National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-23
TRIAL OF NAVAL 1NExPERrs.
UhonlcIai hut Authentic story of RE-
variable Trip.

variable Trip.
New York Trlbuno.l
Now that the Dolphin has been accepted
by the government, the report Of her latest
voyage becomes the object Of more than Or
binary curiosity. As It is understood, how
ever, that owingto certain unfortunate cir
cumstances full account OF that memoir
able excursion is not likely TO be obtained
from official sources, n special correspondent
OF the Tribune furnishes some interesting
and authentic particulars.
The trip was ordered by the Secretary Of
tho Navy for the purpose OF testing the
stanchness aud seagoing qualities OF his
newest board of naval inexpcrts, aud Capt.
Meade was instructed TO make the trial
thorough. "You will bear IN mind" said
Mr. Whitney, "that as the members Of the
board are government property, you are
responsible for their economical eXpendi.
ture; but whlls you are not TO squander
them In reckless experiments you are ex-
pected to make such trial as Will fully
develop their capacity for active service In
rough weather. At the same time, captain"
added the Secretary, you need not alarm
them in ADVANCE
AS for the third inexpert, Mr.. Steele, he
was fully equipped for hot weather. lie
wore light suit Of flannel md straw hat;
he carried white sun umbrella, and his
teeth Chartered In the January air. "IIadn't
you better have heavy coatr asked the
captain.
Were, g;g-going s.south, oint WEI"
eyes, sir.n
"Aud out into the gulf stream.m'"
eyes, sir.n
"well, the waters warm out there, amt
"Pretty warm"
"Oh, Iknow all about It; flying fish, sar-
gasso sea, and so on You needn't worry
about me, captain.n
Gan right" rejolned Captain Meade; ~
won't.n
81 understand, sir,n said Capt. Meade.
The board OF ineXperts Joined the ship at
the appointed time, prepared for cruise
along the Virginia and Carolina coasts, aud
out into the warm waters OF the gulf stream
a route supposed TO be under subtropi-
cal skies, and TO be famed by languorous
breezes. They were in high spirits. Capt.
Brown, who boosted that he had soften
been passenger In iron Steamers brought
along a deck chair, a lap robe, and French
novel. Mr.. lIarg, who has taste for
science, carried an anerold barometer,
pocket compass, and a theodolite, the legs
of the last named instrument being very
much In his way crossing the plank. "What
are you going to do with thatS" asked Capt.
Meade.
"I'm going to survey her after we get
out bit, and see II she says any in the
middlc.n
The weather looked bad and a few drops
fell from the scurrying clouds as the ship
cast off. "IIold on ~ cried the board, but
nobody minded them, and the Dolphin
swung out into the stream ''Blest If
Meade isn't agoing to start In the rain,"
muttered Steele, "and don't believe there's
an umbrella on board except mine" The
afN a.n1I NJ h,,N NH,I AL
bore up pretty well. The shivering Steele
Rugged the smokestack. Capt Brown,
having been below and discovered that ''the
blamed steamboat had no barr paced the
deck growing, "She's no good" Mr..
Harg studied his compass, and, having for
gotten to take account Of the deviation,
persuaded himself that they were heading
for Nantucket Shoals. All turned in early.
The next morning the weather seemed
to be growing worse, but the board pro-
ceedcd to business. Capt. Brown stretched
himself in his chair, and placed full glass of
brandy and water on the deck beside Kim,
"to test the oscillations Of the ship" MIR.
Steele, having learned that Capt Meade
was laying course for the Bermudas, be-
came engrossed in inquiries about the
chance Of getting any spring onions, and
the earliest date for new potatoes. Mr..
Harg tried his theodolite, begging Capt.
Meade to "hold her still minute" till he
got sight. The ship, however, was "very
unsteady and the survey came to grief,
Mr.. Harg being driven stern foremost into
one Of the ventilators, and tthe theodolite
hopelessly wrecked. EXtrlcated from this
predlcament, the scientific member of the
board climbed to the foremast-head to
take the elevator by barometric measure
ment; but the Dolphin, which had been
| growing more and more frisky, gave great
lurch, the aneroid barometer was seen to
fly overheard, and Mr.. Harg came down,
wearing pale smile, and remarking that
he did not feel very well. A search for
Capt. Brown disclosed that mariner In
PROSTATE condition under the lee of the
pilot house. His head was wrapped I'm the
lap-rug, the French novel was soaking In
the scuppers, and the brandy aud water
glass was quite empty He was fccbly ar
ticulating "eXcessive oscillation" alter
nately with means for the steward, with the
assistance of which functionary he was
presently conducted below. "Steele," said
Mr.. Targ, 81 think we shall have to heavc,
too.n And they did.
The fact is the entire board gave plain
signs Of structural weakness amidships.
They were placed on an oven keel as soon
rs possible and laid in their berths, request
ing as a particular favornot to be disturbed
until they got into the gulf stream. In the
meantime Capt. Meade, keeping the ship
uuucT lull slCull, uuaucu ulCIIlly lllO JuS
face of the increasing gale, and found be-
fore long as savage q tempest as any roar
ing old salt could ask for. A tremendous
sea broke over the bows, swept the deck,
leaned down the companionway, and burst
in the ward.room doors. "Great Scott ~
cried the board. whats that ~ "Just
got into the gulf stream, gentlemen said
the steward. "You said you'd like to be
called"
IIDb thot,s tba o.,If stroon, is 1907, rnnIio1
Steele; swell, call us when we get out
again.
The board of naval ineXperts never came
on deck any more until the cruise was over
and the Dolphin was quiet In port. AS they
went over the side Capt. Meade shook them
each by the hand, and said that he hoped
they had enjoyed their little excursion, and
they looked him full in the face and said
that they should never forget him as long rs
they lived But Capt, Brown was heard to
growl as he walked away; "That ships no
good.n