Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-04-20
AMUSING SUBSTITUTE FOR FLoGGIHG.

gCCOnu-claSS mRLtef.l
AMUSING SUBSTITUTE FOR FLOGGING,
"Veritas," in letLerto the Baltimore Sun
supplies the following interesting reminis-
cences of tho late Commodore Hollins, who
was tho first officer to put in force the new
system of Furnishing insubordinate seamen
after the abolition of fogging in the United
| States Navy.
Some time between the years lS4S and
! 1850 the Navy Department sent circulars TO
s! all the senior officers Of the navy, asking
| their opinious and sentiments as to abolish
| ing corporal punishment in the navy. and
/ suggestions as to the best methods Of i'm
| proving the condition of the sailors in the
! government employ. Three officers only
advocated the abolition of corporal punish.
ment, or as it used to be termed, 'hog
ging," in the navy. They were Capt. Nc
Keever, Capt Levy, and them Commander
Hollins
Commander Hoiins, than whom no officer
ever had better discipline when in command
of men, urged the abolition of flogging, and
at the same time commutation of the spirit
ration, giving the men money in place OF
grog. AT that time he was stationed at Pen
sacola. His suggestions caused him to be
chaffed by his brother officers, who thought
1
ging and grog were done away with. He
| bore their laughter and jokes with his un-
varying amiability and good humor, but re-
manned in woful minority.
| In 1852 he was detached from the naval
station in Florida. In the meantime the
law had been passed by Congress abolishing
whipping in the navy. Hollins came North.
| A sloop. Of war II think the Cyane) was at
| that time being fitted out for sea. Although
| the law had been passed, there was no sub
s!itute enacted for the proper enforcement
! Of discipline, and many of Hollins's brother
officers suggested 10 the Secretary Of the
Navy that he should be sent in command of
| the sloop, on the ground that Holllins ed
vocated mo hogging," and they were Curl
Gus to see how he would get on without 1t.
| He received orders at once, and with his
usual promptitude proceeded to take COM
mand of the first man-ot.war imaginel
| that ever went to sea without rules and
regulations. Shortly after the vessel sail
ed. the officer Of the day appeared in the
cabin with the report that ono Of the sea
men was openly insubordinate and refused
positively to do his duty. The officer re-
tired, and Captain Hollins remained in
| thought as 10 what measures he should
adopt His ready wit soon suggested an
experiment He went on deck and ordered
! the delinquent TO his presence. Tho man
appeared q healthy, aTdy-looking fellow of
fine physique and in full vigcr.
"Wei my man." said Holins, II hear
you do not want 10 work are you sick?'
"No, sir"
"What, well, and not want TO do your
work ?"
"Oh, you must be i'll. Quartermaster,"
called Hollns-the quartermaster was there.
''Take this man and carry him below. Put
him TO bed carefully, tuck him in, don't let
him catch cold; put screen around his cot
and place sentry, and see that be is not
disturbed. He does not like work nor ex
erton. Feed him yourself; put napkin
under his chin keep him warm and COM
Portable, but by no means let him exert him
self"
The whole ships crew were on the alert
to see what was to be the result OF this mo
doubt test case. The man-W., will call
him was escorted below. and the captains
orders were carried out to the letter. W..
was put to bed, was tucked in, fed by the
ouar!ermaster, his meals served on waiter
and tended with great care. He was also
screened from view, but the men were seen
getting on gun carriages or anything else
| peeping from 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 this treatment
excited ridicue and amusement, not SYM
pathy for suffering, or a feeling that their
!nessmate was q martyr to tyranny aud
oppression. Thus matters rested for per-
haps thirty-six hours. At the expiration OF
that time, when Hollins appeared on deck
after breakfast, he observed group OF sail
ors at the mizzen mast AS he approached
they touched their hats, and he, knowing by
the position they occupied, that they wanted
O parley, remarked to the leader, "Well,
do you want anythiug?"
'Yes SIR" said an old salt. 1--WE come TO
speak for W, sir"
"speak for W" said Captain Hollins,
"Why is not be comfortable a1d well-cared
for"
"Oh, yes SIR" was the reply. "He's too
comfortable, and we've come to speak fol
him, sir. think he'll die, he's so ashamed
sir, and we"-with wave OF his hand TO-
wards his compsnions-"Wea are willing to
stand for him and go his security, sir"
well" replied the Captain" underthose
circumstances I'll let him get up"
From that day there was no trouble, no
INSTRUMENTATION on board that ship, and on
more than one occasion when any one OF the
men in the watch was suspected OF desire
to skulk, some of his messmates were over
heard saying, you'd better look out; the
old man will put you to bed"
1t was an experiment that acted admirably, and
was always source of great satisfaction to Capt
Hollins, as it proved to him that men could be
governed by other means than fogging. On an
other occasion, when Holius went on board to take
command of another ship, and while being shown
around, ne saw mysterious looking concern, and
said What's this,"
"a sweat.box."
"a what!" he asked. "a sweat-box? Open tht
door" He looked in, perhaps got in, and ther
said: 'Call the carpenter" The carpenter came
"KnocL that thing down aud throw it overheard,
said he. It was done at once. Jack" was look
ing on and the incident had its effect on those