Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1873-01-07
Letter from Mid Ocean Life on
Government Cruiser -Drill-
es Storms.

U. y. sfKaxn oHAEA, At Sea- Oct. 18th 1879.
DEAR HERALD ACCORDING to
promise, | will this evening, before
lights are put out, begin this letter
10 you, which will be closed and
mailed after reaching Madeira Is
lands. Funchal being our present des-
tination. Some Sine has passed since
left Lancaster, thinking then to be
at sea shortly after. Bat on arriving
at Philadelphia, this steamer was
found TO be far from ready for us,
aud We were allowed leave of ab.
sence. FioalIy, on Sept. 18th the
Omaha went into commission and
we were kept hard at work at the
Navy Yard, getting all our provi-
sions, stores, and gear of different de-
partments, the battery, ammunition,
etc, Oh board. learning aud practic-
ing in our various stations, and In
fact doing 80 much that three weeks
were spent n preparation for the
| voyage.
Oct. 7th we sailed ont of PhiladeI-
phia and down to Fl. M,ffiin, where
we took in powder and she'll. Two
days after, we steamed out of the
Delaware and put to sea, bound for
Valparaiso, by way of Funchal and
Rio Jsneiro. "Hauling" the fires or
putting them out, sail was made, and
now we are nine days out The frat
three days we had a good steady
top gallant breeze, aod made a good
| run.
In tho 18th gale came down us,
and very heavy one it proved be-
fore we were through with it, 1t
came on during the mid watch and
by 6 bells (7 q. IN the sea was run
ming very high and we were rolling
fearfully. La the night all handr
were turned out and close reefs la
ken, IN expectation of a severe gale
All that day all hands were kept on
deck, sending down yards, masts,
braces, etc, setting storm-sails, and
doing things necessary under such
circumstances. All the matches were
battened down, TO prevent the seas
that broke over us from getting be-
low.
You can have some idea of the
waves, when l tell you that some of
the rolls we made measured an arc
of 80 degrees. As to leeward and 35
TO windward. 1t was almost impos-
sible TO keep ones footing.
This lasted 25 hours; since then we
have been having calm AS it Is
contrary to regulations for Govern
ment vessel 10 steam at sea in
time Of peace. we are loafing it right
here, making no motion except drift
ing with the Gulf Stream.
Oct. oath. For week we have
been rolling around here in the Gulf
Stream, making very little Roadway
head winds and gales all the time
Since writing, we had three days
gale. We are about 400 miles east
of Fayal The monotony of this last
weeks rolling begins to wear on me,
but the time Is iully taken up. The
routine of ship life is one continual
drill or exercise. Fire-quarters. gen.
eral quarters, and exercise with boats.
To give some idea Of the rapidity in
which we prepare for fire the other
night toe fre-aIarm was unexpected
lily rGng, ard 10 forty seconds tour
streams of water were on the fire. be
aide the bucket division, and fice-ex-
tingushers. Every one has his sta
ton, so there is no excuse for confu-
sion.
| Nov. 7th. Since writing two
weeks ago, we have been slowly mo.
wing towards Madeira, vainIy at
tempting to make q good passage
against head winds. We are now
200 miles west of our destination, and
are all anxious TO get in, mainly TO re
ceive our letters. 1t will be q most
bitter disappointment if we miss the
steamer and fail to get our mail.
Hooking forward to that is the hap
piest anticipation we have at sea
One other anticipation forms quite
mainstay TO our existence, and that
is the hope of fresh prov is!ons and
fruit, that people on the shore can
get so readily.
Our provisions are running low,
bat not so our spirits. Naval offic-
ers make the best of everything as it
comes, and though there is a good
deal of good natured growing, every
thing jogs along right jolly. We've
been having great deal of drill
Had clearing ship for action every
day for q week, until we could do l.
in 81 minutes; that would be fore
Moons drill. Then in the afternoon
We have howitzer, infantry, broad
sword, or fire-qusrters.
You doubtless will be bored by this
dry letter, but if so you must pardon
it, as not having been in port yet,
can find very little to tell you out
side of our professional life: My
next m y DO more interesting, as /
will write from Rio. With regards
TO those who have not forgotten me,
J ALLEN BARBER, JR.