We are not changing 
 our course any. Surely the old man doesn t 
 intend to tackle them alone." 
 
 " I guess the Kid is ( stringing us," ob 
 served Tommy, sagely. " He s up to that trick 
 every time. We re not chasing Spanish fleets 
 alone. The captain knows his business all right, 
 all right." 
 
 Word was brought from the upper deck pres-
 
 A &VNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE: 
 
 ently, that we were in pursuit of a strange 
 steamer which had been discovered lurking on 
 the horizon. She failed to respond to our sig 
 nals, and chase was made forthwith. The 
 " Yankee s " speed soon proved superior to that 
 of the stranger, and within an hour we had her 
 close aboard. 
 
 " It s an English tramp from the looks of 
 her," reported " Hay," who had a choice position 
 near the gun port. " She s got a dozen people 
 on the bridge and they are badly scared." 
 
 A blank six-pounder was fired, but she did not 
 heed it, so a shot was fired across the stranger s 
 bows, and she hove-to in short order. 
 
 tl Steamer ahoy! " came faintly to our ears 
 from on deck. " What steamer is that? " 
 
 The answer reached U3 in disjointed sentences, 
 but we heard enough to set us laughing. Tommy 
 smacked his hand upon the breech of the gun 
 and chuckled : " It s one of those everlasting 
 press boats. The sea is full of em." 
 
 " What in the deuce did they run for, I won 
 der? " exclaimed Kennedy. 
 
 " Afraid of us, I suppose. It s ticklish times 
 around here, and I don t blame them. Press 
 boats are not made to fight, you know." 
 
 "That idea doesn t carry out their motto," 
 drawled " Dye." 
 
 170
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 " How s that? " asked Flagg, innocently. 
 
 " Why, they claim that the pen is mightier 
 than the sword, don t they? " 
 
 After the laugh had subsided, " Morrie," 
 one of the Rochester detail, who acted as a 
 shellman in the crew of Number Eight, said 
 seriously : 
 
 " I am a great admirer of the press repre 
 sentatives down here, fellows. They are capa 
 ble, good writers, and there is not a branch of 
 the whole outfit that has been more faithful to 
 duty. They were sent here to get the news, and 
 they get it every time. There has never been 
 a war more ably reported than this, and, al 
 though the correspondents have to hustle day 
 and night, they still find time to keep us in 
 formed, and to give us an occasional paper from 
 home. They are good fellows all." 
 
 "Amen! "said "Hay." 
 
 After a time, the press boat sheered off, and 
 we continued on our course. Later in the morn 
 ing another steamer was sighted. The "Yan 
 kee " was sent after her at full speed. The 
 chase crowded on all steam, but she was soon 
 overhauled, and found to be a Norwegian trader. 
 After a satisfactory explanation she was per 
 mitted to go. Three hours later the " Yankee " 
 dropped anchor off Mole St. Nicholas, a Hay dan 
 171
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 seaport brought into some prominence through 
 the location of a cable station. 
 
 Mole St. Nicholas is a little collection of trop 
 ical-looking houses set among palm trees at the 
 foot of a large hill, which in places aspires to the 
 dignity of a mountain. The town itself is rather 
 picturesquely situated, the foliage-covered back 
 ground and beautiful inlet of pure clear water 
 giving it a natural setting very attractive to our 
 eyes. 
 
 After we had been anchored an hour or so, 
 a bumboat came out, manned by a crew of two 
 coal-black negroes who spoke a French patois, 
 intermingled with comical English. The boat 
 itself was a queer, stubby craft propelled by 
 home-made oars. Before the morning was well 
 advanced the ship was surrounded by boats car 
 rying shells, limes, prickly pears, green cocoa- 
 nuts, bananas, fish, and " water monkeys." The 
 latter were jugs made of a porous clay, and they 
 were eagerly purchased. The " water monkey " 
 is a natural cooler, and when placed in a draught 
 of air will keep water at a temperature delight 
 ful in a warm latitude. 
 
 "We parted with our mysterious passenger, the 
 
 army officer, and weighed anchor just as the sun 
 
 was setting. Lookouts were posted early, and 
 
 special instruction given by the captain to main- 
 
 172
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 tain a vigilant watch. The fact that we were 
 in the very theatre of war, and that several Span 
 ish cruisers, including the Spanish torpedo boat 
 " Terror," were reported as being in the vicinity, 
 kept a number of us on deck. 
 
 " It is one thing lying off a port with a lot of 
 other ships and bombarding a few measly earth 
 works, and another to be sneaking about in the 
 darkness like this, not knowing when you will 
 run your nose against an enemy twice as large," 
 said Flagg, as several of Number Eight s crew 
 met on the forecastle. " I tell you, it feels like 
 war." 
 
 " Reminds me of a story I heard once," put 
 in " Stump," lazily. He was lounging over the 
 rail with his back to us and his words came 
 faintly. The deck was shrouded in gloom, and 
 the vague outlines of the pilot-house, only a 
 dozen feet away, was the length of our vision aft. 
 A soft, purling sound came from over the side 
 where the waves lapped against the steel hull. A 
 shovel grated stridently now and then in the fire 
 room, and occasionally a block rattled or a hal 
 liard flapped against the foremast overhead. 
 The surroundings and the strange, weird " feel " 
 of the darkness were peculiarly impressive. 
 
 " I don t know whether we care to hear any 
 story," observed " Hay." " Better keep it until 
 173
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 later, Stump. The night s too wonderful to 
 do anything except lounge around and think. 
 Whew! isn t it dark? " 
 
 " This story I was going to tell you requires 
 a setting like this," replied " Stump." " It is 
 about a ship that started from England years and 
 years ago. She had as passengers a lot of luna 
 tics who were to be experimented upon by a 
 doctor about as crazy as they. He bought the 
 ship, fitted it up with a number of little iron 
 cages, and set forth with his queer cargo. Ten 
 days out, the lunatics broke from their quarters 
 and captured the vessel. One of them, who had 
 been a sea captain in his time, took charge, and 
 proceeded to carry out a little idea of his own, 
 which was to make sane people crazy." 
 
 " That was turning the tables with a ven 
 geance," drawled " Dye," from his perch on an 
 upturned pail. " I wonder if he was any rela 
 tion to Cutlets ? " 
 
 " A lineal ancestor, I ll bet a biscuit," chimed 
 in " Hay." " Don t you remember the quota 
 tion, By these acts you will know their fore 
 fathers, or something like that? " 
 
 " Well," resumed " Stump," " the crazy cap 
 tain put the doctor and the crew in the cages 
 and began to feed them hardtack and berth-deck 
 
 scouse and salt-horse and " 
 
 174
 
 THE SEARCHLIGHT " SWEEPING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE 
 
 BLACK OP THE HORIZON " (page 175).
 
 IN SEARCH OF ADVENTURE. 
 
 " Must have been a Government naval con 
 tractor in his time," murmured " Morrie." 
 
 "I bet I know the rest," exclaimed the "Kid," 
 coming up in time to grasp the situation. " The 
 captain set his prisoners to carrying coal from 
 the after hold forward and then back again, 
 didn t he?" 
 
 " If you fellows think you can tell the story 
 better than I can, go ahead," retorted " Stump," 
 in disgust. " You are like a lot of old maids 
 at a sewing circle. I give " 
 
 "What was that?" suddenly cried "Hay," 
 springing to his feet. " If it wasn t a flash of 
 light I ll eat my " 
 
 A figure hastily emerged from the gloom aft. 
 
 " Go to your stations at once, you men," called 
 out a voice. " General quarters! " 
 
 As we scurried toward the hatch a great shaft 
 of light appeared off the port beam, and began 
 sweeping back and forth across the black of the 
 horizon. 
 
 "Good heavens! " exclaimed "Hay," "it s a 
 searchlight on some man-of-war. We re in for 
 it now! " 
 
 175
 
 CHAPTER XHI. 
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 The finger of light sweeping the heavens 
 above the distant horizon meant to us the pres 
 ence either of friend or foe, and the question 
 was one we had little desire to solve at that mo 
 ment. Rumors of Spanish warships lurking in 
 the waters adjacent to Cuba were rife, and it 
 had even been stated that another squadron in 
 ferior only to Cervera s fleet was somewhere in 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 We of the " Yankee " were willing, and I 
 may say, without undue boasting, eager to meet 
 any vessel of equal size or even larger, but to 
 give battle to a whole fleet was a little too much. 
 Nevertheless, when the word was passed to go to 
 " general quarters," there was no sulking nor 
 hesitancy. 
 
 The battery was ready in record time. 
 
 Our gun was placed in trim, ammunition 
 hatches opened, cartridges whipped on deck, 
 176
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 and the piece prepared for instant use so rapidly 
 that the officer of the division, Lieutenant 
 Greene, gave us warm praise. 
 
 Then we waited. 
 
 It is difficult for a layman a citizen who has 
 not experienced the test of action and danger 
 in battle to understand or appreciate our feel 
 ings that night. It is hard to describe them, 
 to paint with mere words the intense serious 
 ness and gravity of the situation. You can 
 imagine a dark night at sea a night so black 
 that the senses feel oppressed. You can add to 
 these a thrill of impending danger and a vision 
 of capture by a cruel enemy and the thought 
 that the very next second will sound the signal 
 for an uproar and outbreak of combat, but your 
 impressions will fall far short of the reality 
 that must be experienced to be appreciated. 
 
 As we stood at our stations surrounding 
 Number Eight gun, I tried to read the faces of 
 my companions, to see if I could find in them 
 traces of worry or anxiety, or of fear. The situ 
 ation warranted even the latter emotion. The 
 dim light cast by the flickering battle lanterns 
 sent fantastic shadows dancing over deck and 
 bulkhead, and caused the men at the guns to 
 resemble, in their stained white working clothes, 
 so many gaunt spectres. 
 12 177
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 But they were spectres with a grim purpose 
 in view, and as the officer of the division strode 
 back and forth, alert and watchful, they fol 
 lowed his movements with their eyes, eager for 
 the word that would set them in action. They 
 were not veterans, and their experience in war 
 could have been measured by days, but they 
 were honestly ready to fight and to shed the 
 last drop of their blood for the flag waving over 
 the taffrail. 
 
 It was a ticklish situation. Even the " Kid," 
 with his careless, happy-go-lucky mind, would 
 have admitted that; but as time passed without 
 bringing a break in the monotony of waiting, 
 we began to feel restless. The tension was still 
 great, but the first sense of apprehension was 
 gone. 
 
 " I do wish something would happen," mut 
 tered " Hay," after a while. " Can you see any 
 thing from that port, Morrie ? " 
 
 " A wall of blackness, that s all," replied the 
 Rochester man. 
 
 " We ve changed our course several times," 
 spoke up Flagg. " I think the old man is 
 scooting for cover." 
 
 " Fool if he didn t," growled Tommy. " They 
 have a pretty habit of court-martialling naval 
 officers when they risk their ship unnecessarily. 
 178
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 If Captain Brownson should fail to do all in his 
 power to escape from what his judgment tells 
 him is overwhelming odds, he d find himself in 
 trouble. Discretion is the better part of valor, 
 even in the navy." 
 
 Suddenly we began to notice a peculiar glow 
 tinging the darkness, and reflecting from the 
 polished parts of the gun. It came suddenly 
 and with a spurt of ruddy light unmistakable. 
 
 " It s a fire somewhere," exclaimed Flagg. 
 " Look! it s getting brighter." 
 
 " It comes from this ship," cried " Stump," 
 edging toward the port. " Is it possible the old 
 hooker is on fire? " 
 
 "We waited for the ringing of the alarm bell, 
 or the call to " fire quarters," but the minutes 
 slipped by without the summons. Outside, the 
 ruddy glare tinged the surface of the sea, spark 
 ling from foam-crested waves, and forming a 
 circle of dancing light through which the " Yan 
 kee " speeded on in her flight for safety. 
 
 Our curiosity increased apace, and we watched 
 eagerly for passing messengers or for some stray 
 word that would explain the peculiar phenome 
 non. It was Kennedy who finally solved the 
 mystery Kennedy the luckless, he whom we 
 dubbed " Lucky Bag," because of his propensity 
 to allow his wearing apparel to find its way into 
 179
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 the clutches of " Jimmy Legs." Kennedy had 
 slipped near the port and was trying to perform 
 the difficult feat of scanning the upper deck 
 from the opening. 
 
 " Oome back here and stop that rubber 
 necking, No. 7," called out Tommy. " Do you 
 want to get on the report? " 
 
 " For the hundred and steenth time," added 
 " Stump," with a grin. 
 
 " Perhaps he s seasick," suggested " Dye." 
 " It s about due. He hasn t heaved up his boots 
 since noon." 
 
 " Did you hear what l Cutlets said to him 
 yesterday? " spoke up " Hay." " He was wig 
 ging Kennedy, and he remarked in his tender 
 way, Look here, you hero, why don t you brace 
 up and be a man? You are continually sick 
 or on the report, and you aren t worth your 
 salt. Get down below now, and fill your 
 billet. Poor devil! he tries to do his best, I 
 guess." 
 
 Just then Kennedy faced around toward us 
 and we saw that he was laughing. 
 
 " What do you think? " he said. " It s a fire 
 after all." 
 
 "A fire? Where? " we gasped simultaneously. 
 
 " In the furnaces. I saw a big flame leaping 
 from the funnel. Gee! they must be whooping 
 180
 
 ADMIRAL 
 
 VICE ADMIRAL REAR ADMIRAL 
 
 COMMISSION PENNANT 
 
 CHURCH PEINNANT
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 her up below to beat the band. Coal piled up 
 to the top of the flues." 
 
 "It s oil," exclaimed Tommy, gravely. "They 
 are feeding the fires with crude oil. That means 
 the last resort, fellows. The old man is trying 
 to get every ounce of steam possible." 
 
 Our curiosity satisfied, we felt more at ease, 
 and we lounged at our stations and listened to 
 the banging of furnace doors and grating of 
 shovels in the fire room below. Occasionally 
 one of us would venture an opinion or try to 
 exchange views, and " Stump " even started 
 a story, but in the main we were quiet and 
 watchful. 
 
 From the swaying and trembling of the hull 
 it was evident the " Yankee " was being pushed 
 at her utmost speed. Mess gear rattled in the 
 chests, the deck quivered, and from down in 
 the lower depths came the quick throb-throb of 
 the overworked engines. Presently the red 
 glare caused by the upleaping flames from the 
 funnel died away, and darkness settled down 
 again. 
 
 " I guess we are making it," observed Tommy. 
 " We have been a good two hours racing at this 
 gait, which means a matter of almost forty 
 miles." 
 
 " They might let us take a run on deck," 
 181
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 grumbled Flagg. " What s the use of hold 
 ing up this gun all night? It s getting monoto 
 nous." 
 
 " Here comes the * Kid, " exclaimed " Dye." 
 " He may have some news." 
 
 The youngster brought a message to Lieu 
 tenant Greene. As he started off, he whispered : 
 
 " We are going to secure in a few moments. 
 It has been a great scoot. I heard the captain 
 say to Mother Hubbub that it would go down 
 in history as a masterly retreat." 
 
 " Was it a Spanish fleet? " queried " Hay." 
 
 " They are not certain. The skipper now 
 thinks that it was a convoy of transports bring 
 ing the army of occupation. He didn t stop to 
 find out, though. Say, you fellows look tired. 
 Why don t you pipe down ? " 
 
 He scurried off with a laugh, and we were 
 just settling back for another siege of it when 
 the welcome order came to " secure." The 
 order was executed in a jiffy, and then those 
 who had the off watch piled into their hammocks 
 with a celerity seldom equalled. Santiago was 
 reached early the following morning, and before 
 the day was over we heard that our neighbors 
 of the night before were, as the captain had 
 suspected, a fleet of transports bringing troops 
 from the United States.
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 " Which doesn t alter the fact that we dis 
 played wisdom in taking a sneak, " commented 
 Tommy, grimly. " It s a clever chief who knows 
 when to retreat." 
 
 The great gray ships still tossed idly on the 
 rolling blue sea when we took our station at the 
 right of the line. 
 
 It seemed more like a panorama, arranged for 
 the amusement of an admiring crowd, than a 
 fleet of floating forts ready at a moment s notice 
 to pour out death and destruction. 
 
 The flagship " New York," gay with signal 
 bunting, was the centre of a fleet of launches 
 and small boats. The boats crews, in white 
 duck, lounged in their places, while the cap 
 tains were aboard conferring with the admiral. 
 
 The torpedo boat " Porter " flashed in and 
 out between the grim battleships in an almost 
 playful way. 
 
 A signal boy on the " Brooklyn " held a long 
 wigwag conversation with the flagship, the bit 
 of bright color showing sharply against the lead- 
 colored turret. 
 
 It was hard to realize that only a few days 
 ago these same ships, that now rested so calmly 
 and majestically, were enveloped in clouds of 
 smoke, their great guns spitting forth fire and 
 a fearful hail of steel. 
 
 183
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "7ANKEE." 
 
 We looked at picturesque old Morro on the 
 bluff, and there, close to the lighthouse, still 
 floated the Spanish colors. It was aggravating, 
 and we would like to have shot the hateful bunt 
 ing away. 
 
 We had no sooner reached our station than 
 the boatswain s call echoed from one end of the 
 ship to the other, " Away gig." Whereupon 
 the gig s crew rushed below and " broke out " 
 clean whites. No matter what happens, the 
 gig s crew must always be clean, both in person 
 and apparel. 
 
 Our gig soon joined the fleet of waiting boats 
 at the flagship s gangway, and lay there while 
 the captain went aboard. 
 
 The skipper returned about noon and went 
 forward. Immediately, we heard the cry " All 
 hands on the gig falls." Then, before the boat 
 was fairly out of water, we heard the engine 
 bell jingle. 
 
 We were off again. 
 
 Some active member of the " Rumor Com 
 mittee " said we were bound for Jamaica. And 
 after consultation with a signal boy, who came 
 aft to read the patent log, we found that we were 
 heading for that island. 
 
 The wind was dead ahead and blowing fresh 
 and cool, but the sun was hot, and the boat- 
 184
 
 "EVERY HOUR A SIGNAL BOY CAME RUNNING AFT TO 
 
 READ THE LOG " (page 185). 
 
 "ALL HANDS ON THE CAT PALLS !" (page 186).
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 swain s mates were instructed to keep the men 
 in the shade as much as possible. 
 
 The stress and strain of the night before made 
 the few hours of " caulking off/ that we now 
 enjoyed, particularly grateful. 
 
 We lay so thick on the windward side of the 
 spar deck under the awning, that it would have 
 been difficult to find foot room. 
 
 Every hour a signal boy came running aft to 
 read the log, which was attached to the taffrail 
 on the starboard quarter. The log worked on 
 the same principal as a bicycle cyclometer. It 
 had two dials that indicated the miles and frac 
 tions of miles as they were reeled off. A long, 
 braided line, having what we called a " twister " 
 attached, trailed behind in the water and made 
 the wheels go round, a certain number of revolu 
 tions to the mile. 
 
 Hour after hour the ship rushed through the 
 water. The engines throbbed in a regular, settled 
 sort of way, that reminded one of a man snoring. 
 The wind blew softly and caressingly. The ship 
 rolled easily in the long swell. It was soothing 
 and restful, and we felt quite reconciled to life 
 in the navy. We almost forgot that we were on 
 an engine of war; that there was enough am 
 munition below to blow up several " Maine s," 
 and that we were cruising in the enemy s country. 
 185
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " lANKEE." 
 
 The men talked cheerfully of home, pursuits, 
 and pleasures, for it was too fine, too bright, to 
 be depressed. 
 
 Finally the sun went down in a blaze of glory, 
 dropping suddenly into the sea as it is wont to 
 do in the tropics. 
 
 In a few minutes it was dark. In these lati 
 tudes there is practically no twilight; the sun 
 jumps into his full strength in the morning, and 
 quenches his glory in the sea before one realizes 
 the day is gone. 
 
 Soon after dark the lookouts began to report 
 lights, and before long we found ourselves 
 steaming into a fine harbor, which we learned 
 was Port Antonio. 
 
 A delightful feeling of security stole over us. 
 We were at anchor in a friendly port, the in 
 habitants of which spoke the same tongue as 
 we did and sympathized with us. We turned in 
 at the earliest possible moment, and as we lay 
 in our " elevated folding beds," as " Hay " called 
 them, we could hear unmistakable shore sounds 
 the barking of dogs, the crowing of cocks, and 
 according to some active imaginations, even the 
 bell of a trolley car. 
 
 At one o clock we were wakened by the call, 
 " All hands on the cat falls." We slipped out 
 of our " dream bags " with the best grace we 
 186
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 could muster, and went forward to pull up the 
 anchor to its place on the forecastle deck. 
 
 So we gave up the pleasant idea that we were 
 to spend the night undisturbed, and the guns 
 crews of the watch on deck made themselves as 
 comfortable as possible under the circumstances, 
 on their wooden couch around the guns; viz., the 
 deck. 
 
 When the sun rose next morning, we found 
 that land was plainly visible from the port side, 
 and we soon learned that we were still in Jamai 
 can waters and would arrive at Montego Bay 
 about ten o clock. 
 
 The programme was carried out to the dot. 
 
 The " Yankee " steamed into the beautiful 
 bay, the crew "at quarters," in honor of the 
 English man-of-war " Indefatigable," which lay 
 at anchor there, and we had hardly let down 
 our anchor when a fleet of " bumboats " came 
 chasing out to us. 
 
 Though an American warship had never 
 visited this port before, we seemed to be recog 
 nized by these enterprising marine storekeepers 
 as easy prey. 
 
 The native " bumboat " is a dugout affair 
 
 very narrow for its length, and seemingly so 
 
 cranky that we marvelled at the size of the sail 
 
 carried. They brought fruits of all kinds, and to- 
 
 187
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 bacco, so we didn t stop to criticise their rig, 
 but showed plainly that we were right glad to 
 see them. 
 
 The boatmen and women were all colored 
 people and, like the race the world over, were 
 most fantastically and gaily clothed. The 
 women wore bright-hued calico dresses, and 
 brighter bandana handkerchiefs on their heads. 
 The men wore flaming neckties, gay shirts, 
 and, in some cases, tall white or gray beaver 
 hats. 
 
 The boats were filled with yellow, green, and 
 red fruits and brightly-colored packages of to 
 bacco, the whole making a most vivid and bril 
 liant display of color. 
 
 The crew bought eagerly, regardless of price. 
 Limes, oranges, mangoes, bananas, and pine 
 apples came over the side in a steady stream, 
 while an equally steady, though smaller, stream 
 of silver went back to the boats. 
 
 It was a harvest day for the Montego Bay 
 " bumboatmen." 
 
 Though we bought the fruits without hesita 
 tion, we bit into them gingerly, for, to most of 
 us, many of them were strange. 
 
 Tom Le Valley brought me a mango and said 
 that I could have it if I would sample it and tell 
 what it was like. I accepted, for I had not been 
 188
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 lucky enough to get near a boat to buy for 
 myself. 
 
 He handed me something that looked like a 
 pear but was of the color of an orange. I was 
 just about to bite into it when I chanced to look 
 up. I saw that I was the target of all eyes. 
 Putting on a bold front, I sunk my teeth in the 
 yellow rind. I found it was pleasant to the 
 taste, but unlike anything that I had ever put 
 in my mouth before. Still the fellows gazed at 
 me. Was it a trick mango I had tackled so reck 
 lessly? I determined not to be stumped, and 
 took a good big bite. In a moment, I discov 
 ered why I was the " observed of all observers." 
 The last bite loosened a good deal of the peel, 
 and the thing began to ooze. It oozed through 
 my fingers and began to run down my sleeve; it 
 dripped on my trousers and made an ineradicable 
 stain; my face was smeared with it, my hands 
 were sticky with it, my mouth was full of it, 
 and still the blamed thing oozed. 
 
 Then the unfeeling crowd laughed. Some 
 one shouted " get under the hose." Another 
 yelled " Swab ho," whereupon a none too clean 
 deck swab was brought and applied to my face 
 and hands, protests being unavailing. 
 
 I afterwards remarked to Tom that he had 
 better try experiments on himself, or present me 
 189
 
 A OUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 with a bathtub along with the next mango, and 
 I have since learned that a Distinguished Per 
 son came to the same conclusion when first intro 
 duced to this deceitful fruit. 
 
 We enjoyed our stay in this beautiful island 
 port very much, and it was with great reluctance 
 that we obeyed the order to " haul on the cat 
 falls." As we were walking away with that 
 heavy line, we saw a liberty party from the 
 English warship start for shore in the ship s 
 cutters, and we envied them with all our hearts. 
 
 The town looked very attractive, set as it was 
 on the side and at the base of a high hill, the 
 red-tiled roofs of its houses showing against the 
 graceful, green palm trees. On our left, a 
 grove of cocoanut palms flourished, and beneath 
 grazed a herd of cattle. 
 
 Soon the ship began to back out, and then, as 
 the bay grew wider, she turned slowly and 
 headed for the open. 
 
 " Lash your mess chests," said messenger 
 " Kid " to the berth deck cooks. " Orders from 
 the officer of the deck," he added. 
 
 He turned to us, who were standing by the 
 open port. " I guess we ll have a lively time of 
 it, for I heard Cutlets say the barometer is 
 dropping at a terrible rate." 
 
 The " Kid " scurried further aft to give the 
 190
 
 A NARROW ESCAPE. 
 
 order to the boatswain s mates and master-at- 
 arms. 
 
 We looked out to seaward and noted the black 
 sky and the rising wind. 
 
 " I guess you heroes will have a chance to 
 show what right you have to be called seamen," 
 said " Stump," mimicking " Cutlets." 
 
 191
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 " Watch on deck, put on your oilers," shouted 
 the boatswain s mates. 
 
 The order came none too soon, for as the last 
 man ran up the companion-way ladder, the rain 
 began to drop in sheets. 
 
 The rising wind drove the rain in our faces 
 with stinging force, and we were soon wet as 
 drowned rats. 
 
 The white-capped seas raced alongside, and 
 the " Yankee " heaved and tossed like a buck 
 ing bronco. The lookouts at the masthead 
 swayed forward and back, to and fro, dizzily, 
 and the officer of the deck on the bridge had 
 difficulty in keeping his feet. The pots and 
 pans in the galley banged noisily, and ever and 
 anon the screw was lifted out of the water, and 
 for a few turns shook the ship from stern to 
 stem with its accelerated speed. 
 
 A number of men who had partaken too 
 freely of tropical fruits manned the rail and 
 192
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 seemed too much interested in the seething 
 water below to notice the rain that was dripping 
 down their necks. 
 
 For a time, things were very lively aboard the 
 old hooker, and, though in the main unpleasant, 
 the grandeur of the sea in the tempest made up 
 for all discomforts. The flash of the lightning, 
 the roar of the thunder, the hum and whistle of 
 the wind through the rigging, and the swish of 
 the seas as they dashed themselves to spray 
 against the sides of the ship all this made an 
 impressive chorus, more stirring even than the 
 roar of cannon and the shriek of shell. 
 
 When " hammocks " was blown by the ship s 
 bugler at a quarter to seven, we found it difficult 
 to make our way forward to the nettings. One 
 moment we were toiling up the deck s steep in 
 cline; the next, the ship would bury her prow, 
 and we were rushing forward pell mell. The 
 boat seemed to be endowed with diabolical intel 
 ligence that night. A man might, perchance, 
 stoop to tie his shoe or examine a freshly stubbed 
 toe, when the ship would seem to divine that 
 she had him at a disadvantage, and would leap 
 forward so that he would immediately stand on 
 his head, or affectionately and firmly embrace a 
 convenient stanchion. " Pride cometh before a 
 fall," and the man who thought he had caught 
 13 193
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 the swing and could walk a chalk line on the 
 deck, soon found that the old boat knew a new 
 trick or two, and in a twinkling of an eye he was 
 sawingthe air frantically with his arms, in his 
 efforts to keep his balance. 
 
 Though the force of the tropical storm was 
 soon spent, the sea continued high, and loco 
 motion was difficult. 
 
 The hammocks were given out by the " ham 
 mock stowers " of the watch on duty. They 
 called out the numbers stenciled on our " dream 
 bags," and the owners stepped forward and 
 claimed them. As soon as a man secured his 
 hammock he immediately slung it in place, un- 
 lashed it, and arranged the blankets to his liking. 
 
 A group gathered around the capstan aft, 
 after the hammock ceremony had been com 
 pleted. 
 
 Some one said, " I m glad I can sleep in a 
 hammock a night like this; the heave of the ship 
 will be hardly felt." 
 
 "Yes," responded the "Kid," "I wouldn t 
 swap my sleeping bag for the captain s bed, 
 to-night," 
 
 " That reminds me," said " Stump." " Speak 
 ing of beds when we were in New York a 
 friend of mine came aboard to see me. He had 
 a sister, but left her at home." 
 194
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 " You can thank your lucky stars he did. If 
 she d seen your weary, coal-covered visage, you 
 could not even have been a brother to her," in 
 terrupted " Hay." 
 
 " I guess you re right," responded " Stump," 
 with an appreciative grin. " Anyhow, she did 
 not come. So when her brother got home she 
 plied him with questions this he wrote me 
 afterwards wanted to know how I looked, 
 asked what the ship was like, inquired about our 
 food, and then she questioned him about my 
 stateroom. Was it prettily decorated? Whose 
 photograph occupied the place of honor on my 
 dressing table? 
 
 " Billy, my friend," explained " Stump," " is 
 a facetious sort of chap, so he told her that 
 of course such a large crew could not all have 
 staterooms, but / had a very nice one, that 
 could be folded when not in use, and put to 
 one side out of the way. It was made of can 
 vas, he said, so constructed that it would always 
 swing with the ship, and so keep upright in a 
 rolling sea. 
 
 " She listened intently, and finally broke out 
 enthusiastically : How nice ! 
 
 " Billy almost had a fit at that, and I nearly 
 had, when I read his letter." 
 
 We all laughed heartily and trooped below to 
 195
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 enjoy a few hours sleep in our " folding state 
 rooms." 
 
 The next day dawned bright and clear, and 
 warm; with nothing to remind us of the storm 
 of the night before except the seedy look on the 
 faces of some of the " heroes " who were prone 
 to seasickness. 
 
 The sun had not been up many hours when 
 the masthead lookout shouted, " Sail ho! " To 
 which the officer of the deck replied, " Where 
 away? " 
 
 " Dead ahead, sir. Looks like one of the ves 
 sels of the fleet, sir." 
 
 And so we joined the squadron again, after 
 an absence of twenty-four hours. 
 
 Nothing had occurred while we were away. 
 Cervera s fleet was still " bottled up " in Santi 
 ago harbor, and the American fleet held the 
 cork so effectively that even a torpedo boat 
 could not get out. 
 
 After preparing the ship for the usual Sunday 
 inspection, and arraying ourselves in clean 
 whites, polished shoes, and stockings, we thought 
 we had done all the work that would be required 
 of us for the day. But when the gig returned, 
 bringing the skipper from the flagship, we 
 learned that we were to get under way right 
 after dinner, and steam to the westward. 
 196
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 After " turn to " was sounded at 1:15 o clock, 
 we noted a long string of signal flags flying from 
 the signal yard, which we found requested per 
 mission from the flagship to proceed at once. 
 As the affirmative pennant on the " New York " 
 slowly rose to its place on the foremast, the 
 " Yankee s " jingle bell sounded, and the ship 
 began to gather headway. 
 
 At "afternoon quarters" 1:30 a drill, 
 new to us, was taught; called by the officers 
 " physical drill," and by the men " rubber-neck 
 ing." We hardly felt the need of exercise. 
 The swinging of a swab and use of sand and 
 canvas, to say nothing of " scrub and wash 
 clothes" before breakfast, seemed to us sufficient 
 work to keep our muscles in good condition; 
 but it is one of the axioms in the navy that 
 " Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to 
 do," so the men were soon lined up sufficient 
 space being given each man to allow him to 
 swing his arms, windmill fashion, without inter 
 fering with his neighbor. 
 
 A regular calisthenic exercise was gone 
 through, such as may be seen in gymnasiums all 
 over the country; but instead of a steady, even 
 floor, upon which it would be quite easy to 
 stand tiptoe, on one foot, or crouched with 
 bended knees, it was quite a different matter 
 197
 
 A OVNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 to do these " stunts " on the constantly rolling 
 deck. 
 
 At the order, " Knee stoop, one," we bent our 
 knees till we sat on our heels. " Heads up, 
 hands on the hips, there! " said Mr. Greene of 
 our division, as some one obeyed an almost ir 
 resistible impulse to keep his balance by putting 
 out his hand. The man obeyed, but at that 
 instant the ship gave a lurch, and the poor chap 
 fell over on his head and almost rolled down 
 the berth-deck hatch. 
 
 The laugh that followed was promptly sup 
 pressed, and though the exercise was not carried 
 out with a great deal of grace or ease, Mr. 
 Greene seemed to be satisfied with the first 
 attempt. 
 
 We steamed along all the afternoon past the 
 coast of Cuba and within plain sight of the 
 beautiful, surf-rimmed beach. We looked for 
 signs of the enemy, but not a living thing could 
 be seen. Not a sign of human habitation; not 
 an indication that any human being had ever 
 set foot on this desolate land. So beautiful, so 
 grand, so lonely was it that we longed to go 
 ashore and shout, just to set a few echoes rever 
 berating in the hills. 
 
 Toward night, we turned seaward, and the 
 land was lost to view; at the same time the 
 198
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 " Yosemite," manned by the Michigan Naval 
 Reserves, who had accompanied us thus far, 
 dropped out of sight in the haze. She was 
 bound for Jamaica. 
 
 A ship painted the " war color " now in vogue 
 in the United States navy, will disappear as if 
 by magic when dusk comes on. The lead color 
 makes any object covered with it invisible in 
 half light or a haze. 
 
 There had been much speculation during the 
 day and evening as to our probable destination, 
 but we remained in ignorance until the next 
 morning, when it became known that our orders 
 were to call at the port of Cienfuegos, a promi 
 nent city of southern Cuba, some three hundred 
 and thirty miles from Santiago. 
 
 It was reported that the object of our visit 
 was to intercept and capture a blockade runner 
 said to be aiming for that port. The news re 
 ceived an enthusiastic welcome fore and aft. 
 The billet of " fleet messenger " was becoming 
 tiresome. 
 
 The land had been sighted at two bells (nine 
 o clock), and all hands were looking for Cien 
 fuegos, but it was past one before the mouth of 
 the harbor was gained. The " Yankee s " crew 
 were at regular quarters at the time, but a hur 
 ried order to dismiss and clear ship for action 
 199
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 sent the different guns crews scurrying to their 
 stations. 
 
 To add to the interest, word came from the 
 bridge to train the guns aft and to do everything 
 possible to disguise the cruiser. 
 
 " We are to masquerade as a blooming mer 
 chantman," chuckled " Dye." " This reminds 
 me of my boyhood days when I read pirate 
 stories. Do you remember that yarn about 
 Kydd, where he rigged painted canvas about his 
 ship and hid all the ports, Stump ? It was 
 great. The whole piratical crew, with the ex 
 ception of a dozen men, kept below, and when 
 a poor unfortunate ship came along, the blood 
 thirsty villains captured her." 
 
 " I wish they had caught you at the same 
 time," retorted " Stump." " Then we wouldn t 
 be bothered with your infernal cackle. Here, 
 give me a hand with this mess chest." 
 
 By this time the task of preparing for action 
 was an old story, and we made short work of it. 
 The call to " general quarters " followed without 
 delay, and, as we prepared the battery for action, 
 word came from above that a large gunboat, 
 showing Spanish colors, was leaving the harbor 
 in our direction. 
 
 " Which means a scrap of the liveliest descrip 
 tion," muttered Tommy. " They evidently take 
 200
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 us for a trader without guns, and they ll attack 
 us sure." 
 
 Boom! 
 
 A six-pounder gave voice from the spar deck, 
 instantly followed by a five-inch breechloader in 
 the waist. Number Eight was loaded, and 
 " Hay," who held the firing lanyard, snatched 
 another sight, then stood erect with left hand 
 in the air. 
 
 " Ready, sir," he called out to the officer of 
 the division. 
 
 " Fire! " came the reply promptly. 
 
 "With the word a vicious report shook the 
 deck, and the gun muzzle vanished in a cloud 
 of smoke. Eager hands opened the breech, 
 others inserted another cartridge, there was a 
 shifting of the training lever, a turn of the ele 
 vating wheel, then " Hay " stood back once 
 more, and coolly made the electrical connection. 
 
 Following the second report came a dull, 
 booming sound, apparently from a distance. We 
 eyed one another significantly. 
 
 " It s a fort," quoth " Dye." " We ve got to 
 tackle both sea and land forces." 
 
 Presently, while we were hard at work send 
 ing shots at the Spanish gunboat, which was in 
 lively action a short distance away, we became 
 aware of a peculiar whirring noise a sound like 
 201
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 the angry humming of a swarm of hornets. It 
 would rise and fall in volume, then break off 
 short with a sharp crash. Suddenly, while 
 glancing through the port, I saw something 
 strike the surface, sending up a great spurt of 
 water. It was followed by a dull, muffled re 
 port which seemed to shake the ship. 
 
 It was a shell! 
 
 "Whiz! they are coming pretty fast," re 
 marked Flagg. " That last one didn t miss us 
 by a dozen yards." 
 
 " This isn t Santiago shooting," put in Tom 
 my. " These beggars know how to aim." 
 
 During the next ten minutes the fighting was 
 fast and furious. It was load and fire and load 
 again without cessation. There was the old 
 trouble in regard to the smoke, and half the 
 time we had to aim blindly. Notwithstanding 
 that fact, " Hay " did so well that word came 
 from Captain Brownson complimenting him 
 warmly. 
 
 The " Yankee " seemed to be the centre of a 
 series of eruptions. The Spanish shells kept the 
 water continually boiling, and with the splash 
 ing of each projectile there would arise a geyser- 
 like fountain accompanied by a muffled explo 
 sion which could be plainly felt on board the 
 ship. 
 
 202
 
 TIIEHE WAS TEMrouAHY CONFUSION " (page 203).
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 It was the first real naval battle experienced 
 by us the bombardment of Santiago being of 
 an entirely different calibre and it needed only 
 the grewsome setting of surgeons and wounded 
 and blood to make it complete. That soon came. 
 
 We of Number Eight gun were working at 
 our stations, so intent on our duties that the 
 uproar of shot and shell outside claimed little 
 attention, when suddenly there came a louder 
 explosion than usual directly in front of the 
 open port. 
 
 There was a blinding flash, a puff of stifling 
 smoke, and then Kennedy, who was just ap 
 proaching the gun with a shell, staggered back, 
 and almost fell to the deck. Tommy, the first 
 captain, made a gesture as if brushing something 
 from his breast, and then leaped to the injured 
 man s assistance. 
 
 " It was a piece of shell," cried " Stump." 
 " It came through the port." 
 
 There was temporary confusion. The sur 
 geon and his assistants came on a run, but be 
 fore they could reach the spot, Kennedy recov 
 ered and advanced to meet them. He presented 
 a horrible spectacle, with his face and neck and 
 body spattered with blood, and ~we who were 
 nearest saw that he had been frightfully 
 wounded in the left shoulder. 
 203
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Notwithstanding that fact, he remained cool 
 and steady, and never made the slightest indica 
 tion that he was suffering. "When he finally 
 disappeared down the berth-deck ladder we ex 
 changed glances of surprise and sympathy. 
 
 " That isn t Kennedy," murmured " Stump," 
 softly. 
 
 " We didn t know him after all," said " Hay." 
 " Poor devil! I hope he isn t badly injured." 
 
 " He has been in the hardest kind of luck 
 since we left New York," spoke up Tommy. 
 " Seasick half the time, always in trouble, and 
 bucking against homesickness and everything 
 else. And now he has to be wounded. It s a 
 shame." 
 
 Our thoughts were with our comrade as we 
 served the gun, and when word came a few mo 
 ments later that he was doing fairly well, we 
 could hardly repress a cheer. 
 
 There was little time, however, for displaying 
 emotion. We were right in the thick of the 
 fight, and the " Yankee s " battery was being 
 worked to the limit. It seemed as if the air 
 fairly reeled with the noise and clamor of com 
 bat. Shells buzzed and shrieked about us, and 
 smoke gathered in thick, stifling clouds all about 
 the ship. 
 
 While we were laboring, stripped to the waist, 
 204
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 and trying our utmost to disable or sink the 
 Spanish gunboat, an incident was occurring on 
 deck which seemed more fitted for the pages of 
 a novel than those of a story of facts. 
 
 It was a display of daredevil courage seldom 
 equalled in warfare. 
 
 The lad whom we familiarly termed the 
 " Kid " was the central figure and the hero. 
 The diary of No. 5 of the after port gun, 
 from which this narrative is taken, says of him: 
 " Kid Thompson is the ship s human mascot 
 and all-round favorite with officers and men. 
 His bump of respect is a depression, but his 
 fund of ready wit and his unvarying good 
 nature are irresistible. He is eighteen years of 
 age, and is a i powder monkey on Number Six 
 teen, a six-pounder on the spar deck. This gun 
 and Number Fifteen were the last to obey the 
 order to cease firing during the bombardment of 
 Santiago." 
 
 During the fight with the Spanish gunboat it 
 chanced that the port battery was not engaged 
 for a brief period, so the " Kid," with the rest of 
 Number Sixteen crew, were at rest. To better 
 see the shooting the " Kid " climbed upon the 
 after wheel-house roof. The shells from the 
 gunboat and the forts were dropping all around, 
 fore and aft, port and starboard; they whistled 
 
 205
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 through the rigging, and exploded in every 
 direction, sending their fragments in a veritable 
 hail of metal on all sides. 
 
 The fact that the " Yankee " had so far es 
 caped injury aroused in the " Kid s " breast a 
 feeling of the utmost contempt for the Spanish 
 gunners. Coolly standing upon his feet, he as 
 sumed the pose of a baseball player, and holding 
 a capstan bar in his hands, called out tauntingly : 
 
 " Here, you dagoes, give me a low ball, will 
 you? Put em over the plate! " 
 
 As a shell would fly past with a shriek, he 
 would strike at it, shouting at the same time : 
 
 " Put em over the plate, I say. Do you ex 
 pect me to walk up to the fo c s le to get a rap 
 at em? Hi, there! wake up! " 
 
 Then as a shot fell short, he laughed : " Look 
 at that drop, will you? Do you think I m going 
 to dive for it?" 
 
 A moment later a shell flew past so close that 
 the windage almost staggered him, but the dar 
 ing lad only cried banteringly: "That s more 
 like it. One more a little closer and I ll show 
 you a home run worth seeing." 
 
 And so it went until he was espied from the 
 bridge and peremptorily ordered down. 
 
 In the meantime, while this little episode was 
 in progress, we on the gun deck were laboring 
 206
 
 WE ENGAGE IN A SEA FIGHT. 
 
 without cessation. A dozen shots had been fired 
 from Number Eight alone, when suddenly an 
 other fort secured the range, and began a deadly 
 fusillade. 
 
 The situation was becoming extremely 
 serious! 
 
 207
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 COALING IN THE TKOPIC8. 
 
 The well-directed fire of the forts at the en 
 trance to Cienfuegos was rapidly making the 
 " Yankee s " position untenable, and it soon be 
 came apparent that we would have to give way 
 before overwhelming odds. Fifteen minutes 
 after the battle began between the Spanish gun 
 boat and the " Yankee," the former beat a hasty 
 retreat, steaming back into the harbor. 
 
 It was plainly evident, however, that she had 
 been badly hulled, as she yawed wildly while 
 passing from sight behind the headlands. This 
 of itself was victory enough for the present, and 
 at the end of twenty minutes firing, we with 
 drew out of range. 
 
 Our object in the first place was, as we ascer 
 tained from forward during the day, to intercept 
 a Spanish blockade runner, the " Purissima Con- 
 cepcion " ; so we laid off the harbor and waited 
 for the coming of the ship, which was supposed 
 to have left Jamaica for Cienfuegos. The day 
 308
 
 COALING IN THE TROPICS. 
 
 was spent in cleaning up after our brief but 
 lively battle, and when night came, we were 
 again shipshape. 
 
 Shortly after daybreak the following morn 
 ing, the lookout aloft reported that a steamer, 
 evidently a man-of-war, was emerging from the 
 harbor. The crew were called to " general quar 
 ters " at once, and every preparation made to 
 give the stranger a lively reception. She proved, 
 however, to be the German warship " Geier " 
 bound for Santiago. 
 
 " In time of peace prepare for war " is a good 
 adage, but the reverse is also true. Peaceful 
 pursuits are of a necessity carried out even in 
 the face of the enemy. 
 
 At " evening quarters " new hammocks were 
 doled out, and all hands were instructed to scrub 
 the old ones next morning and turn them in. 
 
 By this time we had become quite expert 
 laundrymen, but we had never tackled a stiff 
 canvas hammock, and the prospect was far from 
 pleasant; the following morning, however, we 
 learned how to perform this final feat of cleans 
 ing; after which we felt qualified to wash any 
 thing from a handkerchief to a circus tent. 
 
 As " Hay " said, " I feel equal to applying for 
 the position of general housework man, if I lose 
 my job. I can sew you ought to see the ele- 
 14 209
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 gant patch I put on the seat of my old blues 
 I can scrub and wash clothes, I can sweep 
 beautifully, I can make a bed with neatness and 
 despatch. And I have been known to get on 
 my knees and scrub the deck." 
 
 " You re not the only one," growled Bill. 
 " Why, even Dirty Greene escapes the afore 
 time customary calling down. 
 
 Greene was a clever fellow, a student at 
 Harvard, the owner of a yacht, and a good sailor, 
 but his college education did not help him to 
 get his clothes clean. That was a study that had 
 been left out of his university curriculum. The 
 consequence was that he, with a good many 
 others, was " called down " at every inspection. 
 
 " Greene is getting it in the neck now," said 
 his friend " Steve " ; " but I think he will get 
 even some day with his cousin, the lieutenant 
 of his division." 
 
 " How s that? " we chorused. 
 
 "Why, you see he owns a schooner yacht. 
 And his cousin, the lieutenant, is very fond of 
 sailing and never fails to accept an invitation 
 to go cruising on her. Some day when the lieu 
 tenant is aboard, Greene will look him over and 
 discover that his shoes are not polished, that his 
 hair has not been combed properly, or his white 
 duck trousers are not immaculate. He will then 
 210
 
 COALING IN THE TROPICS. 
 
 be sent below in disgrace to repair these faults, 
 and our friend Greene will have the merry Ha ! 
 Ha ! on him. He who laughs last, laughs 
 best. " 
 
 We one and all wished we owned yachts and 
 could invite some of the other officers " Cut 
 lets " in particular. 
 
 Blockading duty is monotonous work, though 
 the strain on the lookouts is intense. During the 
 day, a bright lookout must be kept for the light 
 est tinge of smoke on the horizon, and at night 
 for the faintest glimmer of light, or a deeper 
 shadow on the rim of the ocean that would be 
 tray a ship. 
 
 It was Tuesday night, and time hung heavy 
 on our hands. Eight bells had not sounded, and, 
 though hammocks had been given out, neither 
 watch could turn in. It was with particular glee, 
 therefore, that we welcomed the news that 
 " Steve " had composed an up-to-date verse to his 
 " Tommy Atkins " song. After some persua 
 sion for he is a modest chap he consented to 
 sing it for us. 
 
 " The first two verses of this song were writ 
 
 Before we sailed away for Cuba s Isle ; 
 And since that time the Spaniards we have fit, 
 And chased their gunboats many a weary mile. 
 
 211
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 We ve heard the bullets whistling overhead, 
 
 We ve heard the shells fly by and called it sport, 
 
 And down at Cienfuegos 
 
 We proved ourselves courageous 
 By tackling both a gunboat and a fort. 
 
 CHOKUS. 
 
 " Now we d like to run a ferry, 
 
 All along the Jersey shore ; 
 Fighting Spaniards, it is very 
 
 Nice, but we don t want no more. 
 We would give our bottom dollar, 
 
 And of that you need not fear, 
 Just to hear the masthead holler 
 
 Brooklyn navy yard is here." 
 
 " That s very good, Steve, " said Greene, 
 " but I can t quite agree to that line: Fighting 
 Spaniards it is very nice, but we don t want 
 no more. I d like to have a few more raps 
 at em." 
 
 " You are such a bloodthirsty chap," said 
 Flagg, "you slam the charges into your old 
 Number Seven as if you would like to wipe out 
 the whole enemy with one fell swoop." 
 
 "Well," replied Greene, thoughtfully, "a 
 man does get awfully excited when the guns 
 begin to bark." 
 
 And every one of us knew exactly how he 
 felt. 
 
 212
 
 COALING IN THE TROPICS. 
 
 We maintained a close vigil until the six 
 teenth, of June two days later then sailed for 
 Santiago. Shortly after entering port we were 
 informed that the Spanish gunboat with which 
 we had been engaged off Cienfuegos had sunk, 
 sent to the bottom by our fire; a bit of news 
 highly appreciated. 
 
 Our stay in Santiago was short, the " Yan 
 kee " leaving for Guantanamo the next day at 
 eleven o clock. On reaching the latter port we 
 found evidences of a considerable change in the 
 condition of affairs. On our former visit, as the 
 reader will remember, we had engaged in an 
 interesting argument with a gunboat, a block 
 house, and a fort, driving the boat back into the 
 harbor and silencing the fort. The good work 
 done that day had borne fruit. 
 
 On entering the bay we found several of our 
 vessels quietly riding at anchor the " Oregon," 
 " Marblehead," " Dolphin " (of railway-train 
 fame), the ambulance ship " Solace," the " Pan 
 ther," " Suwanee," and three or four colliers and 
 despatch boats. 
 
 But that which attracted our instant atten- 
 ion and brought an involuntary cheer from us, 
 was the sight of Old Glory, flaunting proudly 
 from a tall flagstaff erected on the site of the 
 former Spanish blockhouse. 
 213
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 " Hurray! " shouted " Stump," " it s the first 
 American flag to fly over Cuba. And we dug 
 the hole to plant it." 
 
 " That s right," assented " Dye." " We are 
 the people." 
 
 "What s that camp on top of the hill?" 
 queried Flagg, indicating a number of tents 
 gleaming in dots of white against the back 
 ground of green foliage. 
 
 " It is the marine camp," explained " Hay." 
 " Didn t you hear about it in Santiago? Why, 
 man, it s the talk of the fleet. The marine corps 
 has been adding to its laurels again. The other 
 day eight hundred of them landed from the 
 " Panther " and fairly swept the place of Span 
 iards, fighting against three times their number. 
 It was great." 
 
 " The marines have a fine record," put in 
 Tommy. " I ve been shipmates with them for 
 years, and I am free to confess that they always 
 do their duty." 
 
 " And are always faithful," remarked " Dye." 
 
 " That s their motto, Semper fidelis. They 
 have lived up to it in every war. They antedate 
 the navy, you know." 
 
 "How s that?" asked the "Kid," who was 
 willing to absorb knowledge at times. 
 
 Tommy produced an ancient book from his 
 214
 
 COALING IN THE TROPICS. 
 
 ditty box, and proceeded to read an extract in a 
 loud, sonorous voice. It was as follows : 
 
 " Resolved, That two battalions of marines be 
 raised, consisting of one colonel, two lieutenant- 
 colonels, two majors, and other officers, as usual 
 in other regiments; that they consist of an equal 
 number of privates with other battalions; that 
 particular care be taken that no persons be ap 
 pointed to offices or enlisted into said battalions 
 but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted 
 with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to 
 advantage on sea when required, that they be 
 enlisted and commissioned to serve for and dur 
 ing the present war with Great Britain and the 
 colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress, 
 that they be distinguished by the names of the 
 First and Second Battalions of Marines." 
 
 " The date of that resolution," added Tommy, 
 with the air of a schoolmaster impressing a par 
 ticular point, " is November 10, 1775, which was 
 before any naval vessel had been sent to sea 
 by the Continental Congress. So you see the 
 marines can claim priority in point of service." 
 
 " And priority in point of landing in Cuba," 
 added " Hod." " Here s to them." 
 
 Our discussion on the subject of marines was 
 cut short by a summons to coal ship, a task which 
 had come to form the greatest thorn in the flesh 
 215
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 of all on board the " Yankee." The ship was 
 run alongside the collier " Sterling," and the 
 port watch was set to work at once. 
 
 From four to six and from eight to twelve 
 p.m., and from four to eight the next morning 
 the port watch shovelled, hoisted, and carried 
 coal. 
 
 Coaling in the tropics is a very different thing 
 from similar work in northern latitudes. The 
 exertion of shovelling, or lifting the heavy bas 
 kets, added to the intense heat of the weather, 
 makes of it a task extremely trying even to those 
 of the strongest physique. During the time thus 
 spent in Guantanamo two of the " Yankee s " 
 crew were overcome by heat and exhaustion, 
 and compelled to ask for medical attendance. 
 
 Our appearance beggared description. The 
 exertion brought out a profuse perspiration on 
 our half-naked bodies, to which the coal-dust 
 stuck, thick and black. The black rubbed off 
 in spots, showing the white skin beneath, the re 
 sult being a most ludicrous mottled effect. A 
 dime museum manager would make a fortune if 
 he could have exhibited some of us as the piebald 
 wild men from Guantanamo. It was not till 
 afterward, however, that we could appreciate 
 the humor of our looks. During the thick of 
 the work we were too busy to note the funny 
 216
 
 OUR APPEARANCE BEGGARED DESCRIPTION " (page 216). 
 
 TOOK ADVANTAGE OP THE TIME TO CAULK OFF " 
 
 (page 220).
 
 COALING IN THE TROPICS. 
 
 side of things; in fact, we felt quite sure that 
 there was nothing funny about it. It is impos 
 sible to awaken the sense of humor in a man 
 who is plying a heavy shovel in the hold of a 
 collier, or lugging a weighty basket, while the 
 temperature is soaring to unknown altitudes. 
 
 The ship had to be supplied with fuel, how 
 ever, and as the crew had neglected to ingratiate 
 themselves with a good-natured fairy to wish it 
 aboard for them, they had to do the work with 
 the best grace possible. 
 
 During a " spell " of resting, " Hay," who was 
 a bit of a philosopher in his way, glanced about 
 decks at the groups of panting, perspiring men, 
 and remarked: 
 
 " It would be an object lesson to some of our 
 friends in New York if they were to see us now. 
 Just look at those fellows. Not one had ever 
 before been compelled by ill-fortune to soil his 
 hands with toil, yet when war threatened, and it 
 was necessary to man ships in their country s 
 service, they cheerfully took upon themselves 
 the labors of a common sailor, and not only 
 fought for the flag, but worked hard for it in 
 menial tasks." 
 
 " Menial tasks is good," said " Dye," ruefully 
 eyeing the baskets piled high with coal. 
 
 " Self-laudation is bad form," spoke up Flagg, 
 217
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 " but I think the Naval Reserves who are man 
 ning the different auxiliary cruisers the " Yo- 
 semite," " Prairie," " Dixie," " Badger," " Yan 
 kee," and the monitors as well as those serving 
 on board the regular ships, should be given 
 credit for their patriotism." 
 
 " The boys will get it when the time comes," 
 remarked " Stump," confidently. " And while 
 we are waiting we ll just carry a little more coal. 
 Get in line there." 
 
 Kennedy, all this time, was bearing up under 
 his trouble splendidly, and when the launch of 
 the hospital ship " Solace " came alongside to 
 take him away, we could hardly repress a cheer. 
 He was lowered over the side in a chair. As 
 the launch steamed away, carrying Kennedy 
 and two other shipmates who had been over 
 come by heat, there was a lump in many a 
 throat. 
 
 It was not until almost dark the next day 
 that the bunkers were filled. At three bells 
 (half-past five o clock) we dropped the collier 
 and steamed to sea en route down the coast. 
 Shortly after ten the " Yankee " passed the fleet 
 off Santiago. The electric searchlights in use 
 on the ships nearer shore made a particularly 
 brilliant display. The rays were turned directly 
 upon the entrance to the harbor, and it was 
 218
 
 COALING IN THE TROPICS. 
 
 plainly evident that not even a small boat could 
 emerge without being discovered. 
 
 All day Sunday we steamed out of sight of 
 land, our course being to the westward and our 
 speed a good fourteen knots. 
 
 For four hours in the morning we scrubbed 
 the gun deck, washed the white paint work 
 with fresh water and soap, scrubbed the deck 
 with stiff " kiyi " brushes, and polished off the 
 bright work. By noon the deck had its pris 
 tine immaculate look. We were in the midst of 
 the sloppy job when " forecastle Murray " (one 
 of the Murray twins they looked so much alike 
 that the invariable greeting in the morning was 
 " How are you, Murray or are you your 
 brother?") came aft for a bucket of fresh water. 
 
 "What do you think of this?" he inquired 
 pugnaciously. " Here we are scrubbing this 
 blooming gun deck to beat the band, cleaning up 
 the dirt of a two day s coaling, and now, for 
 sooth, we are ploughing through the water at a 
 fourteen or fifteen knot gait and burning up that 
 coal almost as fast as we put it in." 
 
 He disappeared up the galley ladder, grum 
 bling as he went. 
 
 " Another county heard from," said "Stump." 
 " It does seem rather tough, but here goes " he 
 gave a vicious jerk to the hose he was handling 
 219
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 and the stream caught " Hay " full in the neck, 
 whereupon " Hay " saw to it that " Stump " had 
 a salt-water bath. 
 
 By the time " mess gear " was piped, the ship 
 was very clean, so during the afternoon we were 
 left largely to our own devices. Some wrote 
 letters, though the possibility of sending them or 
 of receiving answers was very remote. Others 
 gathered in little knots and read or sewed, and 
 still others took advantage of the time to " caulk 
 off " and make up some lost sleep. 
 
 And so passed another Sunday. Though we 
 might not have a religious service we were cer 
 tainly cleanly, and, therefore, at the worst, not 
 far from godly. 
 
 Nothing of interest occurred until early Mon 
 day morning. Several minutes before " mess 
 gear " Was due, a lookout at the masthead re 
 ported smoke in sight off the starboard bow. 
 The engine room was signalled for full steam, 
 and the " Yankee " sped away in chase. 
 
 " It s our day for scrapping," said " Stump." 
 "We ve had more fighting on Monday than on 
 any other day of the week. I wonder if it s a 
 Spanish cruiser? " 
 
 " It is heading for Trinidad, whatever it is," 
 remarked " Hay." " Do you see that sloping 
 hill just ahead? It marks the entrance to the 
 220
 
 THE FUSILLADE WAS LIVELY" (page 221).
 
 COALING IN TEE TROPICS. 
 
 little port of Trinidad. If I am not mistaken 
 we ll find a gunboat or two in the harbor." 
 
 " Hay " proved to be a prophet. 
 
 An hour later, on rounding a point of land, 
 we came upon a small, armed launch steam 
 ing about near an old-time roofed-in gunboat 
 which was riding at anchor in the harbor. As 
 soon as we hove in sight the gunboat and launch 
 opened fire. It was at long range, however, and 
 the projectiles merely stirred up the water a mile 
 away. 
 
 As the "Yankee s" guns replied, a two-masted 
 steamer made her appearance from within the 
 harbor and vanished behind the keys. The 
 fusillade was lively, we firing fully one hundred 
 rounds, but there was little damage done. After 
 a time, the launch retreated, and we went out 
 side for the night. 
 
 " It s the last of that scrap," remarked Tom 
 my, the boatswain s mate, as he piped down. 
 " We haven t any time to devote to such small 
 
 fry." 
 
 321
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 The following morning, after " all hands," the 
 " Yankee " started westward along the coast. 
 Cienfuegos was passed, and presently the cruiser 
 was taken nearer shore. The lookouts were told 
 to keep watch for horsemen riding near the 
 beach. This order aroused our nagging interest, 
 and the majority of men on board maintained a 
 careful scrutiny of the white strip of land just 
 beyond the breakers. 
 
 It was not until noon, however, that our 
 search was rewarded. It was just after passing 
 a deep inlet that one of the lookouts espied a 
 group of men gathered near the water s edge. 
 There seemed to be a number of them, and not 
 far away could be seen a blue and white flag 
 flying from a small staff. 
 
 The engines were stopped, and a boat officered 
 by Lieutenant Duncan, and carrying " Hay " as 
 interpreter, went ashore. " Hay " had spent 
 several years in the West Indies and was thor-
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 oughly familiar with the Spanish language. As 
 he was unique in that respect on board the ship, 
 he often did duty as interpreter. 
 
 The boat landed in a little cove. After par 
 leying for a while, one of the landing party was 
 seen to wigwag. A few moments later the boat 
 returned, bringing three Cubans, one of whom 
 was the Cuban governor of Matanzas. The 
 others were a captain and commander respec 
 tively. " Hay " was immediately surrounded 
 and asked to describe what he saw ashore. 
 
 " I have had the honor of photographing a 
 detachment of the Cuban Army of Liberation," 
 he replied, quizzically. " To tell the truth, it 
 looked like a part of Coxey s army. There were 
 about thirty of them, and the clothing of the 
 whole outfit wouldn t supply a New England 
 farmer with a season s scarecrow. They carried 
 guns of all descriptions, some of them with the 
 barrels sawed off short like cavalry carbines; and 
 not one of the men looked as if he knew the 
 meaning of a square meal." 
 
 " Like Washington s army at Valley Forge, 
 eh? " observed Le Valley, joining the group. 
 
 " Yes, and they are fighting for their liberty, 
 too." 
 
 " How did they like being photographed? " 
 asked Tommy. 
 
 223
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 " Tickled to death. When I asked them to 
 line up they almost fell over each other. Next 
 to eating, I think the poor devils love to have 
 their pictures taken. They were just like chil 
 dren, and when I pressed the button they stood 
 round waiting for the photograph to drop from 
 the kodak." 
 
 " Reminds me of the Cubans of Puerto Prin 
 cipe when the railway was built to that place," 
 put in " Zere," the chief quartermaster. " A 
 temporary roundhouse had been constructed, and 
 when the first locomotive reached the city and 
 was placed in it to be cleaned, all the natives 
 from miles around gathered there. They 
 crowded the windows and doors and were evi 
 dently waiting for something. Finally the en 
 gineer asked one of them what he wanted to see. 
 We watch for mule to come out, was the 
 startling reply." 
 
 "Mule?" echoed Flagg. 
 
 " Yes, that was the only motive power known 
 to them," grinned " Zere." " They thought 
 even a Yankee engine must have a mule some 
 where inside." 
 
 " That s like the natives of Guatemala," spoke 
 
 up " Hop," the messenger. " When the street 
 
 cars were introduced it was the usual thing for 
 
 a native wishing to ride, to mount the platform 
 
 224
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 and knock politely on the door. Some one in 
 side would rise and open it, and then the native 
 would enter and shake hands all round." 
 
 " Fancy doing that on a Broadway cable car," 
 laughed " Stump." 
 
 Our imagination was not strong enough for 
 that. 
 
 The Cuban guests remained with us for sev 
 eral hours, then went ashore, together with a 
 boat-load of provisions contributed by the ship. 
 
 The whaleboat returned to the ship when 
 the watch on deck had just been piped to supper. 
 The other watch, therefore, had the job of 
 pulling her up. The steady tramp, tramp, be 
 gan and the boat slowly rose up foot by foot, till 
 it was level with the rail, then there was a sud 
 den jar and a crash. In an instant six men of 
 the crew were in the water, while the boat 
 floated away by itself. 
 
 There was a rush of feet on deck, loud shouts 
 and cries of " Throw them a rope," " Set adrift 
 the life buoy," " Where s that life belt? " and 
 the like. 
 
 The men at mess jumped up, overturning 
 cups and plates and dishes of food. One fore 
 castle man pulled off his jumper and dove in to 
 help. 
 
 The sea ladder was put over the side and 
 15 225
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 " Long Tommy " went down it, taking with him 
 a piece of line; this he slipped under the arms of 
 Rowland, the forecastle man, who had struck 
 an oar on the way down, and was hurt. The 
 man was soon hauled up on deck. The other 
 four were also rescued. One went floating 
 calmly off on the life buoy and was picked up 
 by the gig, and the rest caught rope-ends and 
 were safely hauled aboard, none the worse for 
 their involuntary bath. 
 
 Lines were coiled down again, the sea ladder 
 unshipped and put in its place, and soon all was 
 quiet and shipshape again but we discovered 
 that two spit kits and a monkey-wrench had 
 been thrown overboard to aid the sinking 
 sailors. 
 
 " It s an ill wind that blows nobody good," 
 quoted the " Kid," who happened to be sweeper 
 that week. " I won t have to polish the brass 
 on those kits again." 
 
 Shortly after the return of the last boat, 
 smoke was sighted to seaward. The crew was 
 called to general quarters without delay, and 
 our ship steamed out to investigate. After a 
 brief but exciting chase, we discovered that the 
 supposed enemy was the auxiliary cruiser 
 " Dixie," a sister ship of the " Yankee." She 
 was manned by the Maryland Naval Reserves,
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 and her armament was composed of six-inch 
 breechloading rifles, not of the rapid-fire class. 
 
 It soon became evident that her commanding 
 officer, Commander Davis, was superior in rank 
 to Commander Brownson, and he took charge 
 of affairs at once. Captain Brownson was rowed 
 over to the " Dixie " to pay his respects, and on 
 his return a rumor that we were to be relieved 
 of coast patrol duty by the " Dixie " and to pro 
 ceed to Key West, went through the ship like 
 wildfire. 
 
 Tom Le Valley brought the news to a group 
 of us gathered on the after gun deck. We were 
 just discussing the peculiar, and apparently 
 ridiculous, degrees of etiquette found among 
 naval officers in general, as exemplified by the 
 ranking of Commander Davis over Commander 
 Brownson. 
 
 " They are both commanders," Tommy was 
 explaining, " but Commander Davis happens to 
 rank Commander Brownson by sixteen numbers 
 in the official list. Both entered the service 
 November 29, 1861, and " 
 
 "Whoop!" 
 
 Down the ladder charged Le Valley, wildly 
 flourishing his cap. He stopped in front of us 
 and gasped: "Hurrah! we re going going to 
 the United States, fellows." 
 227
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 " What s up? " demanded " Stump." 
 
 " The Dixie " 
 
 "Yes?" 
 
 " She s to relieve us, and we are ordered to 
 Key West and then to New York. We re 
 going " 
 
 " Ratsl " broke in " Hay," in disgust. " You 
 can t give us any game like that. It s a rumor, 
 my boy. We re never going home. The 
 Yankee is the modern Flying Dutchman/ 
 and " 
 
 At that moment the " Kid " appeared in 
 sight, and his beaming face convinced us. It 
 was glorious news, but not one of us felt like 
 cheering. Our emotions were too deep for that. 
 The mere prospect of seeing home again was 
 enough pleasure for the moment, and we were 
 content to talk quietly over the welcome possi 
 bility of soon meeting relatives and friends. 
 
 The " Yankee " was destined, however, to ex 
 perience a little more service before dropping 
 anchor in home waters. 
 
 For several days we cruised along the coast 
 between Casilda and Cienfuegos. We came to 
 know it very well; every ravine in the moun 
 tains was familiar, every inlet in the coral- 
 bound shore known to us. It began to grow 
 monotonous.
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 Time lay rather heavy on our hands, but not 
 too heavy, for we were put to work, two guns 
 crews at a time, coaling in a new and torrid 
 fashion: the coal in the after hold had not all 
 been taken out during the northern cruise, so it 
 was decided to pack it in bags, two hundred 
 pounds to a bag, carry it forward and stack it 
 in an unused ballast tank. 
 
 Number Six and Number Eight guns crews 
 were among the first to engage in this pleasant 
 occupation. 
 
 We found heat enough below to supply a 
 good-sized house all winter, so clothing seemed 
 unnecessary. We stripped to the waist, " Gum 
 ming," a member of Number Six gun s crew, 
 remarking that he thought a cool glance and a 
 frozen smile would be sufficient in such a warm 
 climate. 
 
 The work was hard and dirty and the heat 
 terrific. We saw no necessity for the transfer. 
 Jack never can see the need of work unless it 
 happens that some other crew is doing it. 
 
 We cheered ourselves, however, by singing 
 " There s a hot time in the old ship to-day." 
 
 While we lay close inshore, the " Dixie " 
 
 cruised outside, and toward evening the two 
 
 vessels met, and together we went to Casilda, a 
 
 port near Trinidad. We stood by while the 
 
 229
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "JANKEE." 
 
 " Dixie " threw a few shells into the fort. Two 
 days later the " Yankee " parted from her con 
 sort and proceeded to the Isle of Pines. 
 
 It was here one of the most laughable inci 
 dents of the cruise occurred. While steaming 
 past one of the outlying islands, a small fleet 
 of fishing sloops was discovered at anchor in 
 shore. Under ordinary circumstances such un 
 important craft would not have been molested, 
 but in the present case it was suspected that they 
 formed part of the fleet supplying fish to the 
 Havana market. To destroy them was our 
 bounden duty. 
 
 "Man the starboard fo c sle six-pounder and 
 fire a shell in their direction," ordered the cap 
 tain from the bridge. 
 
 The gun was loaded in short order, and pres 
 ently a projectile went screeching across the 
 water, dropping with a splash near the largest 
 sloop. Several small rowboats were seen to pull 
 away from the smacks, and it was evident the 
 crews had fled in terror. Directly after dinner, 
 the " Yankee s " first cutter and the second 
 whaleboat were ordered away, manned and 
 armed. A Colt machine gun was placed in the 
 bow of the former, and each carried an extra 
 squad of armed marines. 
 
 When the expedition returned it had in tow 
 230
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 five decked sloops, one of which contained a 
 quantity of fresh fish. Orders were given to 
 attach the latter to our stern, and to fire the 
 others and set them adrift. Before this was 
 done, however, enough fish to supply the ward 
 room and cabin messes were taken out. 
 
 " The crew can have its share to-morrow," 
 quoth the captain. 
 
 The " crew " waited impatiently, but when 
 the morrow came it was found that, through 
 some one s blunder, the sloop containing the fish 
 had been burned, and an empty one towed to 
 sea with us. The joke, if it might be so termed, 
 was on the crew. 
 
 The watchword heretofore on the " Yankee," 
 as on every one of Uncle Sam s ships, had been 
 " Remember the Maine." Hereafter it was 
 " Remember the fish." This was done so per 
 sistently that the officer who was responsible for 
 the blunder was dubbed " Fish," and whenever 
 he went near any member of the crew he was 
 likely to hear, in a low tone, " Remember the 
 fish." 
 
 After leaving the Isle of Pines the eastern 
 shore of Cuba was rounded and a straight run 
 made for Key West. At noon on the 27th of 
 June, just twenty-nine days after the " Yankee " 
 sailed from New York, we again entered a home 
 231
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 port. The time was brief as time goes, but our 
 varied experiences in foreign waters made the 
 sight of the stars and stripes flaunting over 
 American soil particularly pleasing. 
 
 As we neared our anchorage the most entranc 
 ing rumors were rife. We were to get shore 
 liberty without doubt, and the ship was to be 
 coaled by outside labor. We took no stock in 
 the latter rumor till an officer voiced it then we 
 believed. Our clean blues were furbished up, 
 lanyards scrubbed, and money counted. We 
 understood that there was little to see at Key 
 West; that it was a dull and uninteresting place. 
 Still it was land, and we had not set foot ashore 
 for almost three months. 
 
 If we had not been so anxious to get ashore 
 we might have been able to appreciate the 
 marine picture. 
 
 The harbor, if it could be called a harbor, 
 was full of war vessels, prizes, and colliers. 
 Three grim monitors tugged at their anchor 
 chains, apparently impatient at the restraint, 
 while a few graceful, clean-cut, converted yachts 
 swung with the tide. 
 
 The gunboat " Wilmington," and the cruisers 
 
 " Newark " and " Montgomery," floated with a 
 
 bored air. In ship s language they said, Why 
 
 are we loafing here? Why not be up and doing? 
 
 232
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 The " Lancaster," a fine old frigate, the flag 
 ship of the commodore, had a fatherly air and 
 seemed to say: " Be good and you will all have 
 a chance." 
 
 Once more we got our shore-going clothes 
 ready, only to be disappointed, and again the 
 promises made to us proved elusive. The day 
 following our arrival, we were told that no shore 
 liberty would be given at Key West, and while 
 the reasons were all sufficient, a man who has 
 set his mind on an outing ashore after a hundred 
 days at sea, finds it somewhat hard to reconcile 
 himself to the inevitable. 
 
 One of the hardest, if not the hardest, thing 
 we had to bear was the lack of letters and news 
 from home. "When one has been deprived of 
 all tidings from his own people for so long the 
 longing for word of them becomes almost un 
 bearable. 
 
 In the midst of our toughest work we felt 
 that a letter from home would act like a strong 
 tonic and brace us for the effort, and it would 
 have done so. But no such balm came, though 
 we eagerly scanned every incoming vessel for 
 the signal " We have mail for you." Now at 
 last, though there might be tons on tons of coal 
 to be put in at Key West, though the ship might 
 have to be scrubbed and painted from truck to 
 233
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 water line, we felt certain we would get letters 
 from home. Letters that we ached for. And 
 so when we sighted the fleet and old fort, and 
 realized that we had reached Key West and 
 mail at last, our joy was too great for utterance. 
 
 The whaleboat went ashore and brought back 
 two bags of precious missives, with the sad news 
 that eight bags had been sent on a despatch 
 boat to the " Yankee " at Santiago. 
 
 We were glad enough to get two bags, yet we 
 almost gnashed our teeth when we thought of 
 the eight fat pouches that were chasing us 
 around the island of Cuba. 
 
 The mail was brought to the wardroom and 
 dumped out on the table for the commissioned 
 officers to sort and pick out their own letters. 
 A news-hungry group stood the while at the 
 doors, watching and mentally grumbling that 
 such an awfully long time was being taken to 
 accomplish so simple a thing. 
 
 Finally the master-at-arms was sent for and 
 the worth-its-weight-in-gold mail turned over to 
 him to distribute. To the gun deck poured the 
 eager throng. The master-at-arms backed up 
 against the scuttle-butt for protection, then 
 shouted out: " Let one man from each mess get 
 the mail; the rest of you stand off, or you won t 
 get any till to-morrow." The rest of us stood 
 234
 
 "REMEMBER THE FISH." 
 
 to one side then, realizing that time would be 
 thus saved. 
 
 " Jimmy Legs " called out the names, and the 
 representatives of the different messes took 
 them. We heard Kennedy s name called, and 
 a murmur of sympathy spread around. " Poor 
 chap," said one, " he would give the use of his 
 wounded arm for that letter." 
 
 " Yes," said another; " he has to suffer home 
 sickness as well as pain, and a letter from home 
 would brace him up as nothing else could." 
 
 Every man took his treasures to a quiet place, 
 a place apart, if such could be found, to enjoy 
 them alone. The few who got none well ! may 
 I never see such disappointed, sorrowful faces 
 again. 
 
 The letters read and pondered over awhile, 
 tongues began to be loosened, and soon all over 
 the ship was heard the buzz of conversation. 
 Chums told each other the little items of news 
 that to them seemed the most important things 
 in the world. And after all had been told and 
 retold, the men gathered in groups and discussed 
 their past months experiences. 
 
 " Do you know," said Craven (a descendant 
 
 of that famous line of naval heroes, a seaman 
 
 and member of Number Thirteen six-pounder 
 
 gun s crew), " I think we are wonderfully for- 
 
 235
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 tunate to come through this experience as well 
 as we have. Just think! We have been under 
 fire five times, and only one man has been in 
 jured. "Why," he continued, and his hearers 
 nodded assent, " I used to have the most awful 
 visions thought I saw the men lying round our 
 gun in heaps, while fresh ones jumped to take 
 the places of the fallen." 
 
 " And they would," said messenger " Hop," 
 who happened to be passing on his way aft to 
 deliver an order. 
 
 The " Yankee " had seen some spirited fight 
 ing, though most of her crew had anticipated 
 nothing more exciting than patrol duty. 
 
 Moreover, it was almost certain that we had 
 not seen the end of active service. At present, 
 however, the crew settled down once more to the 
 monotony of ship life in port which is about 
 equivalent to garrison duty for a soldier. 
 
 236
 
 SAW THE MEN LYING HOUND THE GUN IN HEAPS 
 
 (page 286). 
 
 THE DECKS WERE SWABBED THOROUGHLY" (page 240)-
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 IN GOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 The "Yankee s" stay in Key West was 
 marked by one of the most melancholy incidents 
 of the cruise. Thomas Clinton Le Valley, one 
 of the first of the New York Naval Reserves to 
 respond to the call for volunteers, died from 
 appendicitis in the hospital ashore, to which he 
 had been removed for treatment. " Tom," as 
 he was familiarly called by his shipmates, was on 
 board the " Yankee " during the five engage 
 ments of that vessel, and proved himself loyal 
 and steadfast on every occasion. He was well 
 liked by the officers and men of the crew, and 
 his death was deeply regretted by all. It was 
 his fate to be the one member of the New York 
 Naval Reserves to lose his life in the service of 
 his country. 
 
 When a big barge heaped high with coal 
 came alongside and was made fast, we began to 
 doubt the assurances given us, that the coal 
 would be put in by outside labor. A tug hove
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 in sight shortly afterward that caused our 
 gloomy faces to light up with gladness, for it 
 carried a gang of negroes. The tug made fast 
 to the barge, and its living cargo was soon hard 
 at work filling the ship s bunkers. 
 
 All that afternoon we " lingered in the lap of 
 luxury," as " Bill " put it. At six o clock our 
 dusky (doubly dusky) coal heavers went ashore, 
 their labor over for the day. Though the work 
 men had left, the work was still to continue. 
 The crew coaled till twelve o clock, working in 
 quarter watches. The following day another 
 barge came alongside and part of the crew had 
 to turn to and help the hired shovellers. 
 
 " So much," said " Stump," snapping his 
 fingers, " for the officers assurances." 
 
 Up to this time we did not know where we 
 were going. Of course the " Rumor Commit 
 tee " were ready with news of destinations 
 galore. We were to return to our patrol duty, 
 to join the Flying Squadron and threaten the 
 coast towns of Spain, to join the blockading 
 squadron off Havana. We were to do a dozen 
 or more things just as probable or just as im 
 probable. 
 
 A coal barge still lay alongside the star 
 board side of the ship, when a lighter appeared 
 and made fast to the port side, loaded with
 
 IN GOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 express packages, parts of machinery, pipes, 
 and bags of mail for every ship on the Santiago 
 blockade. 
 
 " Now we will get those eight bags of mail," 
 said a forecastle man, exultantly. And from 
 that moment we knew we were going back to 
 Cuba. 
 
 But like a good many people who think they 
 know it all we didn t. 
 
 Bunkers, holds almost every available space, 
 in fact, was filled with coal. 
 
 Then began the much dreaded job of paint 
 ing. Stages were hung over the side, each 
 manned by two men, and with much reluctance 
 we began to daub the old " Yankee " with gray 
 paint. 
 
 The men were unaccustomed to such work, 
 though some could handle the brushes sold in 
 " artist s materials " shops well enough, and 
 they spattered gray paint all over themselves. 
 It was thought easier to wash skins than 
 jumpers, so many were decorated in wonderful 
 fashion. 
 
 " You would make a professor of tattooing 
 wild with envy," said Greene to " Steve," as the 
 latter appeared over the rail. 
 
 " Well, I don t know," retorted " Steve," " I 
 am thinking of reporting you for misappro- 
 239
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 priating government property. You ve got 
 more paint on yourself than you put on the 
 ship." 
 
 After a day and a half of dreary work we had 
 the satisfaction of seeing the vessel s sides one 
 uniform color from stem to stern. It was a 
 big job for such a short time and our arms ached 
 at the very thought of it. 
 
 The sides painted, our attention was given to 
 the decks. They were swabbed thoroughly, first 
 with a damp swab, and after they were entirely 
 dry the spar deck was covered with red shellac, 
 this being applied with a wide varnish brush. 
 The gun deck was then taken in hand and 
 treated in the same way. 
 
 By Saturday night the ship was as fine as 
 a " brand new jumping-jack before the baby 
 sucked the paint off." 
 
 Some of the men still suffered from black-and- 
 blue spots, which, however, a little turpentine 
 liniment would have banished. 
 
 Rumors were rife that we would be bound for 
 New York shortly, but few believed them; the 
 circulators themselves certainly did not, of that 
 we felt sure. 
 
 "The idea! " said "Mourner," who, though 
 ready to swallow most rumoristic pills, could not 
 manage this one. " Go to New York with 
 240
 
 THE SPAR DECK WAS COVERED WITH RED SHELLAC " 
 
 (page 240). 
 
 THE MARINES AIRED THEIR HAMMOCKS OX THE FORK- 
 CASTLE DECK" (page 244).
 
 IN GOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 eighty bags of mail for the Santiago fleet! I 
 can see us doing it." 
 
 " Taps " sounded at nine o clock, and we were 
 glad enough to turn in. 
 
 When all hands were called, I rubbed my eyes 
 in astonishment, for as I glanced out of the 
 deadlight near which my hammock swung, I 
 saw that we were under way and well out to sea. 
 I put on my togs in a hurry, and after lashing 
 and stowing my " dream bag," rushed on deck. 
 
 Yes, sure enough, we were at sea. 
 
 " Stump " came and grabbed me round the 
 waist he could hardly reach higher. " We re 
 bound for New York," said he. " We met the 
 St. Paul going in and the signal boys say we 
 signalled, l We have urgent orders to proceed to 
 New York. What do you think of that? " he 
 added, breathlessly. 
 
 " With eighty bags of mail for the Santiago 
 fleet," said I, thinking of the poor fellows who 
 were longing with all their hearts for those same 
 bags. 
 
 " Regular navy style," added " Stump." 
 
 Though it was hard on our friends off Santi 
 ago we could not be cast down, and the near 
 prospect of liberty of an opportunity to see 
 home and friends, of again setting foot on shore 
 transformed the entire crew. 
 16 241
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Everywhere could be seen smiling faces. 
 Laughter and merry chatter filled the air, and 
 the rollicking songs written by " Steve " and 
 others were more in evidence than ever. The 
 daily routine of work seemed lighter. There 
 was no grumbling, no fault finding; even the 
 interminable task of shifting coal was carried 
 on with actual cheerfulness. Grimy hands and 
 blackened faces and tired bodies were forgotten. 
 
 " There s a mighty good dinner waiting for 
 me in the dear old house," exclaimed " Stump," 
 unctuously. " I can sniff it afar. And say, fel 
 lows, won t we forget for a few hours at least 
 that such things as reveille and scrub and 
 wash clothes and coal humping and salt-horse 
 exist on earth? " 
 
 " Oh, good Mr. Captain, how long will it be 
 before we hear the welcome call, Shift into 
 clean blue, the liberty party ! and find ourselves 
 piling over the side," groaned " Hay." 
 
 " You will be glad enough to come back to 
 your Uncle Samuel," grinned " Steve." " "When 
 your time is up you will be waiting for the 
 boat." 
 
 "No doubt," replied Flagg. "We will be 
 ready to complete our time of service, but there 
 are some, if rumor speaks the truth 
 
 He finished with a significant wink. 
 242
 
 IN GOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 He referred to the many threats of " French 
 leave " made by certain members of the crew 
 threats which did not materialize except in a 
 very few cases. The disgruntled members of 
 the " Yankee s " crew were composed mainly of 
 the " outside " men men not of the Naval Re 
 serves. Among the latter, despite the unaccus 
 tomed hardships to which they were subjected, 
 a firm determination existed to remain until law 
 fully mustered out. 
 
 The trip from Key West to New York was 
 marked by only one important incident the 
 celebration of the Fourth of July. It was unlike 
 that familiar to the majority of the crew. There 
 were no fireworks, no parades, nor bands playing 
 the national anthem. The day opened squally, 
 and sharp gusts of rain swept the decks. The 
 usual routine of work was proceeded with, and 
 it was not until eight bells (noon) that we fully 
 realized the date. At exactly midday a salute 
 of twenty-one guns was fired, and those of 
 us who were super-patriotic, took off our caps 
 in honor of the flag. That ended the cere 
 mony. 
 
 " Never mind," said Tommy, when one of 
 
 the boys bewailed the meagre celebration, 
 
 " never mind, shipmate. There s a good time 
 
 coming when we can whoop er up for Old 
 
 243
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Glory as much as we please. Then we ll make 
 up for to-day. We can t expect to do much 
 under these conditions, you know." 
 
 The day following (a fine, cool, bright one, 
 and how we did appreciate it!) was spent by all 
 hands in getting the ship spick and span for the 
 inspection of visitors, who were sure to be on 
 hand to welcome us. 
 
 The semi-weekly ceremony of airing ham 
 mocks and bedding was indulged in. The bugler 
 blew " hammocks," whereupon all hands lined 
 up to receive them from the stowers. They 
 were then unlashed on the gun deck, and in 
 spected by the officers of the different divisions, 
 who ordered that they should be taken up to the 
 spar deck. The blankets and mattresses were 
 spread wherever sun and breeze could get at 
 them. The rail, as well as the boats, was covered 
 with them. Red blankets flaunted in the breeze 
 from the rigging till we resembled an anarchist 
 emigrant ship. 
 
 The marines aired their hammocks on the 
 forecastle deck in the neighborhood of their 
 guns. 
 
 After an hour or two, the word was passed 
 to "stow hammocks," and soon all was ship 
 shape again. 
 
 This duty was performed once or twice a 
 244
 
 : THE BLANKETS AND MATTRESSES WERE SPREAD FOR 
 
 AIRING" (page 244). 
 
 "UNDER THE HOSE" (page 253).
 
 IN QOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 week, the frequency depending on weather and 
 circumstances. 
 
 Wednesday, July 6th, we passed Sandy Hook 
 and entered New York harbor, just thirty-six 
 days since we left it. 
 
 As we made our way up the channel, a pilot 
 boat hailed us and told us of Sampson and 
 Schley s glorious victory over Cervera. 
 
 Though our joy was great and our enthusiasm 
 intense, we were greatly disappointed that we 
 were not in at the death. We felt sure that if 
 we had been there our skipper would have 
 worked the old craft in near enough to have 
 given us a shot. 
 
 We steamed on up the bay and through the 
 Narrows, the happiest lot of Jackies afloat. The 
 captain of every vessel we met pulled his 
 whistle cord until the steam gave out, and the 
 passengers cheered and waved their handker 
 chiefs, or whatever came handy. 
 
 The health officer passed us in a jiffy, and be 
 fore eight bells struck we were safely at anchor 
 off Tompkinsville. 
 
 It transpired that we had been sent North on 
 account of a yellow fever scare. The health 
 officer proved that the fear was groundless. 
 Again we set to work cleaning, scrubbing, pol 
 ishing, and painting, so by the time our friends 
 245
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 t 
 
 came crowding aboard, the ship was as neat as 
 a new pin. 
 
 The visitors how glad we were to see them! 
 Only one who has looked danger in the face and 
 realized that there might never be a home-com 
 ing in this world, could understand our feelings 
 as our relatives and friends bless them came 
 aboard. 
 
 Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and other 
 fellows sisters crowded up the gangway to greet 
 us. 
 
 And all were welcome. 
 
 The second day after we anchored, the port 
 watch was given shore leave of twenty-four 
 hours. So we donned our clean blues, and for 
 the first time since May 9th, set foot on solid 
 ground. 
 
 As the port watch came over the side the fol 
 lowing day, after its liberty ashore, they were 
 met with the order " Shift into working clothes 
 at once and get those shells below." The red 
 ammunition flag was flying at the foremast head, 
 and all thoughts must be given up of the good 
 times ashore. 
 
 The starboard watch then went on liberty 
 ashore and the port watch tackled the ammuni 
 tion. 
 
 From noon till after ten, we were kept busy 
 246
 
 IN GOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 storing thirteen-inch shells for the biggest guns 
 in the navy. They weigh 1,100 pounds apiece 
 and are dangerous things to handle, not only on 
 account of their weight, but because of the 
 charge of powder each carries. We also loaded 
 eight, six, and five-inch shells into the after hold. 
 "We turned in at eleven o clock, and were roused 
 at 3:30 next morning to begin the same heavy 
 work. When the starboard watch returned the 
 following noon, we were still at it, and they, too, 
 had to pitch in and help as soon as they could 
 get into working clothes. 
 
 Saturday, Sunday, and Monday were spent in 
 the same way stowing food for Uncle Sam s 
 mighty guns. 
 
 The thirteen-inch shells were crated in heavy 
 planks, bound with iron; slings of rope were 
 placed around them and they were lowered 
 slowly into the hold. The eight, six, and five- 
 inch shells had a lashing of tarred rope and a 
 loop by which they might be lifted and handled. 
 
 Charges of smokeless powder for thirteen, 
 eight, and six-inch guns, in copper canisters, 
 were also taken aboard. 
 
 When all was stowed, we carried enough ex 
 plosives to blow the water out of the bay. At 
 half -past two on July 12th, the anchor was 
 raised, the cat falls manned, and we bade New 
 247
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 York good-by once more. A brisk northeast 
 breeze was blowing, kicking up an uncomfort 
 able sea, and when Sandy Hook was passed it 
 became necessary to close all ports and batten 
 down hatches. 
 
 The rolling and pitching of the ship soon 
 began to make things interesting on the gun 
 deck. Immense green seas, shipped at inter 
 vals on the upper deck, sent little streams of 
 water trickling down through openings as yet 
 unprotected. 
 
 At evening quarters it was all we could do 
 to stand upright. A number of men left their 
 stations suddenly without permission, and 
 seemed to take great interest in the sea just 
 over the rail. 
 
 As the sun sank, the wind rose, and with it 
 came rain rain in sheets the " wettest " kind 
 of rain. 
 
 When the port watch was relieved at eight 
 o clock, even the veriest landsman among us 
 could tell that the situation was becoming seri 
 ous. We turned in at once, determining to get 
 all the sleep possible in that pandemonium of 
 sound. 
 
 The value of hammocks in a heavy sea was 
 proved beyond all peradventure, for once we got 
 into them and closed our eyes, we hardly realized 
 248
 
 IN GOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 that the ship was almost on her beam ends much 
 of the time. 
 
 From time to time we were wakened by the 
 crash of a mess chest, as it broke from its lash 
 ings and careened around the deck. The mess 
 pans and pots banged and thumped. At inter 
 vals the lurching of the vessel caused a mess 
 table with the accompanying benches to slide 
 to the deck with a crash. 
 
 At twelve, we of the port watch were wakened 
 from our much-interrupted rest and ordered on 
 deck for muster. 
 
 As we slid from our hammocks we realized 
 for the first time the fury of the storm. It was 
 impossible to stand upright. 
 
 The old hooker rolled so, that it was impossi 
 ble to keep from sliding even when one lay prone 
 on the deck. The men on lookout had all they 
 could do to hang on. One moment the end of 
 the bridge would rise high in air and the next 
 almost bury itself in the seething waters. 
 
 The wind roared, the lightning flashed, and 
 the thunder rolled. 
 
 The dense fog hung like a curtain round the 
 ship, so the whistle was blown incessantly. 
 
 The boatswain s mate ordered me to go for 
 ward and stand an hour s watch on the bridge. 
 I obeyed, creeping on all fours most of the time, 
 249
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 till I reached the opening between the deck 
 houses. I escaped, by a hair s breadth, a sea 
 which came over the side like a solid green 
 wall. 
 
 The man on the port end of the bridge whom 
 1 relieved, shouted in my ear he could not be 
 heard otherwise " You want to get a good hold 
 or you ll be fired overboard in a jiffy." Then 
 he left me. 
 
 It was the kind of a night one felt the need 
 of companionship. I spent a lonely hour on 
 the bridge, eyes and ears strained for signs of 
 other vessels, face and hands stung by the pelt 
 ing rain. Underlying all other thoughts was 
 the consciousness that we carried several hun 
 dred tons of deadly explosive that might shift 
 any moment or be ignited by a spark from a 
 lamp and explode. 
 
 The sandbags stored about the steering gear 
 broke loose and were heaped in picturesque con 
 fusion. The scene aft was indescribable. A 
 quantity of debris of varying nature slid across 
 the smooth surface of the gun deck with a rush 
 at every roll, making navigation a difficult, if 
 not perilous, task. Later, to add to the tumult, 
 one man s hammock was cut down by a falling 
 mess table, but he escaped serious injury. 
 
 It was not until the following morning that 
 250
 
 I ST REPEATER. PREPARATORY 
 
 2ND REPEATER ANSWERING- 
 
 3 RD REPEATER MEAL OR NUMERAL 
 
 K 
 
 CORNET 
 
 AFFIRMATIVE 
 
 7 
 
 GUARD 
 
 QUARANTINE 
 
 TELEGRAPH DANGER OR DESIGNATING 
 
 +* 
 
 DISPATCH OR GEOGRAPHICAL ANNULING 
 
 GENERAL RECALL COMPASS 
 
 NEGATIVE 
 
 10 
 
 INTERROGATIVE. POWDER
 
 IN GOD 8 COUNTRY. 
 
 the seas subsided, but the day proved pleasant, 
 and the mishaps of the preceding afternoon were 
 forgotten in the excitement of reaching Norfolk, 
 which port was reached by the " Yankee " 
 shortly before dark. Later in the evening the 
 ship was taken to the navy yard. 
 
 " Which means that we are going to hustle 
 more ammunition," observed Tommy, as we 
 made fast to a dock. 
 
 " And more stores," added " Dye." 
 
 " And coal," chimed in " Stump," with a 
 grimace. " I am glad of it, too." 
 
 "Glad of it?" echoed "Dye," in surprise. 
 " That s queer." 
 
 " Not at all, dear boy," was the second loader s 
 calm reply. " D ye see, I am in training for 
 the billet of chief deck hand on a tramp canal 
 boat, and this experience is just in my line." 
 
 Four days later the mooring hawsers were cast 
 off and the " Yankee " steamed out between the 
 capes en route to Santiago. From the hour we 
 left Norfolk until the sighting of the Cuban 
 coast, our time was taken up with drills of every 
 description. The following extract from the log 
 for July 18th, will suffice for an example: 
 
 " Cleared ship for action at three bells along 
 with general quarters. General quarters again 
 half an hour after turn to at noon. Fire drill 
 251
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 and abandon ship at three bells in the afternoon. 
 General quarters again at two bells (9 p.m.)." 
 
 Under date of July 19th, one of the crew 
 states in his private diary: " Clear ship for action 
 again. This is a very pretty drill, and is much 
 liked by the boys, as it includes sending all the 
 mess gear and provisions below, where most of 
 them are usually pinched. Clear ship for action 
 always means an exchange of undesirable mess 
 gear, such as broken benches, tables, etc. Gen 
 eral quarters at 1:30; fired two shots at an in 
 visible target with smokeless powder. Great 
 success, this new powder. If we had only been 
 provided with it before, every living Spaniard 
 would have trembled at the word l Yankee ! " 
 
 " What are we doing all this clear ship, gen 
 eral quarters, fire drill, and such business for? " 
 said a forecastle man to Craven, who, besides 
 being on a deck gun, from which all that was 
 occurring on the bridge could be seen, was a 
 messenger. 
 
 " Why, don t you know? " said the latter. 
 " We have a war artist aboard, and all this extra 
 drilling is being done for his special benefit, so 
 he can work it up for his paper, I suppose." 
 
 " Well, if we ever get that artist aboard the 
 old New Hampshire we will teach him a few 
 things, so he can describe them from actual ex- 
 252
 
 IN GOD S COUNTRY. 
 
 perience," said " Hod " the husky. " He ll be 
 able to describe scrub and wash clothes, sweep 
 ing decks, washing dishes, and all the rest, most 
 vividly," he continued, vindictively. " "We ll 
 show him how we get under the hose in the 
 morning. Oh, we ll have a bully time with 
 him, and I ll wager that when we re through 
 the honors of naval battles will seem too trivial 
 for him to draw! " 
 
 253
 
 CHAPTEK 
 
 THE " YANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO. 
 
 On the twenty-first of July the " Yankee " 
 arrived off Santiago. The " Brooklyn " was the 
 only warship on guard, and the absence of that 
 grim line of drab-colored ships changed the 
 whole appearance of the coast. The " Brook 
 lyn " seemed lonely, though she rode the seas 
 proudly. " See," she seemed to say, " I am 
 monarch of all I survey " ; and she looked every 
 inch a queen, as she swayed slowly in the long 
 ground swell, her ensign snapping in the brisk 
 breeze and Admiral Schley s flag standing out 
 like a board. From our proximity to the shore 
 we were enabled to obtain a better view than 
 before. Old Morro Castle, perched above the 
 mouth of the channel, seemed battered and for 
 lorn. The Stars and Stripes floated on high 
 exultingly from the very staff that formerly 
 bore the Spanish colors, and we thrilled when we 
 saw it. The wreck of the " Reina Mercedes " 
 could be plainly made out, and beyond her could 
 
 254
 
 THE " YANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO. 
 
 also be seen the masts and stack of the " Merri- 
 mac " a monument to American heroism. 
 
 With the TJ. S. S. " Yankton " (which had 
 run out of coal) in tow, we proceeded to Guan- 
 tanamo. While entering the bay, the first fleet 
 of transports bearing troops for the invasion of 
 Porto Rico was encountered. Inside the har 
 bor a vast squadron of American ships lay at 
 anchor some forty vessels in all. The spectacle 
 of such a mighty fleet bearing our beloved colors 
 was indeed inspiring. 
 
 We found the "Iowa," "Massachusetts," 
 "Indiana," "Oregon," "Texas," "New York," 
 "Marblehead," "Detroit," "Newark," "Por 
 ter," " Terror," " Gloucester," the repair ship 
 " Vulcan," several despatch boats and colliers 
 in the bay. Two gunboats and several steamers 
 captured at Santiago also bore the American 
 colors. 
 
 Such a fleet many an important port has 
 never seen, and in New York harbor would 
 draw immense crowds. Here the spectacle was 
 wasted on unappreciative Cubans. 
 
 The bay presented a lively appearance with 
 the innumerable little launches and despatch 
 boats darting about from ship to ship. Vessels 
 went alongside sailing colliers to have their 
 bunkers replenished; other ships entered or left 
 255
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 at all hours; signals were continually flying from 
 the flagship; occasionally a Spanish launch bear 
 ing a flag of truce would come down from the 
 town, and in the midst of it all the crews of the 
 different men-of-war worked on in the accus 
 tomed routine, as if peace and war, drills and 
 fighting, were all a part of man s ordinary exist 
 ence. 
 
 Over a month ago we had sailed into this har 
 bor with the " Marblehead " ; the ship cleared 
 for action, the crews at their loaded guns, and the 
 battle ensigns flying from fore and mainmast, 
 as well as from taffrail. This time we entered 
 the bay with a feeling that we were to take part 
 in a great naval spectacle. 
 
 As soon as we joined the fleet we became 
 amenable to fleet discipline. All orders for rou 
 tine work came from the flagship. " Quarters " 
 were held but twice a day instead of three times, 
 and then they were short and, therefore, sweet. 
 
 Each morning at eight o clock, when a war 
 vessel is in port, the bugler plays " colors," while 
 the drummer beats three rolls; those of the 
 crew who are under the open sky stand at atten 
 tion, silent, facing aft, where the flag is being 
 hauled slowly to its place. At the completion 
 of the call all hands salute; then the work is 
 carried on. It is a beautiful ceremony. 
 256
 
 THE " YANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO. 
 
 Saluting the " colors " morning and evening 
 is not merely a mark of respect for the Govern 
 ment of the nation, but is an act of worship to 
 the God of nations a silent prayer for guid 
 ance and care and an expression of thankful 
 ness. 
 
 Shortly after " colors " the morning following 
 our arrival at Guantanamo, orders were given 
 to " turn to " on the ammunition. Launches 
 and barges from other warships came alongside, 
 and the charges of powder and the shells were 
 transferred to them. 
 
 When this cargo of deadly explosive began 
 to come aboard a " magazine watch " was set. 
 The ammunition was stowed in all parts of the 
 ship forward, main, and after holds were filled. 
 A watch was set on each of the holds. It was 
 their duty to watch the temperature day and 
 night and to report the same to the officer of the 
 deck every half hour. Extreme care was taken 
 to guard against fire. In case fire was discovered, 
 it was the duty of the man on watch to run and 
 turn on the water the key for the valve which 
 regulated this being always carried on his wrist. 
 Then he must notify the officer of the deck, 
 shouting " fire " as he went, after which he must 
 go back and with the hose endeavor to put out 
 the blaze. 
 
 17 257
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD T1IE "YANKEE." 
 
 Constant, wide-awake, alert watchfulness was 
 necessary. It was hot and close below, and at 
 night it was almost impossible to keep awake. 
 It is difficult enough to keep wide awake for an 
 hour s lookout on deck, when there is much to 
 see and the air is brisk and invigorating, but it is 
 quite a different matter to be roused in the mid 
 dle of the night to stand two hours watch in a 
 close, hot hold, where nothing more interesting 
 than cases of powder and the bare, blank sides 
 of the ship are to be seen. 
 
 At first, the knowledge that the lives of all 
 on board and the safety of the ship herself de 
 pended on the alertness of the watch, kept us 
 wide awake and anxious, but as time went 
 on, it grew harder and harder to resist nature s 
 demand for sleep; therefore, when the order 
 was given to unload the ammunition, none 
 were gladder than the men of the " magazine 
 watches." 
 
 After evening mess the boatswain s mate he 
 got his orders from the bridge came aft, shout 
 ing as he walked, " All you men who want to 
 go in swimming may do so right away." 
 
 There was no doubt as to the popularity of 
 that order. "All we men" wanted to go in swim 
 ming, and that right away. In a jiffy, white 
 figures began to drop over the side with a splash, 
 258
 
 HE GOT HIS ORDERS FROM THE BRIDGE" (page 258;. 
 
 " ALL YOU MEN WHO WANT TO GO IN SWIMMING MAY 
 
 DO so " (page 258).
 
 THE " YANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO. 
 
 and soon shouts of glee filled the air. The water 
 was warm and clear as crystal, and so dense with 
 salt that a man diving, came up like a cork. In 
 fifteen minutes the order "Knock off swimming" 
 was passed, and though we left the water with 
 reluctance, obedience was prompt, lest the privi 
 lege might not again be accorded us. 
 
 After hammocks had been given out, boats 
 hoisted all the work of the day finished, in fact 
 most of the men gathered aft to hear the band 
 of the " Oregon " play. It was a volunteer band; 
 that is, the musicians were enlisted men, not as 
 signed for the band. They played with vim and 
 precision. 
 
 It was almost dark; only the ships outlines 
 could be made out. The red and white signal 
 lights twinkled at intervals at the mastheads of 
 different vessels, while beams of light showed on 
 the still, dark water from open ports. The whole 
 fleet lay quiet while the men listened to the 
 strains of music from the " Oregon." It was 
 more like the rendezvous of a cruising yacht 
 club than a fleet of warships gathered in the 
 enemy s country. 
 
 The music from the battleship ceased, and for 
 a moment all was still save for the lapping of the 
 water against the ships sides and the splash of 
 a fish as it leaped out of water. 
 259
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Suddenly and together, a shrill piping on 
 all the ships broke the silence, followed by 
 the hoarse cry, " All the anchor watch to 
 muster." 
 
 On all men-of-war at eight o clock, the anchor 
 watch is mustered. It consists of sixteen men 
 eight on duty from nine till one o clock, the 
 other eight from one till " all hands " at 5:30. 
 The first part always calls its relief at one 
 o clock. 
 
 The mustering over, all flocked aft to hear the 
 band again, but were disappointed, for the con 
 cert was over. 
 
 However, the men had come aft for music and 
 music they must have in some shape. 
 
 So " Steve " the modest was dragged out, and 
 after some persuasion sang the following to the 
 tune of " Lou, Lou, How I Love Ma Lou." 
 " Baron," the gunner s mate, accompanied him 
 on the mandolin, and Eickmann, the marine cor 
 poral, helped out with his guitar. 
 
 " Way down at the Brooklyn navy yard, 
 
 Where ships are rigged for sea, 
 Three hundred little heroes 
 
 Went aboard the old Yankee. 
 Oh ! we were young and foolish, 
 
 We longed for Spanish gore, 
 And so they set us working 
 As we never worked before. 
 260
 
 THE " YANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAQO. 
 
 CHORUS : 
 
 " Hard-tack and salt-horse every day, 
 "Work, slave, for mighty little pay ; 
 And just before we get to sleep 
 We hear the bosun pipe like this 
 
 (Whistle), 
 Up all hammocks, all hands. 
 
 " They turn us out each morning, 
 
 To scrub our working clothes ; 
 To polish guns and bright work, 
 
 To light along the hose. 
 To wash down decks and ladders, 
 
 To coil down miles of rope, 
 To carry coal in baskets, 
 
 To live on air and hope. 
 
 CHORUS : 
 
 " Hard-tack and salt-horse every day, 
 Work, slave, for mighty little pay ; 
 And when we think our work is done 
 We hear the bosun pipe like this 
 
 (Whistle), 
 Turn to. 
 
 " Way down at Santiago, 
 
 We fit the forts one day. 
 The shells were bursting o er us, 
 
 There was the deuce to pay. 
 We hid our inclination 
 
 To run and hide below, 
 Because we re little heroes, 
 They ve often told us so. 
 261
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 CHORUS : 
 
 " Hard-tack and salt-horse every day, 
 Work, slave, for mighty little pay ; 
 And just as all the fight was over 
 We heard the bosun pipe like this 
 
 (Whistle), 
 
 Gun-deck sweepers, clean sweep fore and aft. 
 Sweepers, clean your spit kits. 
 
 " One Saturday we anchored 
 
 Just off the Isle of Pines, 
 To load up with pineapples, 
 
 And look for Spanish signs. 
 We called away the cutters, 
 
 With seamen filled them up, 
 And captured five small sailboats, 
 
 Two Spaniards and a pup. 
 
 CHORUS : 
 
 " Hard-tack and salt-horse every day, 
 Work, slave, for mighty little pay ; 
 And when we d like to talk it over 
 We heard the bosun pipe this 
 
 (Whistle), 
 Pipe down. " 
 
 " That s great! " said one and all. 
 
 " There is just time for the Intermezzo be 
 fore tattoo, Baron/ " said " Pair o Pants," the 
 signal boy. " Give it to us, will you? " 
 
 " Baron " obligingly complied. 
 
 The boys lay around in comfortable, though 
 262
 
 THE 13-INCH CHARGE OF SMOKELESS POWDER WAS LOW 
 
 ERED DOWN " (page 263). 
 
 THE ADMIRAL WENT OVER IN OUR GIG " (page 268).
 
 TEE " YANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO. 
 
 ungraceful, attitudes, a small but appreciative 
 audience. 
 
 As the last high note died away the ship s 
 bugler began that lovely call, " tattoo." We 
 listened in silence, for though we had heard it 
 many times, it was always a delight to us. Then, 
 too, it meant rest (not a drug in the market by 
 any means). Every ship s crew in the harbor, 
 at the same moment was listening to the call 
 blown by their own bugler. 
 
 The men tumbled below and began to pre 
 pare for the voyage to dreamland. 
 
 Five minutes later, when the sleepy " taps " 
 sounded, the decks were almost deserted save 
 for the hammocks, which looked like huge co 
 coons swung horizontally. 
 
 The following days till Sunday were spent 
 in unloading powder and shell. The six and 
 eight-inch charges of powder and the shell were 
 lifted by hand and slid down chutes to the 
 barges alongside. To handle the powder and 
 shell for the thirteen-inch guns, steam was called 
 into service; the thirteen-inch charges being 
 lowered into the waiting boat, by the aid of the 
 cargo boom and steam winch. 
 
 This work was hard and the heat trying, but 
 it was accomplished with good grace, for we 
 were glad to get rid of the dangerous stuff. 
 263
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Sunday, after the usual inspection, several 
 visiting lists were arranged, the most popular 
 being that for the " Oregon." "We all wanted 
 to inspect that wonderful ship. Visiting is 
 generally conducted on Sunday or after dark. 
 The word is passed for those who wish to 
 visit a certain ship to " lay aft and report 
 to the officer of the deck." The party, all 
 in clean clothes, are taken to the vessel desig 
 nated and lined up. After being counted they 
 are allowed to go forward, where they yarn to 
 their heart s content until the word is given 
 by the boatswain s mate for them to muster aft 
 again. 
 
 The " visiting party " to Uncle Sam s bull 
 dog was cordially received and shown all over. 
 The great battleship was as clean and neat as 
 a new pin. She looked as if she had just come 
 out of her builders hands. Paint work spotless, 
 brass work shining, engines fairly dazzling in 
 their brightness. The crew contented and full 
 of enthusiasm for their ship and commander 
 gallant Captain Clark! 
 
 We saw the guns that helped to lay low Cer- 
 vera s splendid fleet and we saw " the men behind 
 the guns." 
 
 Our attention was called to a Jacky sewing on 
 a blue shirt. 
 
 264
 
 THE " TANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO. 
 
 " Do you see that man over there? " said our 
 guide. 
 
 We answered " Yes." 
 
 " Well, that s the chap that blew up one of 
 the torpedo boats." 
 
 "Is that so? Tell us about it." We gazed 
 open-mouthed at the gunner as he sat cross- 
 legged on the deck, sewing with all his might. 
 
 " Yes, that s the chap. You see, the Spaniard 
 was coming in our direction, and coming like 
 greased lightning. The six-pounders on the 
 superstructure had not been able to stop her,* 
 and things began to be interesting " 
 
 " Yes," we gasped, breathlessly, as he stopped 
 to light his pipe. 
 
 " Well, as I was saying, the blooming tor 
 pedo boat came nearer and nearer, and did 
 not seem to mind the hail of six-pounders any 
 more than a duck does the rain. I dunno why, 
 for she had no protection that a sixer would not 
 penetrate. 
 
 " It got to be blamed exciting, when the offi 
 cer of the division said to that feller over there, 
 who was a captain of an eight-inch rifle, Try 
 your hand at it. 
 
 " Bill said, Aye, aye, sir, give me time and 
 I ll plunk her sure. All this time the sneaking 
 craft was coming nearer and nearer. Bill ad- 
 265
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 justed his sight and looked and looked, but still 
 did not fire. 
 
 " { For heaven s sake, hurry up ! said the 
 division officer, getting nervous. 
 
 " In a minute, sir/ said Bill. As soon as I 
 get a good bead. 
 
 " He was as cool as an ice machine, and as 
 deliberate as an old hen, but he could shoot, 
 so we held ourselves in as best we could and 
 watched. After waiting for what seemed an 
 hour, Bill pulled the lanyard and the old gun 
 roared. As soon as the smoke cleared away, we 
 looked to see the result of the shot. There was 
 some wreckage floating where the torpedo boat 
 had been that was all. Bill s shot went home, 
 and exploded in the boiler room, and the whole 
 craft went up in an instant." 
 
 We looked again admiringly at the man sit 
 ting there so unconcernedly, and then in obedi 
 ence to the boatswain s call, went aft and aboard 
 our cutter. 
 
 All the ammunition for the fleet was unloaded 
 by Tuesday. We still carried a small quantity 
 of both powder and shell for the " Massachu 
 setts." 
 
 Tuesday afternoon we anchored alongside the 
 sailing collier " Frank A. Palmer," and began 
 to coal. The " Yankee s " sister ship " Prairie," 
 266
 
 TEE " YANKEE " ARRIVES OFF SANTIAGO. 
 
 manned by the Massachusetts Naval Reserves, 
 lay on the other side; we exchanged visits and 
 found them good fellows, and we yarned away 
 to our heart s content. 
 
 We had now become, in a degree, used to coal 
 ing; our muscles were hardened and some long- 
 needed labor-saving devices had been intro 
 duced, so the work was a little easier. 
 
 Coaling continued till Friday night. During 
 the morning of that day we were told that if 
 two hundred tons were put aboard, a chance 
 would be given us on the morrow to see the 
 wrecks of Cervera s once fine vessels. It was 
 all the incentive we needed, and the coal came 
 aboard in a steady stream. A little after seven 
 the required amount was in the bunkers, and by 
 eight o clock the stages and other coaling para 
 phernalia were stowed away and the " Yankee " 
 had cast loose and was anchored by herself. 
 
 The following morning dawned bright and 
 clear. Admiral Sampson came aboard at 8:30. 
 We manned the " cat falls " and got under way 
 at once. 
 
 On the way down to the wrecks, the ship was 
 cleaned, so by the time we reached the ruins of 
 the Spanish vessels, the " Yankee " was spick 
 and span. 
 
 We passed the wrecks of the two torpedo 
 267
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 boats, passed the mouth of Santiago harbor, till 
 finally we came to the " Almirante Oquendo " 
 and the " Maria Teresa," fifteen miles west of 
 old Morro. 
 
 The two wrecks lay close together. They 
 were a melancholy sight; the " Almirante 
 Oquendo," badly listed to port, a great rent in 
 her side, rusted, almost completely demolished. 
 The " Maria Teresa " seemed in better shape, 
 but many shot holes were visible in her side. 
 
 It was a dreary though gratifying sight. The 
 great green-clothed mountains looked down 
 serenely on these two examples of man s handi 
 work and man s destructiveness; the blue sea 
 dashed itself to foam against the coral-bound 
 coast; and the bright sun shone over all. 
 
 The admiral went over in our gig, together 
 with the captain and executive officer. Several 
 other boats went along, carrying, beside the 
 regular crews, commissioned and chief petty 
 officers. 
 
 As we watched the boats bobbing in the short 
 billows on their way, we, who were left behind, 
 could not help comparing these battered hulks 
 before us with our magnificent ships in Guan- 
 tanamo Bay. 
 
 All hail to the American seamen, " the men 
 behind the guns " ! 
 
 2G8
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 For a few days there was little to do beyond 
 the never-ending routine work : scrubbing decks, 
 cleaning paint, and polishing bright work on 
 guns and equipments. 
 
 We were beginning to wonder if we were to 
 lie at anchor indefinitely, and if our last chance 
 of seeing any active service had gone by. 
 
 On the morning of Monday, August 1st, we 
 had orders to get under way and go to sea. 
 Tongues began to wag at once, and before we 
 had fairly cleared the harbor a dozen different 
 destinations had been picked out. 
 
 It would seem as if there could be no great 
 danger in letting the men have some knowledge 
 of where they are bound when fairly at sea, 
 with no beings to whom the secret might be told, 
 save sharks and dolphins, but 
 
 "Theirs not to make reply, 
 Theirs not to reason why."
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 The navy has little use for Jacky s brains; 
 only his trained muscles and sinews. There is 
 no life that can be depended upon to take the 
 pride of intellect out of a man like that of a 
 sailor, as Rudyard Kipling has shown in the case 
 of Harvey Cheyne. We of the crew could think 
 of many a cad on whom we would like to try the 
 discipline. 
 
 The most popular rumor ran to this effect: 
 we are bound for Porto Rico to take part with 
 the " Massachusetts," " New Orleans," " Dixie," 
 and other ships of the fleet in a bombardment of 
 San Juan. 
 
 By the time land had faded from view, we 
 knew that we really were bound for Porto Rico, 
 but for what purpose we knew not. The rumor 
 was correct in part, at least. 
 
 We were glad to get to sea again. There is 
 an undefinable feeling of relief, almost of joy, 
 when the regular throbbing of the engines be 
 gins and the ship rolls and heaves to the 
 swell. 
 
 The spirits of the men rise ; smiles lighten up 
 their faces, and snatches of song can be heard 
 as they work coiling down lines, lashing mov 
 ables, and preparing the vessel for the rough- 
 and-tumble conflict with the sea. 
 
 As the sun sank, the waves rose. By the time 
 270
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 the first night watch went on duty, the old 
 steamer was tossing like a chip. 
 
 The guns crews of the watch on deck were 
 ordered to sleep by their posts, and all was in 
 readiness for instant action. 
 
 At eleven o clock we were roused by the call 
 for " general quarters," and in a minute all 
 hands were in their places. We looked vainly, 
 at first, for the cause of this commotion, but 
 finally made out off our port bow the dim out 
 lines of a steamer. 
 
 It was only when our ship was on the top of 
 the roll that we could make out our chase at all 
 nothing but a wall of water could be seen when 
 we lay in the trough. 
 
 " That boat is certainly doing her best to get 
 away," said "Bill." "And, holy smoke! see 
 how she rolls." 
 
 " She can t trot in our heat," said " Dye." 
 " We re gaining on her every minute." 
 
 " She s not a warship," said " Long Tommy," 
 who was lucky enough to possess a pair of glasses. 
 " I wonder if we re going to get a prize at last? " 
 
 " You forget the fishing sloops. Remember 
 the fish, " laughed " Hay." 
 
 The two vessels came nearer and nearer, till 
 finally they were within hailing distance. 
 
 "What ship is that?" called out Captain 
 271
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Brownson, through the megaphone. " And 
 where are you bound? " 
 
 The answer came faintly over the tossing 
 waves : " The Burton/ with coal for Santiago 
 from Guadeloupe." 
 
 " Ah, ha ! " said Tommy, " we get a prize at 
 last." 
 
 " Wait a minute," said " Stump," " he is say 
 ing something else." 
 
 A gust of wind came at that moment and 
 carried most of the sound away, but we gathered 
 that our hoped-for prize had papers from our 
 consul allowing her free passage. 
 
 There was a universal groan of disappoint 
 ment, and when the order was given to " secure," 
 the hose was pulled up with unnecessary vio 
 lence, hatches were lowered, and gun closets 
 closed with no gentle hands. Such keen disap 
 pointment must somehow find a vent. 
 
 There was great excitement the following 
 afternoon when the word was passed for all hands 
 to get out their leggings and to wear shoes to 
 midday quarters. And when we were arranged 
 into companies, and had haversacks, canteens, 
 and knapsacks doled out to us, we concluded 
 that a landing party would be made up for 
 Porto Rico. 
 
 " The old man is going to show the Spin- 
 272
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 ache that the ( Yankee boys can fight on land 
 as well as on sea," said Tommy, as he yanked at 
 an obstinate haversack strap. 
 
 We marched round and round the spar deck 
 to the music of bugle and drum till we got well 
 into the swing of it, and felt very martial and 
 formidable indeed. 
 
 The " Dixie " hove in sight at this juncture, 
 and after a long megaphone conversation, we 
 learned that the " Massachusetts," for which we 
 had some ammunition, was on her way to Guan- 
 tanamo, so we reluctantly turned around and 
 retraced our way, the " Dixie " leading. Porto 
 Eico was not for us. Alas! 
 
 We felt like 
 
 " The King of France and his hundred thousand men 
 Drew their swords and put them up again." 
 
 The next morning we hove-to a Norwegian 
 steamer, the " Marie," and before we realized 
 what was being done, we found that we had 
 a prize at last. A snug little steamer she 
 was, well loaded down with coal for Cervera s 
 fleet. 
 
 " Cutlets " went over in a whaleboat, with a 
 prize crew of six men. 
 
 " Well, well ! this is" almost too good to be 
 true," said an after guard. " This is great luck. 
 18 273
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 We capture a prize and get rid of Cutlets at 
 the same time." 
 
 To which we all said, Amen. 
 
 We separated from the " Marie," and, as the 
 " Yankee " was much the faster, she was soon 
 lost to sight. 
 
 The anchor had no sooner been dropped in 
 Guantanamo Bay than our captain went over 
 to the " New York," and then signals began to 
 be displayed, and soon after all hands were haul 
 ing on the " cat falls." 
 
 The skipper returned; the gig was pulled up 
 to its place, and very soon we were ploughing the 
 water in the open. As we went out, our prize 
 came in. 
 
 It seems the encounter with the " Burton " 
 was told to the admiral, and he at once ordered 
 us to go out and get her. 
 
 We headed straight out. The black smoke 
 poured out of the funnels; the ship shook with 
 the pounding of the strained engines. The land 
 faded from view. 
 
 About two o clock we sighted the object of 
 our chase, and it only required a blank shot 
 from the forward six-pounder to bring her 
 to. 
 
 The prize crew, consisting of six seamen, some 
 firemen and engineers, and officered by Lieu- 
 274
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 tenant Duncan, went over and took possession 
 of our second prize in one day. 
 
 Captor and captive then turned and headed 
 for Guantanamo. 
 
 The men were in high spirits. Speculation 
 was rife as to the amount of prize money each 
 would secure, and some even went so far as to 
 plan the spending of it. 
 
 Every one felt very gay, and as if something 
 should be done to celebrate our good fortune. 
 We would have liked to spend some money for 
 an entertainment, but that was impossible. 
 
 " Dick," however, was impressed into service 
 to furnish some amusement. " Dick," a fore 
 castle man, is a born story-teller, and we knew 
 if we could get him started, some fun would be 
 assured. 
 
 After some pressure he acquiesced, and began 
 the following yarn : 
 
 " One day a certain Irishman, Mike Dooley 
 by name, departed this life. He was much re 
 spected, and his death caused no little sorrow to 
 his friends and neighbors. His wife and chil 
 dren were simply inconsolable. The widow 
 wished to have a handsome funeral in his honor 
 and spent her savings in furtherance of that plan. 
 She had enough money for everything, except 
 the silver inscription plate. But that difficulty 
 275
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " 1 ANKEE." 
 
 was easily overcome, for What s the matter wid 
 Pat Molloy painting it nately in white paint? 
 she said. 
 
 " Pat, being approached on the subject, ex 
 pressed his entire willingness, and soon after 
 called for the casket and took it away. He was 
 told to letter the following, in neat, white letters : 
 Michael Dooley departed this life in his prime, 
 at the age of twenty-eight. 
 
 " Pat was a bricklayer by trade, and painting 
 was only a side line with him. 
 
 " He started to put the inscription on the cas 
 ket, and got along bravely till he came to age 
 of twenty-eight. Then he realized that he could 
 not make the figures. He puzzled over it a long 
 while, for he did not like to ask and thus show up 
 his ignorance. 
 
 " Finally a bright idea struck him. Four 
 sevens make tw r enty-eight why not put down 
 four sevens that was easy ! 
 
 " The job w r as finished just in time. 
 
 " The relatives and friends were gathered 
 round to pay their last respects. One friend was 
 asked to get up and make a few remarks. He 
 did so and began as follows : 
 
 " f I am glad to be able to say a few words on 
 this sad occasion, a few words of praise for our 
 beloved friend; for other words than praise could 
 276
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 not be said of him. I am proud to have known 
 him and to have been numbered among his 
 friends. His virtues need hardly be repeated. 
 You knew him well. His generosity, his friend 
 liness, and all the rest he possessed. I knew him 
 from his youth up, and I am well aware of his 
 goodness, as are you. He was a good husband, 
 a good father, and a good friend. It is hard to 
 give him up, but it must be. He died at the age 
 
 of 
 
 " Here the speaker glanced at the casket be 
 side which he stood, and read the following: 
 
 MICHAEL DOOLEY 
 
 DEPARTED THIS LIFE IN HIS PRIME, 
 AT THE AGE OF 
 
 7777. 
 
 " Yis, my bereaved friends, he continued, 
 he was a good father, husband, and friend, and 
 none knows that better than I. He was cut off 
 in the pride of manhood, you might say in his 
 prime, at the age of 
 
 " He glanced at the inscription again, then, 
 after a painful pause, blurted forth : Well, how 
 the divil did he escape the flood? 
 
 The sound of " tattoo " interrupted our laugh 
 ter at this point, and all hands tumbled below. 
 277
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 The following day we got rid of the last of the 
 ammunition to the " Massachusetts." A sigh of 
 relief and thankfulness went up as the last charge 
 of powder was taken over the side. 
 
 The same day we saw some of our prize money 
 vanish into thin air. The " Burton " was re 
 leased, and steamed out of the harbor. 
 
 It was about this time that a well-authenti 
 cated rumor went the rounds to the effect that 
 we were to go with a formidable fleet to Spain, 
 harass her coasts, and do up Camara s fleet. This 
 rumor was so well founded that many of us be 
 lieved it, and, consequently, much time was spent 
 in writing farewell letters. 
 
 The prospect of soon seeing the " land of the 
 free and the home of the brave " was not very 
 bright. The consensus of opinion at this time 
 was that we would see our year out in Uncle 
 Sam s service. 
 
 There was considerable gloom. The start 
 once made and the " Yankee " actually on her 
 way to the land of the Dons, all would be well 
 and all hands would be cheerful; but the con 
 templation of the long trip in the wrong direc 
 tion was a very different matter. 
 
 The air was full of rumors. All was uncer 
 tain. We continued to write farewell letters, 
 while the invading fleet still lay quietly at 
 278
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 anchor, but ready to sail to the ends of the earth 
 at a few hours notice. 
 
 The night of August 10th was moonless and 
 dark. There had been no music from the " Ore 
 gon s " band, and none of our men felt inclined 
 to sing. 
 
 The uncertainty had begun to tell, and all 
 were a little depressed. 
 
 I was " it " for anchor watch, and, as is often 
 the case, the anchor watch manned the running 
 small boat. 
 
 We visited several vessels of the fleet, the crew 
 staying in the boat while the officers went aboard. 
 When we finally started to return to our own 
 ship, we carried two of our officers, Mr. Duncan, 
 Mr. Barnard, and an officer from the " Indiana." 
 As we cleared the wall-like sides of the " St. 
 Paul," we noted that the general signal call 
 (four red lights) was up ^n the " l^ew York." 
 Then, as we watched, the red and white bulbs 
 began to spell out a message that made us all 
 thrill with joy. The interest of the moment 
 broke down all barriers of rank, and officers and 
 men spelled out the exciting words aloud. 
 
 A-S-S-O-C-I-A-T-E-D P-R-E-S-S D-E-S-P-A-T-C-H 
 S-T-A-T-E-S T-H-A-T P-E-A-C-E P-R-O-T-O-C-O-L 
 H-A-S B-E-E-N A-G-R-E-E-D U-P-O-N. 
 
 279
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 We Jackies would have liked to yell, but our 
 lessons had been too well learned, and we re 
 strained ourselves. We put the officer from the 
 " Indiana " aboard his own ship and then re 
 turned to the " Yankee." 
 
 As soon as the boat was secured for the night, 
 I went around waking some of my particular 
 friends to tell them the great news, forgetting 
 that they could see it quite as well as I. All 
 were too good-natured, however, to object; on 
 the contrary, they seemed glad to talk about 
 it. There was some dispute as to the meaning 
 of the word " protocol " ; but all agreed that, 
 whatever its meaning, it must be good, coupled 
 as it was with " peace." 
 
 As we talked quietly, we heard faintly, softly, 
 a verse of " Morse s " song: 
 
 Our fighting cruise will soon be o er, 
 
 Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
 We ll be happy the moment our feet touch shore, 
 
 Hurrah ! Hurrah ! 
 
 And Cutlets and Hubbub and all the rest 
 May stick to the calling they re fitted for best, 
 But we ll all feel gay when 
 
 The Yankee goes sailing home." 
 
 In spite of the peace news we got orders to go 
 out with the " Dixie " and blockade the Crooked 
 Island Passage. So about four o clock we hauled 
 280
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 up the anchor and went to sea. All were gay, 
 and many shook their hands in f arewell to Guan- 
 tanamo Bay. 
 
 We were instructed to keep a sharp lookout 
 for the steamer " Monserrat," which had gained 
 fame as a blockade runner. It was rumored that 
 she carried Captain-General Blanco; that she was 
 well armed, and had a captain noted for his un- 
 scrupulousness and for his fighting qualities. 
 
 "I d like to meet that ship," said "Hay," 
 " have a good scrap with her, get a couple of 
 shot holes in our upper works and battle flags, 
 and then bring her triumphantly into Key West 
 or, better still, New York." 
 
 " Want to go out in a blaze of glory, do you? " 
 said Tommy, the long. 
 
 " Sure. I d like to burn some of that powder 
 we took such trouble to load." 
 
 This expressed the sentiments of the whole 
 ship s company. 
 
 To have one more good fight in which we 
 were to come out victorious, of course get a few 
 souvenir shot holes where no harm would be 
 done, and then go home. This would just about 
 have suited us. 
 
 We floated around lazily all day Friday and 
 Saturday with a chip on our shoulder, as it were, 
 but no " Monserrat " came to knock it off. 
 281
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 The lookouts at the masthead strained their 
 eyes, and half the men not actually at work did 
 likewise. All in vain; not an enemy did we see. 
 A number of transports homeward bound, bear 
 ing worn but happy soldiers, were passed, and 
 some came near enough to exchange cheers and 
 good wishes. 
 
 The screw revolved but slowly, and the ship 
 moved just enough to give steerage way. Every 
 passing wave did as it wished with the great hulk, 
 and she rolled like a log in the long swell. 
 
 Sunday night a change came over the almost 
 quiet ship. The propeller turned with some 
 energy; the steering engine whirred, and the 
 " Yankee " changed her course. This time she 
 headed straight for Guantanamo, and before 
 many minutes we knew that we were returning 
 to our old anchorage. The orders were to block 
 ade the passage and keep a bright lookout for the 
 " Monserrat " ; if by Sunday at six o clock she 
 had not appeared, we were to return to the fleet. 
 
 The men who were so sure that we should 
 never see Guantanamo again wore a sheepish air, 
 and those who were not so sure lorded over them 
 and remarked cheerfully, " I told you so." 
 
 Those of us who were sleeping at midnight 
 were wakened and told to come to the port and 
 look. Sleepily we obeyed, but the moment we 
 282
 
 HOPE DEFERRED. 
 
 reached the opening we were wide awake. There, 
 not three miles off, rolling in the ground swell, 
 lay a great fleet, the searchlights sweeping the 
 heavens and sea; the signal lanterns twinkling. 
 
 As we looked, we saw at the masthead of the 
 foremost vessel the signal lights spell out A fol 
 lowed by D, the " Yankee s " private night sig 
 nal. Then, and our eyes almost started from 
 our heads as we gazed, the lights continued to 
 spell : 
 
 " Blockade raised; hostilities ceased." 
 
 " Hurrah ! " shouted some one behind me. 
 
 "Wait a minute," said "Hay," "that s not 
 all." 
 
 The lights went on spelling : " We are on our 
 way to New York. You are to proceed to Guan- 
 tanamo." 
 
 The hurrah, as we spelled out the first sen 
 tences, was followed by a groan, as we read the 
 last. We were glad, indeed, to know that peace 
 had come, but it was hard to see that great fleet 
 homeward bound, and know that we must go 
 back to our old post, to stay indefinitely. 
 
 " Hope deferred maketh the heart sick." 
 
 383
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 TAPS. 
 
 The days following our arrival at Guantanamo 
 were days of keen expectation and equally keen 
 disappointment. A rumor that we were to re 
 turn home at once would start up from nowhere 
 in particular, and circulate until it was believed. 
 Then would come a denial and consequent dis 
 content. The enforced idleness of riding at 
 anchor day after day became so monotonous at 
 last, that any little incident served to create ex 
 citement. Visiting parties between the ships 
 were permitted occasionally, and the "Yankee s" 
 crew grasped the opportunity to inspect some of 
 the other auxiliary cruisers. One or two liberty 
 parties were allowed ashore at Camp McCalla, 
 from which the men returned, tired and warm, 
 but full of enthusiasm and interest for the things 
 they had seen. The amount of " curios " and 
 souvenirs brought aboard would fill a museum. 
 Pieces of projectiles and Mauser cartridge shells, 
 fragments of an unusual red wood, and pieces 
 284
 
 TAPS. 
 
 of fossil rock, of which the cliff was composed, 
 were stowed away in bags and ditty boxes. 
 
 The bay now had a very deserted appearance. 
 All the battleships and many of the cruisers had 
 gone North. The auxiliary cruisers, " New 
 Orleans," "Newark," " Marblehead," and a 
 number of converted yachts were all that re 
 mained, besides our own vessel. It was still a 
 goodly fleet, but in comparison to the great 
 squadron, seemed small. 
 
 For the first time we were at a loss for some 
 thing to do. Time hung heavy on our hands. 
 The routine work, including morning "quarters," 
 was finished by half -past ten every morning, and 
 the balance of the day was spent as pleased us 
 best, within certain well-defined limits. 
 
 Much time and thought were spent in chasing 
 down rumors, and watching signals from the 
 flagship. 
 
 . Troopships from Santiago, laden with home 
 ward-bound troops, sailed by the mouth of the 
 harbor, but we, the first volunteers to reach the 
 seat of war and to see active service, still lingered. 
 The " Resolute " and " Badger " left at last, and 
 it was rumored that we would follow next day. 
 But still we lingered. 
 
 Occasionally we got mail that told of home 
 doings, and almost every letter finished with, " I 
 285
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE " YANKEE." 
 
 suppose that you will soon be home, now that 
 peace is declared." But still we lingered. 
 
 We knew that we could hardly expect to be 
 relieved at once; that there were many arrange 
 ments to be made in the Navy Department ; many 
 orders to be signed, and new plans to be formu 
 lated. But the thought carried little comfort 
 with it. The pangs of homesickness were get 
 ting a strong hold on us. 
 
 Dr. " Gangway " McGowan had the ship s 
 carpenter nail a nice, smooth piece of board over 
 a hole in the wire netting of his cabin door ; some 
 wag took advantage of the opportunity, and let 
 tered plainly the following, on its white surface : 
 
 DR. "GANGWAY" McGOWAN. 
 
 OFFICE HOURS : SPECIALTY : Cold 
 
 All hands to feet and home- 
 
 hammocks, sick " heroes." 
 
 He would have done a rushing business if he 
 could have found a sure cure for homesick 
 " heroes." 
 
 On Tuesday, August 23d, our depression 
 
 reached its culminating point, for the word had 
 
 been passed unofficially that \ve might lay here 
 
 indefinitely two weeks, a month, three months 
 
 286
 
 TAPS. 
 
 there was no telling when we would get away 
 from what had become a hateful spot to us. The 
 men went about with a dejected air, and while 
 all were good-natured enough, there was little 
 inclination to talk. 
 
 As night drew near, we saw several troopships 
 pass the harbor homeward bound, and the sight 
 did not lighten our gloom. 
 
 When the sun finally sank, we were as melan 
 choly a crowd as ever trod a deck. 
 
 The men gathered in little groups, bewailing 
 in monosyllables the decidedly gloomy future, 
 when some one glanced up and saw that Com 
 modore Watson s flagship, the " Newark," was 
 showing the general signal lights. Then, as the 
 answering lights blazed on the other ships, the red 
 and white lanterns began to spell out a message. 
 
 The news spread at once that the flagship was 
 signalling a general message or one of interest 
 to the whole fleet. 
 
 Soon the rail was lined with signal boys, and 
 signal boys, pro tern. 
 
 Those who could read them, spelled the mes 
 sages aloud, letter by letter. 
 
 " Y-A-N-K-E-E A-N-D N-I-A-G-A-R-A W-I-L-L 
 S-A-I-L F-O-R T-O-M-P-K-I-N-S-V-I-L-L-E T-O- 
 M-O-R-R-O-W. D-I-X-I-E A-N-D < F-E-R-N 
 W-I-L-L G-O T-O H-A-M-P-T-0-N R-O-A-D-S." 
 
 287
 
 A OUNNER ABOARD THE " YAXEEE." 
 
 With a single bound all was changed from 
 gloom to gladness. 
 
 No man could say how glad he was, but every 
 man felt his heart grow warm within him. There 
 was a deep feeling of gratitude for the provi 
 dential care we had received, and for the happy 
 release that now had come. 
 
 " Cupid," the ship s bugler, played " Home, 
 Sweet Home," and instead of mobbing him as 
 we would have done had he played it three hours 
 earlier, we applauded. He also played " Amer 
 ica," and then " Dixie," in honor of our Mary 
 land friends on our sister ship of that name. It 
 pleased them mightily, as was evidenced by the 
 cheer that came over the quiet water to us. 
 Their bugler returned the compliment soon after 
 by playing " Yankee Doodle." 
 
 There was much good feeling when the men 
 went below, to turn in, but not to sleep ; we were 
 too happy for that. 
 
 As the talk and laughter gradually died down 
 (the order, " Turn in your hammocks and keep 
 silence," was not very strictly observed that 
 night), a voice would be heard singing not al 
 ways the same voice: 
 
 " But we ll all feel gay when 
 The Yankee goes sailing home." 
 
 The following morning Scully did not have 
 
 288
 
 SANG OUT AS HE HEAVED THE LEAD" (page 289). 
 
 " EIGHT BELLS "
 
 TAPS. 
 
 to repeat " up all hands/ for he had hardly got 
 the words out of his mouth before every man 
 was scrambling into his clothes as fast as he could. 
 
 Soon after breakfast the order was given to 
 hoist up the catamaran, and then the rest of the 
 boats were pulled up one by one. The boat s 
 falls were run away with in a fashion that made 
 the officers smile. The tackle-blocks fairly 
 smoked. 
 
 The only thing that marred our perfect joy 
 was the departure of some of the marines to the 
 " New Orleans." We had grown to like them 
 all very much, and especially a pleasant fellow 
 we dubbed " Happy," because of his unvarying 
 cheerfulness. We had hoped to bring them all 
 back with us, and were sorry to see them go. 
 
 We listened with eager ears for the final order 
 before sailing, " All hands on the cat falls," and 
 just before noon we heard it. In ready response 
 the men came tumbling up, and in a jiffy the 
 anchor was pulled up as if it weighed five hun 
 dred, instead of five thousand pounds. 
 
 The leadsman stood on his little platform and 
 sang out, as he heaved the lead, the number of 
 fathoms. It was the last touch we had of Cuban 
 soil. 
 
 As the old ship gathered headway, cheer after 
 cheer rang out from the ships that were left 
 19 289
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 behind, and in answer to each our crew, which 
 had gathered on the forecastle, gave three rous 
 ing hurrahs and a tiger. 
 
 So we sailed out of Guantanamo Bay for the 
 last time. 
 
 It was with a feeling of sadness mixed with 
 joy that we watched the headland, that stands 
 like a guard on one side of the bay, disappear in 
 the haze. We were one of the first ships to 
 enter its then hostile portals. We had gained 
 renown there; we had seen the American flag 
 raised on its beautiful shores, and but a few 
 minutes ago we heard a ringing American cheer 
 come over its clear waters, bidding us Godspeed 
 and a joyful home coming. 
 
 The voyage home was like a triumphal jour 
 ney. All hands were in high spirits. The 
 gloom of a few hours before was dispelled by the 
 talismanic words, " Yankee and Niagara will 
 sail for Tompkinsville." 
 
 Though we were exceedingly glad, there was 
 a good deal of quiet thinking going on. 
 
 One and all realized that we had been exposed 
 to no ordinary dangers. Danger from the en 
 emy s fire ; danger from a deadly climate ; danger 
 from the effects of unaccustomed labor; danger 
 from wind and raging sea. We had been brought 
 through safe and sound by an all-wise God to 
 290
 
 TAPS. 
 
 lead peaceful, useful, and, it is hoped, helpful 
 lives at home. 
 
 This same thought had been in our minds 
 many times before, and with the feeling of 
 thankfulness would come a sense of surprise that 
 we should pass through it all without harm. 
 
 We sped on and on, the ship s prow ever 
 pointed North. We watched the water to note 
 the change in color; to see when the blue water 
 of the Gulf Stream should be left behind and 
 the green northern sea should be entered. 
 
 As we neared New York our impatience grew 
 with every added mile, and this eagerness was 
 felt by officers as well as men. 
 
 We sometimes forgot that our officers were 
 capable of feeling disappointment, impatience, 
 and joy; that they also had to stand watch and 
 get along on short allowance of sleep ; that they, 
 too, were subject to annoyances as well as we. If 
 we had not felt this before, we fully realized, 
 now, how much our officers had done for us. 
 
 Lieutenants Duncan, Greene, and Barnard, 
 Dr. McGowan, Ensigns Dimock and Andrews, 
 always treated us fairly and honestly. 
 
 Every man has a deep-seated feeling of loy 
 alty and affection for them that will last as long 
 as life shall last. 
 
 As the tropical latitudes were left astern the 
 291
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 nights became cool, and the watch on deck had 
 the novel experience of walking post in pea 
 coats. Shortly after daybreak on the twenty- 
 seventh of August the Atlantic Highlands were 
 sighted, and, to quote one of the forecastle men, 
 " All hands shouted to see God s country once 
 more! " 
 
 Though we had seen the Highlands, Sandy 
 Hook, and all the familiar landmarks of the har 
 bor many times, never had they seemed so at 
 tractive. 
 
 The steam vessels we met tooted a welcome, 
 as our identity became known, and the sailing 
 craft dipped their colors in salute. 
 
 Inside the Narrows, and ranged along the 
 Staten Island shore, we found our companions 
 of the Santiago blockade, and, as we passed 
 through the fleet to our anchorage, the crew 
 stood at " quarters " in their honor. 
 
 We heard later of the great reception these 
 tried and true fighting ships of Uncle Sam s had 
 received, and we only regretted that we were 
 not present to add our little mite to the applause. 
 
 After two days stay off Tompkinsville, during 
 which time the ship was fairly overrun with vis 
 itors eager to see the " Yankee " and her crew of 
 " heroes," we steamed through the Narrows en 
 route for League Island. Orders had arrived 
 292
 
 TAPS, 
 
 from Washington providing for the paying off 
 and discharge of the New York Naval Reserves, 
 and little time was lost in obeying. 
 
 On reaching League Island, the naval station 
 near Philadelphia, we found the old-time war 
 monitors " Nahant " and " Jason " in port. 
 The crew of the " Nahant," made up of the New 
 York Naval Reserves, were in readiness to ac 
 company the " Yankee s " crew back to the 
 metropolis. 
 
 While waiting for the specified date Friday, 
 September 2d bags were packed for the last 
 time, and all preparations made for leaving the 
 ship. Now that the hour for departure was 
 rapidly approaching, many of the boys began to 
 express regrets. Despite the hardships attend 
 ing the cruise, it had brought many happy days 
 days made pleasurable by novel and strange 
 surroundings and it is not claiming too much to 
 say that not one of the " Yankee s " crew would 
 have surrendered his experience. 
 
 Friendships had been formed, too friendships 
 cemented by good fellowship and mutual peril. 
 Those who have spent many days at sea know that 
 acquaintances made on shipboard in the midst of 
 calms and storms and the dangers of the deep, 
 are lasting. And that was now being impressed 
 upon the boys of the " Yankee."
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 While the crews of the " Nahant " and " Yan 
 kee " were preparing for the railway trip to New 
 York, arrangements were being made in that city 
 for a rousing welcome to the returning Naval 
 Reserve Battalion. 
 
 Shortly after ten the boys were mustered aft 
 to hear Captain Brownson s parting speech. In 
 his usual brisk manner he said that we were now 
 to go back to our peaceful avocations; to our 
 homes; to join our relatives and friends, and to 
 become again private citizens. He ended by 
 wishing us the best of luck. 
 
 The cheers that followed shook the old ship 
 from keel to topmast, nor were the cheers for 
 Lieutenant Hubbard any the less hearty. 
 
 A very few minutes after, we piled into a tug 
 and steamed away. Little was said, for there 
 was a feeling of real regret : we were fond of the 
 old boat, after all. 
 
 "Patt," the gunner s mate; the marines, and 
 the few men of the engineer force who stayed 
 on board, waved good-by. 
 
 We boarded a special train with the crew 
 and officers of the " Nahant," and were soon 
 speeding over the level country towards New 
 York. 
 
 After a very fast trip we reached Jersey City, 
 where we were fitted out with rifles and belts, 
 294
 
 TAPS. 
 
 and were met by the band that was to lead us 
 through the city. 
 
 The people of New York turned out to give 
 us a rousing welcome. 
 
 It was a welcome we shall never forget a 
 welcome that made us forget all hardships, all 
 dangers. Whatever pride we may have had in 
 our achievements was drowned in that thun 
 derous greeting; we were humbled, for real 
 heroes could hardly have deserved such a recep 
 tion. 
 
 The Mayor stood in front of the City Hall and 
 reviewed us, and later we were reviewed by the 
 President himself, at Madison Square. 
 
 As the head of the column turned down 
 Twenty-sixth Street, heading to our old receiv 
 ing ship the " New Hampshire," the band struck 
 up " Home, Sweet Home." The men still 
 marched with heads erect and eyes to the front, 
 but many of those eyes were dimmed with a 
 moisture that almost prevented their owners 
 from seeing the long, homeward-bound pennant 
 that floated from the masthead of the old frigate. 
 
 As for the greeting given by mothers and 
 sisters and relatives of every degree and by 
 friends assembled on the " New Hampshire," 
 that is one experience that cannot be described; 
 it must be felt to be appreciated. Suffice it that 
 295
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 every member of the New York Naval Battalion 
 felt amply repaid for the hardships endured and 
 the sacrifices made in the service of Old Glory. 
 And if the occasion should again arise for the 
 calling out of the Naval Reserves of the First 
 New York Battalion, they, together with their 
 comrades, the Naval Reserve Battalions of other 
 cities, will cheerfully don their " clean whites " 
 and respond to muster. 
 "Pipe down!"
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 THE NAVAL MILITIA OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The Naval Militia is a volunteer organization made up 
 of certain patriotic citizens of the United States, who 
 conceived the idea that the country could be served by 
 its sons as well in the naval branch of the National De 
 fence as in the military. The subject of a naval volun 
 teer force had been agitated for several years, but it was 
 not until the latter part of June, 1891, that the first 
 enlistments were made. 
 
 Since that time the success of the organization has 
 been continuous and most gratifying, and it has required 
 only the recent war with Spain to prove that its value 
 to the country at large cannot be overestimated. At the 
 outbreak of hostilities, the strength of the Naval Militia 
 throughout the country was 4,445 officers and enlisted 
 men, but the rush of recruits incidental to the opening 
 of the war vastly increased that number. 
 
 The scope of the organization is naturally limited to 
 those States bordering on the seacoast and the Great 
 Lakes, but the interest taken in it to-day by the people 
 is widespread and emphatic. The existence of this 
 interest was amply proved by the enthusiastic welcome 
 tendered the returning crews of the " Badger," " Dixie," 
 " Prairie," " Yosemite," and " Yankee " by the citizens 
 of the cities more closely concerned, and by the country 
 at large. 
 
 297
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 In a report made to Secretary Long in 1897 by Theo 
 dore Roosevelt, then Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 
 these prophetic words were used : 
 
 "The rapidity with which modern wars are decided 
 renders it imperative to have men who can be ready for 
 immediate use, and outside of the regular navy these 
 men are only to be found in the Naval Militia of the 
 various States. If a body of naval militia is able to get 
 at its head some first-class man who is a graduate of 
 Annapolis ; if it puts under him as commissioned officers, 
 warrant officers, and petty officers men who have worked 
 their way up from grade to grade, year after year, and 
 who have fitted themselves for the higher positions by 
 the zeal and painstaking care with which they have per 
 formed their duties in the lower places ; and if the lands 
 men, ordinary seamen, and seamen go in resolutely to 
 do real work and learn their duties so that they can 
 perform them as well as the regulars aboard our war 
 ships, taking pride in their performance accordingly as 
 they are really difficult such an organization will, in 
 course of time, reach a point where it could be employed 
 immediately in the event of war. 
 
 "Most of the Naval Militia are now in condition to 
 render immediate service of a very valuable kind in 
 what may be called the second line of defence. They 
 could operate signal stations, help handle torpedoes and 
 mines, officer and man auxiliary cruisers, and assist in 
 the defence of points which are not covered by the army. 
 There are numbers of advanced bases which do not come 
 under the present scheme of army coast defence, and 
 which would have to be defended, at any rate during the 
 first weeks of war, by bodies of Naval Militia ; while 
 the knowledge they get by their incessant practice in 
 boats on the local waters would be invaluable. 
 298
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 "Furthermore, the highest and best trained bodies 
 could be used immediately on board the regular ships of 
 war ; this applies to the militia of the lakes as well as 
 to the militia of the seacoast and certainly no greater 
 tribute is necessary to pay to the lake militia. Many of 
 these naval battalions are composed of men who would 
 not enlist in time of peace, but who, under the spur of 
 war, would serve in any position for the first few im 
 portant months." 
 
 The last sentence of the above extract is of peculiar 
 interest, inasmuch as it proved true in every particular. 
 The crews of the auxiliary ships manned by the Naval 
 Militia during the Spanish-American war of 1898 were 
 composed of men who, in civil life, were brokers, law 
 yers, physicians, clerks, bookkeepers, or men of inde 
 pendent means. They sacrificed their personal interests 
 for the moment, and, in their patriotic zeal, accepted 
 positions of the most menial capacity on board ship. 
 
 Prior to the outbreak of war they had entered into 
 training with the utmost enthusiasm. The Navy De 
 partment had assigned some of the older vessels to the 
 various naval brigades, to be used as training ships, and 
 with these as headquarters the brigades began drilling. 
 In addition to the regular routine, summer cruising was 
 taken up. 
 
 The First Battalion, New York State Militia, for in 
 stance, went in a body to Fisher s Island, off the eastern 
 end of Connecticut, and there engaged in landing par 
 ties, camping, and sham battles. On another occasion 
 the battalion embarked on board the battleships "Massa 
 chusetts " and Texas, " each militiaman having a regular 
 bluejacket for a running mate, and doing just as he did. 
 The two ships cruised in the vicinity of Fisher s Island, 
 and a programme was carried out which included in- 
 299
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 struction in the different parts of the ship in great guns 
 and ordnance, such drills as abandon ship, arm and away 
 boats, clear ship for action, general quarters, signalling, 
 and in the use of torpedoes. 
 
 During one of the cruises of the Massachusetts Naval 
 Brigade a detachment was engaged in locating signal 
 stations on the coast from the New Hampshire State 
 line to Cape Ann, and it was due to the efforts of this 
 detachment that the signal stations established during 
 the late war proved so efficient. 
 
 The Naval Militia of Maryland, Louisiana, Illinois, and 
 other States were given opportunities for instruction in 
 the handling of guns, the care of wounded, in infantry 
 drill, limited artillery practice with rapid-fire batteries, 
 and all the details of naval life, and so well did they 
 benefit by it that the authorities at Washington an 
 nounced a willingness to trust any of the warships in 
 their sole charge. 
 
 It was to reach this pinnacle, as it may be termed, that 
 the Naval Militia organizations of the United States had 
 striven, and when they were finally called upon by the 
 Government they proved their worth by boarding modern 
 warships, doing the work of regular sailors, and fighting 
 for their country with a degree of skill and zeal that has 
 earned for them the commendation of their fellow-citizens. 
 
 UNITED STATES NAVAL CODE FOR VISUAL 
 SIGNALLING. 
 
 To signal with flag or torch " wigwag " : 
 
 There are but one position and three motions. 
 
 The position is with the flag held vertically in front of 
 
 the body ; the signalman facing squarely the point to 
 
 which the message is to be sent. 
 300
 
 APPENDIX, 
 
 The first or 1 is a motion to the right of the sender. 
 
 The second or 2 is a motion to the left of the sender. 
 
 The third or 3 : the flag is dropped in front of the 
 sender and instantly returned to position. 
 
 The entire code is made up of these three motions 1, 
 2, and 3. Every letter begins and ends with position. 
 
 " WIGWAG " CODE. UNITED STATES NAVAL CODE 
 FOR VISUAL AND TELEGRAPHIC SIGNALLING. 
 
 ALPHABET. 
 
 A 
 
 22 
 
 J 
 
 .1122 
 
 s 
 
 212 
 
 R 
 
 2112 
 
 K 
 
 .2121 
 
 T ... 
 
 2 
 
 c 
 
 121 
 
 L 
 
 ..221 
 
 U 
 
 112 
 
 D 
 
 222 
 
 M 
 
 .1221 
 
 V 
 
 ....1222 
 
 "F, 
 
 12 
 
 N 
 
 ...11 
 
 W... 
 
 ....1121 
 
 F 
 
 2221 
 
 O ... 
 
 .21 
 
 x 
 
 2122 
 
 G 
 
 2211 
 
 p 
 
 1212 
 
 Y ... 
 
 HI 
 
 H 
 
 122 
 
 Q... 
 
 .1211 
 
 Z.... 
 
 ,...2222 
 
 T 
 
 1 
 
 R 
 
 ..211 
 
 
 
 
 
 NUMERALS. 
 
 1 
 
 
 ...1111 
 
 2 
 
 
 .2222 
 
 R 
 
 
 ...1112 
 
 4 
 
 
 2221 
 
 5 
 
 
 ...1122 
 
 6. 
 
 
 .2211 
 
 7 
 
 
 ...1222 
 
 8 ... . 
 
 
 . .2111 
 
 9 
 
 
 ..1221 
 
 
 
 
 2112 
 
 ABBREVIATIONS. 
 
 
 a.. , 
 
 , after. 
 
 n 
 
 . .not. 
 
 ur. ., 
 
 ...your. 
 
 b.. 
 
 before. 
 
 r 
 
 ..are. 
 
 w. . . 
 
 . ..word. 
 
 C. . . 
 
 can. 
 
 t 
 
 , . the. 
 
 wi. . 
 
 , . . with . 
 
 h 
 
 , ..have. 
 
 u... 
 
 ..YOU. 
 
 v.. . 
 
 . ..whv. 
 
 x x 3 = " numerals follow " or " numerals end." 
 sig. 3 = signature. 
 3 = End of word. 
 33 = End of sentence. 
 333 = End of message. 
 22, 22, 3 = I understand. 
 
 301
 
 A. GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 The complete number opposite each letter or numeral 
 stands for that letter or numeral. 
 
 Example : The signal sent by Commodore Schley s 
 flagship " Brooklyn " that memorable 3d of July 
 
 THE S3 IN" E3 M Y S FLKET 
 
 2, 122, 12 3 12, 11, 12, 1221, 111, 212 3 2221, 221, 12, 12, 2, 3 
 
 L, RLL, RL D RL, RR, IlL, RLLR,RRR, 1,111. D LLLB, I.I.H, III,, III,, I., D 
 
 IS COMING- OUT OB 1 
 
 I, 212 3 121, 21, 1221, 1, 11, 2211 3 21, 112, 2 3 21, 2221 
 
 II, I,HL D RI,R, LR, RLLR, R, BR, LLRR D 1,11, RRL, I, D Lll, LLLR 
 
 H A. R B OR. 
 
 122, 22, 211, 2112, 21, 211, 333. 
 
 11LL, LL, LRR, LRRL, LR, LRR, DDD. 
 
 B = Right = 1. L = Left = 2. D = Drop = 3. 
 
 NIGHT SIGNALLING. 
 
 The lights in the Ardois system named after its 
 inventor sometimes called "shroud lights," are placed 
 well up on the foremast. They are red and white electric 
 bulbs. There are four of each placed in a line one above 
 the other, in groups of two a red and white bulb to 
 gether. Unlike the " wigwag " system, the whole letter 
 is shown at once. 
 
 The code is the same as the "wigwag." One is indi 
 cated by a red light, two by white, and three by the com 
 bination, white, white, red and white. 
 
 Both systems may be mastered very easily by a little 
 painstaking practice, and much amusement may be had 
 through the mystification of those who do not under 
 stand it. A "wigwag" flag may be easily made by 
 sewing a white square of muslin in the centre of a 
 red bandana handkerchief. 
 
 The best method of learning this system is to send 
 simple messages, looking up the letters that there is any 
 doubt about, and correcting mistakes as you go along. 
 302
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 NAVY CODE FLAGS. 
 
 Messages sent by the navy code flags cannot be read 
 except by the aid of the code book. There ,are ten 
 numeral flags 1 to 9, and one for 0. All messages 
 are made up by means of these ten flags headed by 
 the code flag (whether it be geographical, telegraph, 
 or navy list). 
 
 For instance, a line of bunting is sent up on the flag 
 ship s signal halliards. It is read from the top down. 
 The geographical flag flies first ; then follow 7, 6, 3, 8. 
 It means that the message can be found in the geo 
 graphical list, number 7638. 
 
 The repeaters are used to avoid confusion. Instead 
 of putting two number 1 flags together, for instance, 
 number 1 is flown with a repeater under it ; second 
 repeater repeats number 2, and so on. 
 
 PREPARATORY. Over hoist. Prepare to execute sub 
 joined order. 
 
 INTERROGATION. Alone. What is that signal? or "I 
 don t understand repeat." Above hoist puts sig 
 nal in interrogative sense. 
 
 ANSWERING. Flown by ship receiving message indi 
 cates that signal is understood. 
 
 AFFIRMATIVE. Alone. Yes. Above hoist puts message 
 in affirmative or permissive sense. 
 
 NEGATIVE. Alone. No. Above hoist puts message in 
 negative sense. 
 
 MEAL or NUMERAL. Alone. Crew at mess. Above or 
 below hoist the numeral flags are to be taken as 
 numbers simply. 
 
 CONVOY. Alone at fore, means naval convoy. Above 
 hoist means use navy list. 
 303
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 POSITION. In manoeuvres, hoisted by each ship as it 
 
 gets into position ordered ; lowered when next ship 
 
 gets into place. 
 GUARD or GUIDE. As its name implies flown by guard 
 
 or guide ship. 
 
 TELEGRAPH. Use telegraph list. 
 DESPATCH or GEOGRAPHICAL,. Alone at fore, indicates 
 
 that the ship flying it is carrying despatches. 
 
 Above hoist. Use geographical list. 
 CORNET. Alone. Ship about to sail. Over number. 
 
 Official number of ship. 
 GENERAL RECALL. Recalls all small boats. 
 POWDER. Hoisted alone in port. Taking powder on 
 
 board. Alone at sea. Distress. 
 
 RATING MARKS IN THE UNITED STATES 
 NAVY. 
 
 THE INSIGNIA OP RANK OF COMMISSIONED, WARRANT, 
 AND PETTY OFFICERS. 
 
 There are four classes of officers in the United States 
 navy, and each has its own distinguishing mark. 
 
 The commissioned officers of the line. 
 
 The commissioned corps. 
 
 The warrant officers. 
 
 The petty officers. 
 
 The first two classes are graduates of Annapolis, or 
 regularly commissioned by the Government. The last 
 two are composed of enlisted men who have been 
 promoted. 
 
 The rank device of the commissioned officers is worn 
 on the shoulder-knot of the full dress uniform and on 
 the collar of the service coat. 
 304
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 The marks are as follows : 
 
 REAR-ADMIRAL. 
 
 Foul anchor with silver stars at 
 ends ; and one stripe of gold lace 
 two inches wide, and one of one- 
 half inch wide above it, on sleeves. 
 
 COMMODORE. 
 
 A star with a foul anchor at 
 either side of it ; and one stripe 
 of gold lace two inches wide on 
 sleeves. 
 
 CAPTAIN. 
 
 A spread eagle with foul anchor 
 at either side. Four one-half-inch 
 stripes of gold lace on sleeves. 
 
 COMMANDER. 
 
 Foul anchor with silver oak leaves 
 at ends. Three stripes of half -inch 
 gold lace on sleeves. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER. A silver foul anchor with 
 a silver oak leaf at either end. Two stripes of half- 
 inch gold lace with a quarter-inch stripe between. 
 
 LIEUTENANT. 
 
 Silver foul anchor with two sil 
 ver bars at either side. Two stripes 
 
 LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE. 
 
 Silver foul anchor with one silver 
 bar at either side. Two stripes 
 
 of gold lace one-half inch wide on of gold lace, half and quarter-inch, 
 
 sleeves. 
 
 on sleeves. 
 
 ENSIGN. 
 
 A gold foul anchor on collar or 
 shoulder-knot and one stripe of 
 gold lace on sleeves. 
 
 20 
 
 305
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE. 
 
 THE COMMISSIONED CORPS. 
 
 The commissioned corps devices are substituted for the 
 anchor by staff officers, -who wear the same rank devices 
 as are prescribed for line officers with whom they have 
 relative rank. 
 THE PAY CORPS. A silver oak sprig and a narrow band 
 
 of white cloth above and below the gold lace on 
 
 sleeves. 
 THE MEDICAL CORPS. A spread oak leaf of gold with 
 
 an acorn of silver, and a band of dark maroon velvet 
 
 above and below the gold lace on sleeves. 
 THE ENGINEER CORPS. Four silver oak leaves, and a 
 
 band of red cloth above and below the gold lace 
 
 on sleeves. 
 
 PETTY OFFICERS RATING MARKS. 
 
 AJ1 petty officers wear a rating device on the sleeve 
 of the outer garment above 
 the elbow. If they belong 
 to the starboard watch the 
 mark will be sewed on the 
 right sleeve ; if the port, 
 on the left. 
 
 The petty officers device 
 always has a spread eagle 
 above it. The specialty 
 mark indicating to which 
 department he belongs is 
 just below in the angle 
 formed by the chevrons. 
 The chevrons indicate the 
 class. Three chevrons, first 
 class ; two, second class, 
 and so on. The chief petty 
 306 
 
 QUARTERMASTER.
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 officers have an arch of the same cloth connecting the 
 two ends of the top chevron. 
 
 The specialty marks are as follows : 
 
 SEAMAN GUN- CHIEF YEO- 
 NER. MAN. 
 
 APOTHECARY. YEOMAN 1ST, SHIP S PRINTER BANDMAS- 
 2D, AND 3D OR SCHOOL- TER. 
 
 CLASS. MASTER. 
 
 MACHINISTS, CARPENTER S BLACKSMITH. BOATSWAIN S 
 BOILER-MAKERS, MATES, MATES AND 
 
 WATER-TEN- PLUMBERS, COXSWAINS. 
 
 DERS, COPPER- AND PAINT- 
 SMITHS, AND ERS. 
 
 OILERS. 
 
 The seaman class is indicated by the rows of braid on 
 the cuffs. 
 
 Seamen, first class or able-bodied seamen, have three 
 rows of braid. 
 
 Seamen, second class or ordinary seamen, have two 
 rows of braid. 
 
 307
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 Seamen, third class or landsmen, have one row of 
 braid. 
 
 The watch mark for the enlisted men not petty offi 
 cers consists of a stripe of braid on the sleeve close to 
 the shoulder. For the seaman, white on blue clothes, 
 blue on white clothes. 
 
 For the engineer force, red on both white and blue 
 clothes. 
 
 The watch mark indicates the watch of which the 
 wearer is a member. The starboard men wear it on the 
 right arm, and the port men on the left. 
 
 TAKING SOUNDINGS. 
 
 HEAVING THE LEAD. 
 
 The man using the " lead line " (as the sounding- 
 line weighted with lead is called) stands on a grating 
 that projects over the side. This is placed near enough 
 so that the steersman can hear the man who " heaves 
 the lead " when he calls out the number of fathoms of 
 water. This he tells by the marks on the " lead line " 
 as follows : 
 
 2 fathoms, twelve feet, 2 strips of leather. 
 
 3 " 3 strips of leather. 
 5 " white rag. 
 
 7 " red rag. 
 
 10 " leather with hole in it. 
 
 13 " 3 strips of leather or blue rag. 
 
 15 " white rag. 
 
 17 " red rag. 
 
 20 " 2 knots. 
 
 25 " 1 knot. 
 
 30 " 3 knots. 
 
 35 " 1 knot. 
 
 40 " 4 knots. 
 
 9 " are called mark. 
 
 11 " " " deeps. 
 
 308
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 The leadsman stands on his little grating and swings 
 the lead so it just clears the water. When it is swinging 
 well he lets it fly in the direction in which the ship is 
 moving and then notes the depth by the strips of leather 
 or rags. The result is shouted out so the steersman can 
 hear and keep the vessel in the channel. 
 
 THE BOATSWAIN S CALLS. 
 
 The boatswain s calls or " pipes " are very difficult to 
 reduce to a musical scale, because the pitch of the instru 
 ment depends entirely on the amount of energy expended 
 by the blower. The novice, after a few trials, would 
 probably assert that the primitive little whistle had only 
 one note and not very much of that ; but he would be 
 surprised indeed at the volume of sound, the range, and 
 the command over the instrument which a veteran boat 
 swain would soon make everyday matter to him. Not 
 only do these experts sound the regular calls with ear- 
 piercing exactness, but actual tunes are often included 
 in their repertoire. 
 
 The pipe or whistle is held with the bulb in the centre 
 of the palm, the hole being towards the wrist. The lobe 
 to which the ring and lanyard are attached, serves simply 
 as a handle. 
 
 In the diagram given, the black line indicates the 
 "pipe " or call ; the four faint horizontal lines, the notes, 
 and the vertical bars, the time. 
 
 The roll indicated by the wavy line in the diagram is 
 309
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 made by rapidly opening and closing the hand. The 
 gradual rise and fall is effected in the same way, but 
 slowly. The rattle is done by a quick movement of the 
 tongue. 
 
 This diagram is furnished by an old boatswain. As a 
 rule, the calls are taught entirely by personal instruction, 
 and it is believed that they have here been put into print 
 for the first time. None of the ordinary manuals have 
 ever given them, the young sailor having had to learn 
 them by experience on shipboard. 
 
 Their importance is evident from the fact that every 
 order aboard ship is preceded by the pipe peculiar to the 
 command ; for thougli the words may not be heard, the 
 whistle can always be distinguished. Even the most 
 lubberly landsman, with such continuous practice, soon 
 learns the meaning of the different calls, and jumps to 
 obey them. 
 
 810
 
 INDICATES A ROLL . 
 A/WW " " RATTLE . 
 
 EACH BAR EQUALS 
 
 ONE SECONDS TIME . 
 
 BREAKFAST DINNER. OR. SUPPER. CALL 
 
 BOATS &. DIVISION TO QUARTERS. SWEEPERS 
 
 MM 
 
 z_ 
 
 2 SIDE BOYS. A- SIDE BOYS 
 
 PIPE DOWN HAMMOCKS 
 
 CALL ALL HANDS 
 
 MAUL AWAY 
 
 PIPE DOWN 
 
 PIPE SIDES 
 
 UP HAMMOCKS 
 
 UNCOVER. HAMMOCKS
 
 A GUNNER ABOARD THE "YANKEE." 
 
 STATIONS OR QUAR- 
 CISE, OR PRE- 
 OF FIVE-INCH 
 RIFLES. 
 
 TERS FOR EXER- 
 CEDING ACTION, 
 BREECHLOADING 
 
 1. First Captain, 
 
 2. Second Captain, 
 
 3. First Loader, 
 
 4. Second Loader, 
 
 5. First Shellman, 
 
 6. Second Shellman, 
 
 7. First Shellman, 
 
 8. Second Shellman, 
 
 Second Boarder. 
 First Boarder. 
 Second Boarder. 
 First Boarder. 
 Pumpman, Port guard. 
 Fireman, Port guard. 
 Second Rifleman . 
 First Rifleman. 
 
 1. Stands at elevating gear wheel and sights and fires the gun. 
 
 2. Stands at the right and beside the breech ; opens same after firing so 
 shell can be taken out. 
 
 3. Stands at the left training wheel i.e., the wheel that moves the gun 
 laterally. He also loads the gun. 
 
 4. Stands at the right training wheel. He takes out the empty shell 
 after firing, and wears heavy gloves for that purpose. 
 
 5 and 6. Stand just behind No. 2 to the right of the gun. They 
 may be termed emergency men. They assist with the shells, carry the 
 wounded, if any ; will be called away in case of fire, and are qualified to 
 sight and fire the gun in case the first and second captains are wounded 
 or killed. They provide revolvers and belts for Noe. 1, 2, and 3, and 
 belts for Nos. 5, 6. 7, and 8. They are also port guards, and defend the 
 ports in case of close action. 
 
 7 and 8. Carry shells from the ammunition hoist to a position amid 
 ships convenient for quick transport to the gun. They are also riflemen, 
 and may be called to protect any part of the ship from boarders or from 
 fire on shore. 
 
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 UCSB LIBRARY