The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-05-29
DISCIPLINE IN THE NAVY.
Commodore Hollins' Amusing Substitute IA,
Kl0pvfnva

"Ver1taS, IN q letter to The Sun.
supplies the following interesting rem,
iniscences Of the late Commodore
Hollins, who was the first officer to
pnt in force the new system Of punish
ing insubordinate seamen after the
abolition of fogging in the United
States navy. The letter, suggested by
reading a condensation Of Commander
Farquhar's prize essay before the ma
val institute, which was published in
The San Of April G.. is as follows:
On reading an article in this morn
lng's issue of The Sun discussing a
prize essay by Commander Farquhar,
recalled an episode in the life of the
late Commodore Hollins that I think
VIII be of interest to those who re-
member that gallant officer and excel
lent seaman.
Some time between the wears lS48
and 1850 the navy department. sent
circulars to all the senior officers of
the navy, asking their opinions and
sentiments as to abolishlng corporal
punishment IN the navy, and ugges
tons as to the best methods Of i'm
proving the condition of the sailors in
the government employ. Three Off.
GERS only advocated the abolition Of
corporal punishment, or, as it used to.
be termed. "ioggging," in the navy.
They We're Capt. McKeever, Capt.
Levy, and (then) Commander Hol-
Inns.
Commander Hollins. than whom no
officer ever had better discipline when
in command of men, urged the aboli-
lion OF logging, and at the same time
communication of the spirit ration, Civ
ing h men money instead of grog.
AT that time he was stationed at Pen
sacola. His suggestions caused both
to be chatfed by his brother officers,
who thought the service would go to-
the ID" if logging and erog were
done away with. Hebore their1augh-
ter and jokes with his u~nvarying ami
ability and good humor; but remained
IN a woful minority.
In 1852 he was detached from the
naval station in Florida. In the 9
time the law had been passed by o n
gress abolishing whipping in the ma
Wy. Holiins came north. A sloop-of-
war Il think the Cyane) was at that
time being fitted out for sea. Az
though the law had been passed, there
cNoSNAtuUO CuuCVCu xOE LQ6
proper enforcement of discipline, and
many OF Hollins' brother officers sug-
gested to the secretary of the navy
that he should be sent in command Of
the sloop, on the ground that Hollins.
advocated "no acgging," and they
were curious to see how he would get
on without it. He received orders at
once, and with his usual promptitude
proceeded to take command of the
first man-of-war q imagine) that ever
went to sea without rules and regula-
tons. Shortly after the vessel had
sailed the officer of the day appeared
in the cabin with the report that one
OF h seamen Was openly lnsubordi-
nate, and refused positively to do his
duty. The officer retired, and Capt.
Hollins remained in thought as to.
what measures he should adopt. His,
ready wit soon suggested an experi-
ment. He went on deck and ordered
the delinquent to his presence. The
man appeased, q healthy, hardy-look-
ing fellow of fine physique and in full
vigor;
"Well, my man." said Hollins, Il
slckP''
mo, sir"
what, well, and not want to do
your workP':
"Oh, you must be ill. Quarter
MASTER" called Hollins-the quarter
master was there. Take this man
and carry him below. Put him to he'd
carefully, tuck him in; don't let him
catch cold;put a screen around his cot
and place u sentry, and see that he Is.
not disturbed. He does not like work
exertion. Feed him yourself; put
a napkin under his chin. keep him
warm and comfortable, but by no
means let him exert himself.rr
The whole ships crew were on the
alert to see what was to be the result
of this (no doubt) test case. The man,
W., l will call him, was escorted be-
low, and the captains orders were
carried out to a letter. w. was put
to bed, tucked in, fed by the quarter,
master, his meals served on o. waiter.
and tended with great care. He was
also screened from view, but the men
were g getting on gun-carriages or
anything else, peeping from 9. distance
to get a glimpse of the invalid. Had
severe measures been adopted he
would have had the sympathy and
support OF the crew, but thlstreatment
excited ridicule and amusement, not
sympathy for suffering or a feeling
that their messmate was q martyr to
tyranny and oppression. Thus mat
ters rested forperhaps thirty-six hours.
At the expiration of that time, when
Holllns appeared on deck after breax-
fast, he observed a group of sailors at
b mizzenmast. As he approached
they touched their hats, and he know
ing by the position they occupied that
they wanted a parley, remarked to the,
leader:
well do you want anythingp"
Eyes, sir, said an old salt, "we,
come to speak for w.. sir"
Speak for W.P'' said Capt. Hollins.
why, is he not comfortable and
well cared forPn
"Oh. yes, sir" was the reply. sshe;s
too comfortable, and we've come to,
speak for him, sir. I think he'll die,
he's 10 ashamed, sir, and we'-witn a
wave of his hand toward his compan-
ions-"we are willing to stand for him
and go his security, SIR"
Well, replied the captain, .sunder
these circumstances, I'll let him get.
up
From that day there was no iasubor-
dination on board that ship, and on
more than n occasion when any one.
of the men in the watch was suspected
of n desire to sknik some OF his mess
mates were overheard saying. You'd
better leok out; the odd man will put
you to bed.n
1t was an experiment that acted adj.
mirably, and was always o. source Of
great satisfaction to Capt. Rollins, IS
it proved to him that men could be-
governed BY other means than fog