Daily Republican., 1881-07-13
AN INTERESTING LETTER.
A Wilmington Mariner On BOARD
a War ship Heard From.
snanInl lI,orrnannndanca of the Rennhlicnn.

special correspondence vi Ihe nepuplicah.
NEWPORT, X. L., July 10th, 1881.
Since writing my last letter we have
been away from here going up within
q short distance of Providence. We
hove up anchor on Monday, June 9th,
at As y. m.-made sail to royals, set
starboard top gallant and topmast stern
sails, cast to port and stood up Nara
gansett Bay. The breeze from 5. w.
was very light, but as we glided over
the placid waters and viewed the mag
niticent scenery, it was a delightful
trip. The residents of little Rhody,
must certainly be thrifty people for
the farms are lai! oct so nice, buildings
look to be in fist class condition, in
fact everything seems to be in order, u
great contrast between the looks Of the
place than those that line the banks of
the Potomac, Elizabeth Or York rivers.
We came to anchor in evening OFT Rris-
tol HarbOr, where we lay until Wednes.
day evening, when we made the great
Bostonian resort, Rocky Point. celebra-
ted for its clam bakes. 1t was u rainy,
disagreeable day. with heavy thunder
and vivid lightning, squalls passing
over us from 5. W.. and assure you
there are many more comfortable places
in damp weather than on board Il ship,
where so much sand, and SO much holy
stones are used.
1t is said not to be in the memory of
the Oldest inhabitant when Man ot
War had been up in that locality, so of
course we were visited by almost ali
the people, old and young, and the way
they inspected the appliances used in
war gave all of us the idea that very
few have ever been on board u Man Of
War. Several ladies attempted to pick
up solid shot weighing sixty-four
pounds, but finally let them alone,
thinking, suppose, they would tarnish
their kid gloves. We started again on
Friday, July LIST, and anchored off Paw
tuxet, and here too were visited by II
great many desirOus Of Inspecting tie
ship, &c. 1t was late on Saturday even
ing when we first learned of the at
tempted assassination OF our beloved
President, which news cast Il gloom
over us ALL for scarce a month had
passed since he had visited us, wit
messed our boys drill, had even par
taken of some of our hard tack, and
seemed so pleased with the manner of
drill ing, working Of ship and delneanor
of the crew, that he even had found u
place in the sailors heart, ard to insure
Justice TO his assassin it would have
been an excellent idea to have placed
the miscreant under the charge of the
Portsmouth crew, who believe would
have taken care that he would have rot
ATTEMPTED the like again.
All day Sunday, the steamers going
,p and down were watched, to see if
aay,w ould have their flags half-lsasted,
and all means used to try and find Ont
the condition OF the President. The
fourth opened warm, and the crew were
sent ashore to participate IN grand
parade, but, owing to the diSco'raging
reports of the Presidents state, the
ceremonies were dispensed with-no
salutes fired and t!e ringing OF ueus
even dispensed with, our boys return
ed to the ship at noon, feeling somewhat
grieved over the way things had turned,
for it had come to their ears that hot,
piping dinner had been prepared Tor
them, and to miss such u dellcacy al
most breaks sailors heart. The day
passed very quietly, the whole topic OF
con versation was about the Presl-
dent, and save a few scattering rockets
sent off from the shore, one could scarce
lv realize it was the glorious Fourth
We made preparations for hedging Out
of harpor on the fifth, but the wind being
refreshing, found il impossible and rt-
manned all day. giving visitors another
chance to board MS and all the courtesy
that could be shown to them was done
bv all,and we left them with their good
wishes and strong Invitations to come
back soon again. We arrived here ON
the afternoon of the sixth and anchored
alongside of the U. s. Ship Minnesota
Last Saturday we lost our old Comman-
der. he having detached from ships,
handing ships over to Lieutenant Com
mander w. b. Hotf. The ceremony of
was something new and
novel TO me. We expect Oh Thursday
next to point our bow eastward ana
have another sail or cruise on the brlny
deep and give us another chance to see
the strong, rolling, salt billow. The
weather here has been warm, but nice
and cool in the evenings and after seek
ing your hammock, rest is in store for
all, and the music of the mosquito not
heard to disturb the sleeper. Wishing
this may find all at home in old Will
mingion enjoying good health, and bust
ness brisk | must close this hastv let
ter. A. b. S.