The National tribune., 1889-02-14

THE FoRECASTLE.
What Our Naval Heroes Have to Say About Their
Cruises.

bhat Our Naval Heroes Have TO Say About Their
Cruises.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: I have lust
been reading TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE of Dee
20, in which / noticed hail f" from az old
"shellback," J. L. Baisdell, Of Santa Cruz, Cal;
and ia he issue Of Nov. p another from Joseph
Z Vsntine, OF The Naval Post, No. 400, Phiia-
delphla. Pa, and occasionally we notice some
thing from Sbipmabe William Simmons, the
Commander Of the above blHejaeket Post.
greet you, dear shipmstes. on this Christ
mas morning, wishing you, as well as all naval
vets, a merry Christmas and happy New
Year. May We see many more before we are
called TO Dayy JOnes'g Locker where many
OF our sbipnates have already gone, and 10
which port many Of ns are drawing near
Yes shIpmates, the blueiackets should be
heard from more frequently. Our brave COM
rades Of the army are having 2 pleasant time
narrating their war experiences in the columns
Of their friend, TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE. 1t
is bat seldom we see anything from the glorious
old navy In The NATIONAL TRIBUNE or
any Of the other publications devoted to
the GAR. and war matters as well. Come
messmates, rouse out Up on deck, every son
OF sea cook OF We. and spin Us a yarn. Brush
the cObWebs from your old memories. and bring
70 light some Of those gallant exploits that
tTanspired during your services in defense of
the glorious Union, and for which You have
not yet received full credit
] would suggest 10 the Editor that space say
two columns, be set apart for the exclusive use
Of TIE blUejackets, which should be known as
" The FOrecastie.D III the above suggestion is
adopted. many gallant old Tar" will be heard
from. What say you, shipmates and comrades
OF the army aud subscribers in general. and
you, SIT Editor ia particular? Shall the naval
vet have a space wherein he may spin his
yArns2 Thousands Of old shelibacks await a
reply.
In conclusion, viii say to Shipmate Blaisdell
let as bear from him again-somethinp of
the gallant services Of the old sloop-of-war
Mohican and the Pocahontas, the latter OF
which was at one time commanded By two Of
my old commanders, the brave Capt PerciVaJ
DTayton deceased and Commander George b
Balch, now a retired Admiral
To ShipElate kantiBe i will say, that If he i
The father Of the idea WHICH brought into use
chain armor as protection 20 machinery
against rebel shot on our ships during the war
he deserves gold medal as large as the bottom
Of q "scuttle-butt"
shall have something 60 say about chain
2rmor sometime in the future, 10 prove what :
capital idea it was. And now word for Shin
mate Wm. Simmons, the kind hearted Com
mander Of The Naval Post, and Secretary o
the Association Of Naval Vets He deserve,
the thanks Of every naval vet for his efforts in
their behalf The said efforts always recurring
sacrifice Of time. labor and money, thereby
showing In practical manner the interest b,
has IN shipm2tes welfare. May he VIII,
watches al our actions reward and bless ou
noble and generous-bearted ehipmate for hi
tireless efforts IN the welfare Of the naval vets
WA. JOHNSON, U. S. S. Pawnee, 30 Franklin
Ave, Brooklyn, h. Y.
The Editor Of The NATIONAL TRIBUNl
takes pleasure in publishing the foregoing arti
Gle, aad viii keep space for any articles ghicl
the old TarsD may send in of their cruise
under the head of "The Forecastle," as sue
gested by Comrade JOhnson.l