Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1883-06-07
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A<VVho ANV
II got badly left in forming hasty
opinion of the lah-de-dah captain of
English iron-clad,' said Captain Ormis-
ton, of the British steamship Effective.
now lying at this port. During the
recent war in Egypt / took out sup
plies to Alexandria, and after discharg-
ing, received orders to go to Berwick
port for charter. / knew nothing Of
the place, and had no chart of the
north coast aboard the steamer. None
of the merchant captains could supply
me, and / finally concluded to apply
to the captain of the iron-clad Irwin
chile that lay close alongside of us as
last chance. Ipulled up to the gang
| way, and was met by one of the Off
GERS, who said would have to wait a
few moments, as the crew were going
to quarters. As he spoke the boat
swain's whistle was heard clear and
sharp above the hoarse calls of his
mates. Immediately, as if by magic,
yards began to come down and to go
aloft, the blue jackets rushing to and
| fro on deck, and of sudden bang! off
went one Of the eight-ton guns fit to
take your head off. After the men
| were .piped down / made my way up
to the bridge. There found little
light haired man trotting up and down.
His hat was cooked roguishly on the
side of his head; he wore long side
| whiskers, and an eye-glass dangled from
a gold chain about his neck. As APP
preached he halted suddenly, whirling
about on one foot, screwed his eyeglass
into his eye, and, in sweet little pip
ing voice said;
My deah fellah, what can aw do
faw you? He cut such a figure that
was tempted to laugh in his face, but.
controlling myself, stated my errand.
Immediately the little man had all the
quartermasters running to find his sub
officers, and in jiffy they returned,
and, touching their caps, they began to
report that Mr.. A was ashore on lib
erty, Mr.. b had gone to Caro-. and
that Mr.. c was away in the first cutter
and so on. He then turned to me,
and, rubbing his hands, said: My
deah fellah, Berwickport is very fine
place. aw assuah you; you will find no
trouble in getting in; aw was there
once myself. Thinks l, what an ass
this man is, and touching my hat, /
was about to go, when big, sailor
looking officer appeared, and informed
the captain that there was no chart of
the British north coast aboard the ship.
Thanking the captain for his trouble, /
went over the side, and pulled aboard
my own ship.
mo doubt you will have agreed
with me that the captain was no sailor
and fool besides, but you would have
been mistaken, as was. The next
night the Invincible went to sea with a
man in the chains heaving the lead.
OF sudden the breast-strap parted,
and away went the man overheard.
The same little captain was on the
bridge. Instantly the foppish airs were
gone, and the true sailor appeared.
Pulling the bells, he stopped the vessel,
and just as he stood, oil-skins and all on,
went overheard to rescue his man.
One of his lieutenants and a quarter
master jumped overheard to assist
their commander. Instantly all was
in an uproar All hands were on deck.
All the boats were lowered, and the
four men in few minutes were safe on
board the Invincibe. The leadsman
was entangled in the line, and would
certain have drowned but for the prompt
assistance of the captain. In addition
this was the fourth man that same
officer had rescued from drowning.
His crew swore by him. He was a
peer of the realm, and better officer
does not walk the deck of an English
ship to-day. No. gentlemen, you can't
always tell the man by the cut of his
jib. "-Philadeiphia Times.