Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1881-07-30
Farragut's Fight.

"Hnppily for tho fleet and for the
country, there was one man in command
that day equal to the emcrgcncy--n man
whose eagle eye grnspcd every detail of
the fight, while no possessed tho skill To
direct and tho nerve and ability to execute.
There was no time for doubt or delay.
Had he hcsitated, the fortune of the day
must have been against us. Tho Admiral
was standing in the futtock shrouds, under
the main-top-a position above the smoke,
from which no could take in the whole
situation, and could communicate with the
pilot in the main.top, and with the feet
Captain and executive officer on the deck
beneath. For several years there has been
discussion in tho papers and magazines
of the country ms to the Admirals being
dashed to the rigging. The writer has
no light to throw on tho subject. Far
ragut was standing in tho shrouds, as dc.
scribed, when the writer went on deck,
and he remained there until tho Xauford
had passed beyond the range of the fort !;
but there were not more than two or
three persons on board who knew any,
thing about his being fastened in place.
The first heard of it in the feet was some
three or four weeks after the fight, when
the New York papers were received. Vari-
Gus rumors have been circulated as to the
fact, one of which was that the Admiral
took ropes end with him when he went
nloft, and secured it so as to prevent his
falling on deck in case of accident. This
is the story which was current on ship
board at that time and was generally be-
levcd Since tho incident has been under
discussion in the papers tho real facts
in the case have been made known, and
will stand in history on the unquestioned
authority of Fleet.Captain Drayton and of
the Admiral's staff. This is to the effect
that Captain Drayton, seeing the Admiral
III the rigging, and fearing he might be
killed by q fall on deck in case he were
wounded, ordered an old quartermaster
to take ropes end and secure it around
him, so that he would be prevented from
falling. The writer is disposed to believe
that the Admiral was so absorbed in
watching the fight that no did not know
at tho moment the precautions taken for
his safety by his Flee,-Captain. But what
ever doubt may attach to this particular
incdcnt-of which SO much has since
been made, while SO little was thought of it
at the time-there is no chance for doubt
ms to the Admirals action. Finding that
the Brooklyn did not start ahead, he
hurriedly inquired of pilot Freeman, in
the main.top, if there was depth enough
for the Hartford to pass to the left of the
vessels in front. Receiving an Affirmative
reply, he said, l will take the lead, and
Immediately ordered the ship ahead fast.
son board war steamer the engines are
directed by the tap of bell, the wires con-
nected with which lead to the quarter. deck.
One stroke of the bell means go ahead;
two; stop; three, back; and four, go
ahead as fast us possible Leaning down
through the shrouds to the officer on deck
at the bell-pull, the Admiral shouted, four
bells, eight bells, SIXTEEN BELLS Give her
all the steam you've got. The order war
instantly transmitted, and the old ship
seemed imbued with the Admiral's spirit
and, running past the Brookiyn and the
monitors, regardless of fort, ram, gun
boats, and the unseen foe beneath, dashed
ahead, all alone, save for her gallant con.
sort, the Metacomet. q. Kinney, in
,ScriJner for J,O,e.