Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1859-10-07
The U. S. Sloop-of-War Cum
berland.


berland.
The Commercial Bulletin of last week
states that this national vessel. during a
recent cruise of twcnty-seven months on
the coast of Africa, lost but two men,
and cites this fact as showing a very sat
isfactory state OF discipline. The BMl-
etin then narrates the following incident,
which conveys we'll merited tribute to
noble commander, AID shows that the
law of kindness, wisely administered,
will produce its henefcent results on
shipbt ard as we'll as on shore.
"When the Cumberland was a frigate,
under Commodore Smith, her crew was
the wonder Of the Mediterranean. All
hands, numbering 500, signed the tenn
perancc pledge; and after the first few
months, punishment was unknown on
board of her. Shortly after leaving
port. the Commodore announced that he
would punish any man who was heard
swearing, or using profane language
The first delinquent was an old quarter
master, who was caught easing his mind
Of some double and twisted imprecations
against every thing an inch high, and an
hour old. The Commodore compelled
him to m unit the capsian on the quar-
ter deck, and then placing dictionary
in his hands, said that he should remain
there until he found word which would
express the meaning of good round
OATH Thus elevated, Old Jack became
the laughing stock of the officers and
crew. Slow y he turned the leaves, oc-
casicnally raising his eyes only to meet
those of his shipmates, who were survey
ing him from every part of the ship, and
then half savascly. half humorously, he
pursued his Investigations. he had
reached the letter Il. without success, and
began to look blue, when a happy dis
covcry dispelcl the impending gloom -
he had found the word.
live got it, sir. said he addressing
the officer of the watch-"hcrc's the
word"
Tnc Commodore was informed Of the
discovery by the officer, and ordered the
hands to be turned up, that all might be
enlightencl. Jack mounted on the cap
stan, bare headed, and book in hand,
surrounded by five hundred men, pro-
claimed that the word Reconcile, ="
meant "a good round oath y
81 hope" said the Commodore, in his
usually quiet way without exhibiting the
least feeling, "that all hands hereafter
will reconcile themselves to obey my or
ders. Go to your duty. sir. Pipe down
tho watch :"
Old Jack dismounted and went for
ward, wnerc he was saluted by new
name. From that day forward, he was
named "Old Reconcile y and the sail
ors, whenever they ha! occasion to ex-
press themselves strongly, invariably
used the word "reconcile.' Thus. if
one trod on another's toes, the injured
party would reconcile the offenders
ewes with as much feeling as if he had
damned them. In short, swearing and
protane language were laughed out OF the
ship.
When her crow were paid OFT, they
walked in procession from Charlestown
Navy Yard to the United States Hotel,
to give their beloved Commodore part
ing salutation, and worthy was he OF It,
for a rohler officer never trod quarter
deck. Here was a man, who had the
power 10 fog-for fogsing was not then
abolished by law-who elevated to the
most perfect state of discipline ever
known in the navy, five hundred men,
without the aid Of the cat or the colt.
Not onl i; in their moral condition were
they superior to the crews Of all other
ships in the Mediterranean, but In the
discharge OF their duty as seamen they
were never matched by the crews of any
ships, English, French. Russian or Amer
ican. with whom they exercised. Their
condition verified the sailors adage-
tina. "a good captain makes good
crew.