The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-21
PUTTING JACK TAR TO BED
Commodore Ho:lins' Amusins Suhsti
tute for ElOggin%.

Commodore Ho'lins, Amu musimS Suhsti
tute for EI0gging.
"Veritas," in letter to the Baltimore
Sun, supplies the following interesting
"reminiscences of the ate Commodore
Hollins, who was the first officer to put
in force the new system of Furnishing in
subordinate seamen after the abolition
of t1ogging in the United States navy.
Some time between the years 1S49 and
$780, says the writer, the navy depart
ment sent circulars to all the senior Off
GERS of the navy, asking their opinions
and sentiments as to abolishing corporal
punishment in the navy, and sugg estions
as to the best methods of improving the
condition of the sailors in the govern
ment employ. Three officers only advo-
Gated the abolition of corporal punish
ment. or, as it used to be termed, clog
ging," in the navy. They were Captain
Mckeever, Captain Levy, and (then)
Commander Hollins.
Commander Hollins, than whom no
officer ever had better discipline when in
command IF men, urged the abolition of
flogging, and at the same time COM
mutation of the spirit ration, giving
the men money instead of grog. At
that time he was stationed at Pensa-
cola. His suggestions caused both to be
chaffed by his brother officers, who
thought the service would go to the
deuce if flogging and grog were done
away with. He bore their laughter and
jokes with his unvarying amiablity and
good humor, but remained in wofu]
minority.
In 1852 he was detached from the na-
val station in Florida. In the meantime
the law had been passed by Congress
abolishing whipping in the navy. Hol-
Inns came north. A sloop-ofwar think
the Cyane) was at that time being fitted
out for sea. Although the law had been
passed, there was no substitute enacted
for the proper enforcement of discipline,
and many of Hollins' brother officers
suggested to the secretary of the navy
that he should be sent in command of
the sloop, on the ground that Holiins
advocated mo fogging," and they were
curious to see how he would get on with
out it. He received orders at once, and
with his usual promptitude proceeded to
take command of the first man ofw Il
imagine) that ever went to sea without
rules and regulations. Shortly after the
vessel had sailed the officer of the day
appeared in the cabin with the report
that one of the seamen was openly in
subordinate, and refused positively to do
his duty. The officer retired, and Cap
tain Hollins remained in thought as to
what measures he should adopt. His
ready wit soon suggested an experiment.
He went on deck and ordered the delin-
quent to his presence. The man ap-
peared, healthy, hardy looking fellow
of fine physique and in full vigor.
"Well, my man," said Hollins.
hear you do not want to work: are you
sick?"
"No, sir"
"What, well, and not want to do
your work. Oh, you must be ill.
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 a sentry, and see that he he is
not disturbed. He does not like work
nor exertion. Feed him yourself; put
a napkin under his chin, keep him warm
and comfortable, but by no means let
him exert himself"
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 car
ried out to the letter. w. was put to
bed, was tucked in, fed by the quarter
master, 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 glimpse of the invalid. Had
severe measures been adopted he would
have had the sympathy and support of
the crew. but this treatment excited
fidicule and amusement, not sympathy
for suffering or feeling that their
messmate was a martyr to tyranny and
oppression. Thus matters rested for
perhaps about thirty-six hours. At
the expiration of that ! time, when
Hollins appeared on deck after break
fast, he observed group of sailors at
the mizzenmast. AS he approached they
touched their hats, and he, knowing by
the position they occupied, that they
wanted parley, remarked to the leader:
1sWell, do you want anything?"
eyes, sir, said an old salt, 1--WE come
to speak for w., sir"
DpGdK lOF w.! SdIu Sdpidlu hui
Inns. "Why, is he not comfortable and
well cared for2"
"Oh, yes. SIR" was the reply, 'he's
too comfortable, and we've come to.speak
for him, sir. think he'll die, he's SO
ashamed, sir. and we'-with wave of
his hand toward his companiops-"w eve
are willing to stand for him and go his
security, sir.'
"Well, replied the captain, "under
these circumstances, I'll let him get up.
From that day there was no trouble,
no insubordination on board that ship,
and on more than one occasion when any
one of the men in the watch was sus-
pected of desire to skulk some of his
messmates were overheard saying,
ssYou'd better look out, the old map
will put you to bed.
1t was an experiment that acted ad
mirably, and was always source of
great satisfaction to Captain Hollins, as
it proved to him that men could be gov
erned by other means than hogging.