The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-03-31

could use tho ponderous sledgc tho ,onr.
est, and the blacksmith did not seem n,
all averse TO encouraging this spirit of
competition.
y big gun travelling around on tracks
boted down TO the deck 80 that it could
he fred from side. 20 side, and kent 40
bright that one could sec TO shave in its
polished surface, was pointed ont as the
largest muzzle loading gun carried in
our service--a class of artillery, how.
ever that from what could Judge was
fast giving way to new brcech loading
guns having very much increased range
ana power of penetration. The old
graybcard in charge of this gun
evidently took the greatest pride in his
work, as he was rubbing up some
scratches made during the mornings
"a i'll, using first "a Hat piece Of cork and
then silk handkerchief of the softest
texture, that hesaid he had bought when
on former cruise in the same ship ont
in China. where he had charge of the
same gan Curiously enough, this old
ahcllback was aboard the ship when she
went up tho Mississippi and by the Mo
bile forts during the war. and interest.
ms enough were the two short yarns lac
gave us of those actions. was quite
curious TO know what all the black hooks
wero for that / saw on the overhead
beams as walked along the deck, and
was told that they were for the mems
hammOcks, which are taken out Of the
rail boxes, or MEETINGS. at the ships
side every evening at sunset and hung
on these hooks, each~inan being al.
lowed hook for the head Of the ham.
mock and another for the foot. In
the morning when al hands are called,
these hammocks are lashed up with
piece OF rope. one turn at each end and
five others at equal distance apart being
taken, and arc then slowed in the net
tings a waterproof cloth is hauled over
them to keep out the weather, which on
pleasant daysis billed back, allowing the
white hammocks tOshOw as an additional
ornament TO the deck. Down below on
the berth deck comparatively few men
were TO be seen. as the ships regulation
required this deck to be kept clear az
much as possible, for sanitary reasons.
The cooks. though, were busily prepar-
ing the evening meal, which nova
days is something more substantial than
the old time "hot water and spoons.
Real nice loavcs Of bread, tempting
looking biscuit, most relishing pans
Of pork and beans and various other
substantial food bore evidence toward
proving that the inner man-of-war's man
is 10y no means neglected. The marines,
as the soldiers Of the sea are called have
a particular portion of the deck for their
quarters and rival the iackies for keep
ing it immaculate Their stacks of well
FURNISHED arms. with highly polished
buttons and fittings and spotless white
helmets. proved that somebody some
where i'm the ship took more than pass
ing interest Ia their behalf The dispon
sary. where the apothecary always
known as Doc by his messmates, reigns
supreme, Is on this deck and rows upon
rows of bottles, each in a little partition
of It's own. well secured against the
iurching of the vessel at sea, showed
that there was plenty Of thought be
slowed upon any possible contingencies
that might arise A place pariitiOned
off was assigned for the sick and in cots
or hammOCks were some half dozen men
who were under treatment for vari
Gus caUses-none particularly serious.
for in home ports and whenever posi-
blc abroad the sick are sent TO the near
est hospital that will have them. as a
ship is no place for a man who is not fit
10 DO duty The cable tiers. the store
rooms, The engines, kept in perfect order,
the fire room clean and cool. the holds
and the hundreds OF other curious and
interesting features made the time pass
SO rapidly that / was astonished when.
upon hearing a lot Of whistles being
blown by the boatswain's mates, l was
informed that it was time for piping
the sweepers, which was explained as
meaning call for men who are detailed
to sweep the decks to appear with their
brooms and clean up for the day. A
bugle was sounded and my guide told
me it was the call for the boat to go
ashore. aud stepping up TO the officer on
watch his touched his cap and asked per
mission for me to bs landed, which being
granted / jumped into the boat and was
soon after ashore. ARTHUR Z. MARIO.