The morning call., 1890-04-21
AGAIN IN PORT.
The Cruiser Charleston Returns
From Her Ocean Trip.
Everything Worked Satisfactorily on the
Cruise-When She Will Be Open
for Public Inspection.

port yesterday afternoon. The cruiser will prob
ably stay here a little over two weeks and cltI-
zens will be afforded the opportunity of visiting
this, the first steel vessel built on the Pacific
Coast.
Shortly after noon yesterday the marine re-
porter at Point LobOs telegraphed word that the
Charleston was twelve miles out bound In.
Within an hour the crowd OF prOmenaders at
Meiggs Wharf observed the white hull Of the
cruiser passing In through the Golden Gate. The
word was quickly passed along the front, and as
tile huge vessel plowed her way up the bay
against the ebb tide crowds Of people fiocked to
the ends OF the docks and along the bulkheads to
get glimpse OF production OF which every
Californian, every American, should well be
proud.
! HEAvING THE LEAD.
The weather was calm and the surface OF the
bay ike mill-pend, and as the war-vesse forged
ahead the only sound that was heard was the
voice OF the leadsman as lie stood in the waist Of
the Charleston heavlng the lead and crying out
"An-n nd half-ff ten, - "By-y-y-y the deep-p-p
nine" None OF the tugs at The wharves had
steam up, II being Sunday, and so did uOI salute
| with whlsilesi but just as the Charleston was
about 10 come to anchor of Washington street
little tug that was sIeaming down the bay saluted
Win three whistles. These were returned by the
man. of,war, which so enlhused The skipper Of
the little 'puing billy'' that he emitted a series
OF shrleklng toots Of his whistle until he well
out OF sight.
AS the vessel passed up a crowd OF sailors and
marines could be seen standing in the bow and
at the stern while a number of officers were on
ihe bridge According 10 orders from the Navy
Department, which Supposes all navy officers TO
be good navigators, no pilots are allowed and
consequently none was on board.
Al the vessels stern the American ensign was
nylhg and az her malnmast head the AdmiraPs
emblem, blue flag with TWO white stars. Just
as she came TO an anchor the revenue cutter
Corwin saluted by dipping her flag, which salute
was returned by the Charleston.
ON BOARD THE CHARLESTON.
Inc Charleston had hardly dropped her anchor
before sne was boarded by a representative OF
The CALL, who went of in whitehall boat.
Ihe reporter was received at the gangway by
Lleulenant George NJ. StOney. the officer OF the
watch on duty, VINO gave him cordial welcome
and said that the trip had been most satlsfac.
tory one in every respect.
The ship was a scene of bustle. Some Of the
sailors were cOling up ropes, others were rigging
out the boat-b booms, while others again We're
lowering the steam launches for the purpose of
to go. Those who were of duty were sitting on
the guns ana hatehwayS, smoking their pipes
ana anon casting longing eyes at the shore.
Accepting an invitation from Lieutenant
Stony, the reporter made tour OF the vessel
On The gun-deck were seen at the bow and stern
the big S-nch guns, which weigh %, 800 pounds
each. On the sides aud on the forward bridge
were the ten HotcbKiSs guns ana The 6-inch
broadside guns which weigh IL 600 pounds
each. All were highly polished and shone ike
silver.
On the gun-deck also were the hammock BERTH
lnss where the sailors STOW their hanmOcks
when not In use. Next were seen the chart and
wheel houses, built of steel and finished inside
In cherry and mahogany woods. In the wheel
house are three wheels for steering By hand. aud
brass wheel by which the hydraulic steerer is
governed.
ON THE MAIN DECK.
The main, or what is called the berth deck,
was next visited. This deck is devoted almost
entirely 10 the quarters OF the officers and crew.
Right aft is the after-cdbn next forward the Ad-
mirals and Captains staterooms and cabins
Forward OF these cabins are the officers quar-
ters. There aie eleven staterooms for ward
room officers, OF those above the rank of Ensign
Each room is finished in sycamore and mahog-
any and lighted by electricity. Forward OF tie
officers quarters Is the steefage for the Junior
officers.
Next forward In the steerage are the quarters
OF the crew ard marine guard On the star
board side are tie rooms Of the carpenter aud
other petty officers. Amidships is the galley.
In the steerage are the boilers, and surrounding
the boiler castings Is series OF galyaniZed-iron
wire lockers, each two feet square and provided
with lock and number. There is one for each
member OF the crew. Forward OF the steerage
Is the sick bay or hospital, and The surgeons
dispeHsary.
Below Ihe main or berth deck is the protective
deck containing twenty-nine watertight COM
partmenIs, where are located the coal-bunkers
torpedo-chambers, workshops. stoIerooms, etc
Below this deck again are the two englne-rooms
Ihe magazine, etc. While the reporter was ex-
ploring this deck. where the atmosphere was
very warm, lie received word that Captain Remey
purer air OF the berth deck, where he was met by
Lieutenant George L. Dyer Flag Lieutenant on
Admiral Browns stan, VINO introduced him 10
Captain Remey.
THE CAPTAINS CABIN.
Captain Remey was found sitting before a
handsome escrltoire IN his spacious cabin the
door OF which was guarded by stawart orderly.
The cabin IS handsomely carpeted and Is finished
in sycamore, dead POLISHED, mahogany aud teak
and upholstered In black leather. The chairs
ana lounges are all solid mahogany and Ill the
center of the room is round table with laurel
wood panels on The sides and elabOrately carved
red mahogany legs.
Aft Of the cabin or sittingroom is the cap
tains state-rOom, similarly finished and car
peted and containing a handsomely carved ward
hRVrlPd ba hpd ic
electric light that eau be turned on and off at
VIII, and at the head speaking tube, by which
the captain can converse with tile officer on
watch Oh deck. AIT OF The statero0m Is The bath
room and laYatOIy.
Captain Remey is a pIeasant-featured gentle
man about 40 years OF age In regard to the
ship and the trip he said:
1--WE have on board crew of 1885, the officers
number 81 all told. We left here yesterday 4
week ago. On The trip we made no especial ef-
fort for speed, only using three boilers, half our
boiler power. We made about twelve knots.
Everything worked 10 my utmost satisfaction, in
fact exceeded my expectations. On Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday aud Thursday last we tried
and small arms. We also had torpedo practice,
sending out the steam launch. with toTpedoes
htled on The end OF spars outraged from her.
TESTING THE GUNS.
ave tested the ten big six-inch guns, firing at
targets placed floating at distance Of 1000
yards from the ship. The guns Will carry six
miles, but the distance at which we have To fire
Is regulated by otders from the Navy Depart
ment at Washington The conditions say each
quarter ana vary 100, Tor ships ut anchor and
under way
"Of course in actual fighting we should come
pretty close to an enemy before firing. The hr-
ing was splendidly accurate; all that could de-
size. We destroyed number of the targets.
The only damage that occurred was that the
glasses oI some OF the search lights were broken
by the conclusion when the guns were nred.
!" The ritemen fired at targets at a range Of
800 yards and the boarders with their revolvers
al targets placed at distance OF fifty yards from
the ship. The marines, thirty in number, are in
command OF Captain Hughes.
I'VE SHAH remain In port about two weeks
ana snail commence receiving visitors on
Tuesday. Visitors will be allowed on board on
Tuesdays, Thursdays Saturdays and sundays
from TO $50 O'Clock in the afternoon while the
vessel is III port"
ARRANGING FOR VISITORS.
!" Have you made any special arrangements
with any one TO take visitors on TO The vessel ?''
asked the reporter.
:" have made arrangements with Jackson,
the railroad man," replied the captain. ''He Is
the only one who asked for The privilege. l have
not seen him, of course, since | returned. and
don't know whether he will devote any part OF
the proceeds TO any benevolent society or OBJ
1eet. He has promised to have good floats along
SIDE, ana te engage good tugs 10 bring those OFF
who wish TO come so that all Will be satished'
4" VIII you object or refuse TO allow any one
on board that comes alongside in Whitehall
Wen. think it would be more satisfactory
II visitors would come oil in the tugs. When
strong Tide Is running 1t IS dangerous, as you
know for ladies', children or infirm people 10 get
on board from small boats, and would not like
TO see any accidents"
REAR-ADMIRAL BROWN.
The reporter next was introduced to Rear-Ad-
miral Brown, whose quarters, similar TO those
OF Captain Remey, are located on the port side
oil The ship aft.
The Admiral said: "She Is a splendid vessel
and more than came up to my expectations. She
made 1874 Knots for six hours ON her trial trip
but " VIII lake Tour or i've months to get full
satisfaction out OF her engines, and then guess
she VIII do much better tnan that. She made
the most success sful trip ever made by new
ship. There was no jar or friction anywhere. /
was particularly pleased with the gun-mounts;
mol crack nor strain, not even paint crack
anywhere; something remarkable.
1--WE all have perfect Confidence In the ship and
the guns. never saw such accurate firing done
with guns in my life. We all like the ship aud
feel sure IL Captain Remey lets the men 20 ashore
none VIII leave her, except. maybe, Que two
landsmen. Like me, they are all proud OF her,
THE SHIPS LIBRARY.