The Delta independent., 1889-07-02
TOLD OF THE MARINES.
An Important and Much Abused
Factor In Navy.


An Important and Much Abused
Factor In a Navy.
There is perhaps no body OF men In
The service OF the United States gos-
,rnment who have come in for a great
,r share of contumely and received less
praise for actual service rendered than
have the marines of the United States
Navy. From time immemorial it has
oeen Jacks saying in response to all
doubtful stories, "Tell that to the
narines," for the tars as a set are the
most incredulous fellows, and the hearty
contempt in which they hold the
marines is sufficient to incite the firing
ofa volly of epithets at the latter on
the slightest provocation.
| 1t is amusing, too, to ses with what
avidity the young apprentices seize
hold OF the prejudices of the able sea-
men, and person only need 60 aboard
one OF the cruising training ships to
hear the youngsters bawl out with all
the zest Of an old shell-back. Oh! you
Hottentot marinei"
The duty of marine aboard ship is
essentially that of policeman, and by
reason OF this very duty no fraterniz-
ing can be safely permitted between
"the guard" aud the men forward. As
to the tar, any one acquainted with his
devil-me-care spirit and wild, fun-lov-
ing nature must know how he looks
upon any one put over him as a check.
The tar looks up TO and respects his
officers, for he fears them. but the ma
rine he hates, for it is the marine who
gets him in trouble. But IL marines
l fxo - ,f q,
doubtful whether the discipline re-
quired Of crew of 500 men would be
OF that efficient nature now in force.
Our navy is peculiarly distinctive in its
method Of mobilization when compared
with similar institutions abroad. In
| the first place, our service offers better
pay, better duty, and greater emolu-
ments than does any other service in
the world.
ALI United States war vessels carry
a marine guard, ranging in size. how
ever, from n captains command OF so
| to 60 men on flagship to corporal 8
squad on monitor. Whom a ship is
about to go in commission her marine
guard which has been previously de-
tailed, is marched aboard and stands
in readiness to salute tho ensign as it
floats out from the peak. From this
moment until the expiration of the
three years. cruise the guard watches
that "element forward with a con-
stancy that allows OF no relaxation.
When the three years cruise is at an
end, when the seamen who have been
shipmates through every trial and
hardship are about to march ashore
and sever their associations. that stern
and implacable marine guard may be
| IL = .,,,I l.,
the last to leave the vessel-and as the
salute to the colors they have defend
ed.
The marines have warm admirers in
those persons who are acquainted with
their sterling worth and necessity.
Says Admiral Wilkes: 1.-The marines
constitute the great-I had almost said
the only-difrerence between man-of-
war and privateer." "They are,"
adds another writer, ''the bulwark be-
tween the cabin and the forecastle,"
while Rear-Admiral Stewart remarked.
''the support afforded by a steady
column Of bayonets has rendered mu-
TIMES scarce" The marine is peculiar
ly soldier. He is dressed, equipped
and handled as soldier, and his whole
life is the very opposite to that Ct q
sailor.
In time of action aboard ship the
marines are either stationed ut one oil
the heavy pivot guns, or else disposed
about decks and in the tops to act as
sharpshooters. 1t was q marine who
from the top OF the Frenchman along
side tho Victory at Trafalgar. shot
down the brave Nelson as he stood or
the deck OF the latter ship. The guard
| 60 nd ola In NJ
ways apart and distinct from the crew.
Let the reader imagine himself at mid.
night on the gun deck OF n large vessel
of war lying quietly ut anchor. A dim
light is burning forward, throwing q
heavy glare among the crowded ham,
mocks where 800 men are sleeping.
Not q sound is to be heard save the
steady tread OF the marine sentry
overhead, while the swish of the black
water awginst the sides brelks the
omnious silence. As tho bell strikes
"eight," the hour OF midnight, soli-
tary figure in full uniform, with sword
and pistols, steps noislessly from the
cabin door. He stops and listens for
q moment, as the turning of some
restless sleeper in his hammock at
tracts his attention. He is the com
manding officer. Walking forward, he
bends over the hammock OF a drum
mer boy and whispers word In his
ear; the only reply is n bound to the
deck. and the next instant the long
roll is sounding through the ship. As
II by magic 500 men leap from their
hammocks, hastily pass three lashings,
and throwing them against the sides
OF tho ship, rush half naked to the
guns. In three minutes after the fist
sounding OF that call to general quar-
ters," the guns are cast loose and the
glare OF the battle lanterns along the
deck reveals the crouching forms oi
tho tars. as clustered abouttheir pieces
they wait the word to open fire. And
again all is silent along that deck, the
same as when a few minutes previous
every man was wrapt in slumber Not
word Of warning had been given.
aud the sudden alarm aptly proved the
excellence. of the ships discipline. -
New York Times.
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