Morris tribune., 1881-12-29
OUR GREAT NAVEE.
The American Secretaree on II Toar OF In
spection.


spection.
From the New York Graphic.
and is this ship" asked the secretary
Of the marine at the navy-yard Il have
heard Of ships from my youth up, and have
long desired to see one. Pray, do they
float? Which end goes first? Why not
have one stick instead Of three sticking
out Of the deck? Why IS rot that stick
upright like the rest?" asked the secretary
of the navy of the commandment Of the
navy-yard, pointing to the bow-sprit.
That is the bowsprlt," said the COM
mandant. 'Bowsprits never stick up.
They are meek and lowly in all their ways.
What are these holes for?" asked the
secretary, pointing to the open hatchways.
"Why have you made such deep excava-
tons in the vessel?"
The ship is built around these holes,
said the commandment, "but they extend no
further than the water. II they did the
ship would sink"
Were you ever in storm at sea-" asked
the secretary of the commar dant.
"Only once, replied the commandant.
1T was typhoon in longitude 81 off the
equator. We were blown clean out of the
water twice, and spun for miles through
| Luc I'LL iln0 d DdllUOu, ! suau u0FST lOISet
the terrible appearance of the sea as we
looked down upon it from the clouds. We
got down safely to water at last, and tied
the ship to q water spout.
| "Deary, deary me-" said the secretary,
"how interesting" And you lived through
it all. Tell US some more. But let me in
quire first, is the capstan of vessel equal
in rank to the captain?"
"In ordinary timeG, said the command
ant, the captain outranks the capstan. But
the capstan always takes command Of the
ship when the anchor is weighed"
Indeed" replied the secretary. "But
where is your fourth castle? do not be-
hold any castle on board at all.
Fourth castle! Fourth castle! What
do you mean, secretary" asked the
amazed commandant.
why, in all sea tales I've read of the
fourth castle" said the secretary.
"Oh, you mean the 'fokestle," said the
commandant.
The what2" said the mystiaed secretary
"Fokestle. Fokestle- place where the
crew live. Down there said the com.
mandant
why, it's hole. said the secretary
Captain, I do not approve of your keep.
ing your men in such dark, damp cellars
|
Ard do the sailors really climb up there,
asked the sec rotary pointing aloft-"'ul
those little rope-ladders? How perilous."
They do" replied the commandant.
Il must improve on that" said the sec.
rotary. II will save the life of many
gallant tar. Let all the masts be provided
with hydraulic elevators"
"It shall be done, said the commandant
Call the officer of the watch" suddenl,
demanded the secretary; then remarking il
all aside, "Ill show him that know some
thing about Ships"
} The officer appears.
Officer, said the secretary, show u
your watches. want to see if they are al
} in good order"
J Sir, the watches were all sent on shor
this morning to be cleansed," replied tn
officer of the watch.
That's pretty work, J" growled the secre
tery. Why, where's the ships jeweler
How do yon suppose you would have tn
correct time if you were to keep an engage
} ment with en- enemy?
We should take the sun previously, y re
piled the officer of the watch.
L do not wish you to take the sam,
Numbered the secretary. 81 will not alloy
the Sun to be taken on this or any othe
| Oultou OIhIeb Nebbel. lou 40 not ueeQ III
Sun. 1t is vllainous, vicious paper
bright, and edited with certain amour
of Satanic ability. admit, but demoraliz
ing to the correct discipline of the navy
If you desire to take anything, take tn
Eyering Post or the Philadelp hia Ledge,
, Take good, heavy paper that will serve t
ballast both the ship and your minds. Well
, sir, if you have 10 watches on board, shoN
us your clocks. You are officer of tn
| clocks as well as the watches, are you not?
Aye, aye, sir!" said the officer of tn
, watch.
III /! What in the world makes you g
egotistical in expressing yourselfl VIII
] don't you say yes, sir, like a white man?
said the secretary.
Yes, sir. But / am sorry to say that
|" was necessary to reef the pendlums Of al
: our clocks during the last gale, and they'v
4 not been shaken out YET.
9 And what's all that banging for?" sal
the secretary. Is it naval engagement?
We are firing the customary salute o
/. ninteen guns in your honor, "said the Com
? mandant.
!. 20, you are, are you. Are there bullet