The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-02-15
Preparing for a ea-Fight.

In all naval battles, and especially IN
actions between single ships, it has ever
been held a considerable advantage to OBJ
tain the weather-gage at the commence
ment, and, if possible, to retain it through
out the engagement. Of course this is
by no means SO important where steam
ships of war are engaged, as they can
change their positions at pleasure; but no
ranged battle has, up to this period, oc-
cured between steamers, although it is
highly probable that we shall hear of sew
eral during the present war between Rus
sia and the allied powers. The advan-
tages of securing the weather-gage-that
is, being to windward of the antagonist
are various. 1t enables ship of good
sailing qualities to defer engaging, or to
bear plump down on the enemy at once,
at option. Moreover, if the enemy dis
charge their broadsides at a medium
range, the Memberships side is less ex-
posed, while the leeward-ship's side is
more exposed to shot than would be the
case were they respectively in any other
position; and should they go about Oh
fresh tack, the shot-holes of the former
will be clear of the water, while those of
the latter will possibly prove dangerous
leaks. Again, the windward- ship can
bear up and Take-that is, stand athwart
the bow or stern of her adversary, and
discharge in succession all the broadside-
guns, SO as to sweep the upperdeck from
end to end, or desperately damage the
stern, the weakest portion of a ship. AS
soon as hostile vessels come in sight of
each other, the drum beats to quarters,
and the crew prepare for action. The
tackles of the guns are oyerhauled; the
tompions withdrawn; shot of all descrip-
tons placed ready for use; and the mag
azines opened by the gunner and his crew,
who make ready to serve out cartridges.
The carpenter prepares his plugs for shot
holes and his fishes for wounded spars,
rigs the pumps to prepare for leak, &c
the bull heads arc knocked down, or
triced up to the beams, as the case may
be; the great cabins are unceremoniously
cleared of the officers &C.; and every
deck, fore and aft, is put in fighting order.
The surgeons disposscss the midshipmen
of the cockpit, and the first convivial table
is spread with tourDiquets, forceps, plas-
ters and amputating instruments. all in
sickening array. The boarders have put
on their great iron bound caps, and have
stuck pistols in their b belts, and hold
keen cutlass or a glittering.tomahawk in
hand; the marines are drawn up on quar-
ter-deck and poop, with ball-cartridges
in their boxes; the clews of the sails have
been stoppered; and, lest the ties should
be shot away, the yards are slung in
chains. Many other preparations are
made; and in a properly disciplined ship,
everything is done without confusion, and
in a space of time amazingly short. Ev-
cry man and boy capable of dug is at
his post; and when an action is imminen.,
the tars on the doctors list have frequent
ly been known to drag their languid limbs
from the sick-bay, to give what help they
are able to the fight. The spectacle of a
ship cleared for action, with the crew at
quarters, silent and motionless as their
grim guns, is one of the most impressive
in the world. 1t is at once terrible and
strangely exciting-something never to
forgotten BY whoever has witnessed it
Your blood thrills in every vein, and your
heart throbs heroically as you glance a.
long the tiers of black cannon, each with
its silent crew of stalwart seamen burn
ing for the fray. You know that at 4
single word from the commander of this
warlike world, those silent groups will
start into life and activity, and those
black guns will thunder forth their iron
message of death and destruction; and
knowing and feeling this, you can hardly
keep in the wild hurra of your country
Rely upon it, that every one of the hairy
chested fellows you see at quarters will,
the moment the word to fire is given, join
in cheer shaking the very decks