Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-06-14
TOLD OF THE MARINES.
An Important and Much Abused
Factor in a Navy.

An Important and Much Abused
Factor in a Navy.
There is perhaps no body OF men in
the service OF the United States gov
srnment who have come in for great
err share OF contumely and received less
praise for actual service rendered than
have the marines OF the United States
Navy. From time immemorial IL has
been Jacks saying in response to all
doubtful stories. Tell that 10 the
marines for the tars as "A set are the
most incredulous fellows, and the hearty
j contempt in which they hold the
marines is sufficient to incite the firing
Of "a volly of epithets at the latter on
the slightest provoc ton.
1t Is amusing. too, To see with what
avidity the young apprentices seize
hold OF the prejudices OF the able sea-
men. and person only need go aboard
one OF the cruising training ships to
hear the youn gsters bawl out with all
the zest OF an Old shell-baclI. Oh! you
Hottentot marine,h
The duty Of marine aboard ship is
essentially that OF Il policeman, and by
reason OF this very duty no fraterniz-
ing can be safely permitted between
1.-The guard" and the men forward. AS
10 the tar, any one acquainted with his
1evil-me-carc spirit AMI wild, fun-lov-
inc nature must know how no looks
upon any one pat over him rs Il 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
were noL feature Of mau-of-w II it il
doubtful whether the discipline re-
luired 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.
All United States war vessels carry
amarine guard, ranging in size, how
ever, from captains command of 80
10 GO men on flagship TO corporal's
squad on a monitor. When ship is
about 10 go in commission her marine
guard which has been previously de-
tailed, is marched aboard ana stands
in readiness 10 salute the ensign as it
1oats out from the peak. From this
moment until the expiration Of the
three yec,s' cruise the gu nd watches
that "element forward with n 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 implacabie marine guard may be
seen in line on deck and under arms
the last TO leave the vessel-and as the
flag is hauled down they give the last
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: The marines
constitute the great l had almost said
the difference between a man-of-
! war and a privateer." They are"
adds another writer. 1.-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 a soldier. He is dressed, equipped
and handled rs soldier and his whole
life is the very opposite to that Of
sailor.
In time of action aboard ship the
marines are either stationed at one Of
the heavy pivot guns, or else disposed
about decks and in the tops TO act as
sharpshootars. 1t was Murine who
from the top OF the Frenchman along
hn iat1 nj zen Fol h,t
down the brave Nelson as he stood on
the deck of the latter ship. The guard
messes, eats and sleeps in n body, al
ways apart and distinct from the crew.
Let the reader imagine himself at mid
night on the gun deck of a large vessel
of war lying quietly at anchor A dim
light is burning forward, throwing a
heavy glare among the crowded ham,
mocks whore 800 men are sleeping.
Not sound is 10 be heard save the
steady tread Of the murine sentry
overhead, while the swish of TIE black
water aSginst the si1es bre ks the
omnibus silence As the bell strikes
"eight," the hour Of midnight, soli-
tary figure in ful uniform, with sword
and pistols. steps noislessly from the
cabin door. He stops and listens for
a IlOituO' tio VIC turning vi SOtle
restless sleeper in his himmock at
tracts his attention. He is the COM
manaing officer Walking forward, he
bends over the hammock of q drum
mer boy and whispers a word in his
ear; the only reply Is a bound to the
deck. and the next instant the long
roll is sounding through the ship. AS
If by magic 500 men leap from their
hammocks. hastily pass three lashings.
and throwing them az inst the sides
of the ship, rush half naked to the
guns. In three minutes after the fist
sounding of that call TO general quar-
ters." the guns are east loose and the
glare OF the battle lanterns along the
deck reveals the crouching forms Of
the tars, as clustered about their pieces
they wait the worl 10 open fire. And
again all is silent along that deck. the
sam as when a few rninutes previous