Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-12-09
THE ADMIRALS GIG.
ILLUSTRATING A sINGuLARLY MIXED UP
STATE OF AFFAIRS AT A NAVY YARD.

ILLUSTRATING A sINGuLARLY MIXED UP
STATE OF AFFAIRS AT A NAVY YARD.
A vivacious correspondent Of the
Cincinnati Gazette tells story con
nected with an attempted reception Of
Secretary Robson at the Portsmouth
On. H.) Navy Yard year ago, which
he says was current at Rye Beach the
past summer.
The secretary, who has apartments
each season in one Of the cottages at
Rye, had sent word TO the admiral
commanding the yard that he would
visit Portsmouth ON certain day and
inspect the station. Great prepara-
tions were made TO receive him. When
the time for his arrival drew near, the
admiral with all his officers in full uni
form, four companies Of marines, and
the band, stood ON the wharf ready to
greet the head of all our marine forces,
while the crew of national fiigate
stood to their guns all ready to utter a
little thunder in the Secretary's behalf.
There were two ways for the secre-
tary to reach the yard from Ports
mouth. He could cross the river by
boat or drive around by the bridge
The boat-landing at the yard and the
entrance from the carriage-way are
upon opposite sides of the grounds, and
quite concealed one from the other.
The admiral, wishing to show all
possible attention to the secretary, sent
over to the Portsmouth side, first his
gig gayly decorated and manned with
eight expert oarsmcn, a steam-launch,
in case he should prefer to cross in
that; and, lastly, his scarriage and horses
to convey the party around by the
bridge, should they desire to go that
way. A messenger was in waiting to
ascertain which of these modes Of con-
veyance the secretary selected, and to
cross in advance and give the admiral
notice, so that if the secretary chose
the carriage, the officers and marines
might be marched over to the gate to
receive him. OF the secrctary's party
was Master ---, who was always
prominent on occasions Of this kind.
When theparty arrived at the Ports
mouth wharf an officer explained to
the secretary that several modes Of
conveyance awaited his choice. lie
could be rowed across in the admiraPs
gig, or take the steam-launch, or drive
around with the carriage. Master
listened intently while the secretary
was consulting the members Of the
party and making up his mind.
AT length Mr.. Robcson informed the
officer in waiting that he would 60
over in the gig Master -, hearing
this, concluded that he would jump on
the fcrry.boat which was just pushing
off, and be the first to inform the ad
miral of the secretary's intention.
The ferry-boat passed the officers
boat on the same errand, and arrived
at the dock far in advance of him.
Unfortunately, Master -, is not .
great sailor, and as q landsman he had
been educated 10 suppose that a gig
was something that went on wheels
and was drawn by horsepower. Sc
the moment the boat reached the whar
he jumped ashore, ran up to the ad
miral, and said, "Thc secretary will
drive around" Then there was hur
rying in hot haste. The marines
started at double-quick for the gate OF
the other side. quite around and behind
the great shin buildings, and wholly
hidden from the river. The admira
and all his officers followed as fast a,
possible, and in three minutes tn,
forces of all kinds and the crowd O.
visitors had passed behind all the build
ings, and the river front of the yard
was left without q sign of life, except
an officer who happened to be off duty
. and opportunely came along a few
minutes after the admiral and hi'
= forces had disappeared. III
Meantime tho secrctary's party. .minul
Master had disposed themselves
in the admirals gig and were beinl
rowed rapidly to the deserted wharf
The stiffness of things seemed unac
countable 10 Mr.. Robeson and the visi
tors he had brought up from Rye t,
}, sec how a Secretary of the Navy wa
j received at yard where there was
full force to do him honor. There wa
no thunder of cannon, rattle of drums
or music of bands. And the secretary
Noticing the absence of the expecte,
concourse of sound, cast his eye alon,
the wharf and around the visible por
lions of the ward and was thunder
struck at the general stiffness and des
, olation, His wonder grew as the gil
pulled up at the wharf, and no humai
being appeared to greet him, or evel