The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-04-14
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40 8 g 5 yssT C C % u IS
THIRTY TWO POUND SHOT.
BY MAIN BRACE.

BY MAIN BRACE.
The affair which occurred in. the harbor of
Toulon in the spring Of 1884, when, in firing a
salute in Honor of the French kings birthday,
some shot from the United States frigate United
States, struck the French Admirals ship, and
killed one or two rden-made some noise at the
timc-but now is scarcely remembered Except
as one of those accidents which often occur id
naval experience, and which the strictest disci-
pline and the most cautious vigilance may not
always prevent. The first lieutenant is consd-
cred responsible for the discipline Of the ship
but much of that responsibility must be- if we
may SO express it, merely technical; there are
many minute details, in references to which the
most vigiant and competent officers must rely
upon subordinates who may not always be trust
worthy and slight neglect in the details may
and produce events as serious as that which oc-
Cured at Toulon 1t was the loss of life, and
not the unfrequency of the enormity of the ac-
cident at Toulon, that gave it an air of national
than once before, as well in our as in the naval
service of other countries, without exciting re-
marks beyond the spot where it happened -
These remarks lead me to relate an anecdote
communicated by naval officer detailing an In
cident which belongs to this class of naval casu-
allies; and which might have had as tragicala
termination as that at Toulon, but terminating
differently, may now serve to excite a smile or
amuse passing hour. A
The scene is laid in the harbor Of Smyrna.
The United States sloap ofwar Ontario, returned
from cruise in the Archipelago, put into Smyr-
ma, in the month of February 1881, on the eve
of Westinghouse birthday. The Ontario drop
ped anchor in the spacious harbor, outside of the
immense feet Of shipping which is always to be
found in that great eastern mart. In the dis
lance was to be seen the city, its port enlivened
by merchant vessels of almost every nation, and
between them and the Ontario, number of Brit
ish, French, and Dutch ships of war
On the morning of the 22d, the gallant sloop
was dressed out with flags flying from every
masthead, in honor Of the Father Of his Coun-
try; and Captain s. went ashore to transact
business with the American consul, Mr. Of1ey
leaving orders for the customary observances of
the day The first lieutenant accordingly di-
rected that preparations should be made for the
birthday salute by drawing the shot from the
guns. In executing this service, the routine is
to draw the shot and lay it alongside of the gun;
SO that the officer, in passing along to see that
the duty has been performed, observing the shot
is satisfied of the fact On this occasion it hap
pened that the cabin guns were first drawn, and
to avoid numbering the cabin, were directed to be
carried away One of these shot, it seems, from
carelessness or hurry, was laid alongside of one
Of the guns in the waist before the gun had been
drawn; and to this slight circumstance were
owing the tmischanges of the day.
While the salute was firing, the attention of
the first lieutenant was attracted by the report of
one of the guns, and he Immediately called out
"Gunner-that gun had shot in it?n
j" No sir" the gunner replied, "there is the
shot alongside of the gun. ~
mo matter for that" said the lieutenant, II
am satisfied from the sound, that the gun was
shotted
!" / do not think SO, sir, /" rejoined the gunner,
but at any rate the guns are so depressed that
the shot could do no harm.n
The guns had been depressed to prevent dam
age to the neighboring shipping, from the wad-
ding.
The saute was fired and +ha fret lieutenant
had gone below leaving the second lieutenant in
charge Of the. deck. While the officer was pac-
ing the deck, unconscious Of impending evil, he
observed a boat puttingsof from a Dutch gun
brig, their nearest neighbor, and steering for the
Ontario. She was soon alongside, and Dutch
lieutenant stepped upon the deck with strong
symptoms of CONSERVATION in his demeansr.
Mein Got, sir,v was the 6rst Sanitation, you