Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-14
NOT HI. "A. y. PINAFORE.
A Strange Occurrence on Board the
United States Steamer Hartford
in the SGRth Atlantfc-A
Case for Congress to
Investigate.

A private letter from Montevideo, Uru-
quay, January 7th, says: Our captain, w.
h. Mayo, was sent home by the admiral the
other day because ne went into his 1.-THE ad-
mirals) cabin one night and ordered him and
the executive officer and two or three others
to stop gambling. The old admiral was very
mad and ordered the captain out of the
cabin. The capt ain went, but told the party
that he was captain of the ship, and that he
would not allow gambling aboard her. The
admiral then ordered him to pack up his bag
gage and leave the ship, which be at once
proceeded to do. Captain Mayo was just
man and good man for his ships company,
but terror to his officers. Before he came
to the ship last June we were in a perfect up
roar all the time. Everybody was dissatis-
fed and continually growing. Harrington,
the executive officer, was executive, captain
and admiral all at once. The admiral is
what the men call a spare pump for
he allows Harrington to do what
ever he chooses. But after Mayo took charge
there was a great change. Harrington had
no longer his way; he reformed every depart
ment IN the ship. The officers got jwn on
him directly, and began to plot TO get him
out IF the ship. They worked around the
admiral and accomp lished their purpose.
Ali hands were called to muster last Sunday,
and Captain Mayo read his decree from the
admiral ordering him home. When he had
then, as if with great effort, took off his cap
and said: 'Shipmates. goodbye He then
turned around TO the officers, and, with
cool nod, said: Gentlemen, good bye Just
at this time m 7ss gear for supper was spread,
but no one went below. The ships compa-
pany began to cOngregate on the starboard
gangway, over which the captain had to pass.
| was standing near the mast. | heard Mr..
Harrington tell the officer of the deck to call
the sergeant of the guard and tell him to
dispense the crew. He also stationed Md
shpmen among the sailors, and told them IN
a whisper to allow no cheering or public
demonstration of any kind. Supper was
piped, and still no one left the spar deck.
Captain Mayo shook hands with Lieutenant
Hyde, his only friend, and walked to-
ward the gangway, accompanied by Har-
rington and the officer of the deck. The cap
tain saw that something was wrong, and as
he stepped in the Eangway he turned to the
men and quietly placed his hand over his
mouth, as much as TO say, No cheering,
men, Just at this nue. some one IN deep
voice started, Hip, hip, hip, sand then there
followed three as loud cheers as you ever
heard. HarrIng ton, better known as Black
Jac5,' was wild. He rushed into the crowd
crying, Stop it; Cd d-n you' but no one
stopped. As soon as the cheerinl was over
some one proposed a tiger, and the cheers
were repeated. The crowd dispersed and
w ggsaffsd to WIEN SpnNfifb The sbT boafswa ca
sounded, calling all hands to muster. Har-
riLgton was On the quarter deck with the
Blue Book in his hand. He was too excited
to speak tor some time, but as soon as be
cooled down little he demanded 10 know
the meaning las If he didn't know of the
cheering, and said: Is there no one who
can tell me what you were cheering for?'
Jacob Smith. an old seaman, spoke: 4
cheered, and can tell you what | cbeered
for Step out here, you spokesman, you
sea lawyer, said Harrington; what
have you to say for yourself?' well,
sir, l have known Captain Mayo for a
long time; know HIM to be a just man and
gentleman. | have the greatest respect for
him, and know of no better way in which TO
show it than by cheering, which | did as loud
as | could, sir Mr. Harrington read
the Blue Book, showing that cheering was
positively prohibited by the rules and regula-
lions of the navy, unless author zad 10y the
officer of the deck. He said it was an insult
to Captain Mayo or else to the admiral who
had ordered him home, and in a lesser de-
gree an insult to himself as commander of
the ship. He further said that the ships
company was in a state of characterization
and mutiny, and that he demanded an apol-
ogy from the petty officers, TO be handed in
the next day. 1t has been three months
since we had liberty, and we have had but
one general liberty since we left home, eight
cen months ago. We have been here about
two weeks, and have been working like good
fellows cleaning ship. Mr.. Harm gton prom
lsed us general liberty and plenty Of money
as soon as that work was done. To-day he
started liberty, and the petty officers asked
for money. Lieutenant Commander Har-
rington said something about the cheering
the other day, and refused US the money"