The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-06-05

| HStiANbhicSl illuSlidipb ul klIu anu lnuuiBSht
officer.
We only staid at Tampa Bay few days, to
| allow the men TO exercise ashore. All to be
| seen here were q few palmetto trees and an
empty lighthouse, from which the lantern had
been removed by the rebels A large devil
fish or giant octopus used to make his appear
ance alongside our ship every day. His broad,
! black back would stick mp out of the water,
| and had somewhat the appearance of n whale.
| We were not allowed TO disturb il, rs they are
said 70 DO exceedingly dangerous, sometimes
! upsettlng small boats and drowning the whole
/ crew.
! From Tampa Bay we sailed for Key West.
| where we dropped anchor on hot day late in
July.
We were soon surprised by seeing the Admit
! raj lTheodOrus Bailey coming on board, ac-
comFaniod by his 0rderlies Dundas and Don
ely, and another man whose name, have for
gotten. The Admiral had his headquarters on
shore while the San Jacnto was off cruising.
| lie was Just recovering from light attack of
yellow fever. We knew that something was
up when we saw him coming with his sea-
chests and other baggage
In a short time two barrels of Zines were
hoistcd on board, aud we were told TO eat or
make a sour drink out of them, to prevent
scurvy. Before night the word was passed
that the Admiral was going
TO TAKE US HOME
When we heard tho joyful news we went wild
with delight, and could have Rugged and kissed
the old man aud swallowed his sour lines with
out sugar Very little sleep was INDUCED in
that night by the ships company. / remem-
her that | was on post at the galley, and / felt
as if was walking on air.
The next morning the Boatswan's whistle
called all hands to UP anchor for homo. IL was
wonderful how quick the old "San Jacks F"
mud-hook made ITS appearance, and was fished
and Gated. Our destination was New York,
and we arrived nj the Lower Bay about the 1st
of August, 1864. Auchoring Mt the Quaran-
tine grounds we were told by the Health OIL
Ger that we would not he allowed TO proceed
mp TO the city, on account of our having come
from an infected port.
OFF FOR LABRADoR's COAST.
We were again ordered out to sea to sail for
the coast OF Labrador in order to freeze out
the yellow-levcr germs. We only went as far
as the Banks of Newfoundland, however, and
passed in sight of the city of Halifax. In n
week or so we put into Portsmouth, n. H.,
where the San Jacinto was placed in the dry
dock at the kittery Navy-yard for repairs,
We remained here six weeks, during which
time the crew was given two days ashore. We
also got rid Of those who were sick or inefii-
cient and many whose term of service had OK
pired were discharged.
The necessary repairs being completed the
vessel was again ordered to our old station at
Key West.
on, THOSE BoUETY-JUMPERs,
But before sailing we received an addition to
our crew from the receiving ship at Boston.
These men were mostly bounty jumpers aud
substitutes. We also received few marines
Most Of these men had enlisted solely for the
large bounties given at that time with the in
tention of deserving and taking another bounty
at the FIRST opportunity. Some Of them had
received $1,000, and would frequently boast of
the number of b0unties they had taken. They
were landed from tie cars close 10 the wharf,
two ranks OF marines were formed faced in
ward, and reaching from the cars TO the gang
planks OF the tugb0ats that were 20 carry them
TO the San Jacinto, and then these recruits &"
were driven down this living lane with walls
OF fixed bayonets for spike-heads like sheep 10
the shambles.
STRUCK BY A CYCLONE.
We sailed from Portsmouth about October Is.
and when Of Rhode Island coast were struck
by cyclone The first thing we knew an i'm
mense wave struck us on the port bow the
ship keeled far over 20 starboard and ten
tons OF water went down the fore-hatcb, delug-
ing the beTth-deck. One OF tho cooks had just
opened a barrel OF -four. which was upset
making terrible mess. was standing near
the smokeslack when the wave struck u.s. and
| lnstinciively threw my arm around one of the
1 iron stays. The marine cook was grinding a
knife, with comrade turning the grindstone.
when the stone and bucket of water were
suddenly pitched across the deck. where they
landed al the foot Of the smukestack
The matches were Immediately battcned
down, life lines were stretched fore and aft. aud
everything msde snug and tight for n storm.
FOR three days and nights We were tossed
about at the mercy of the winds and waves.
On the second all hands were called TO save
ship. Our ease was getting desperate and
none but the best seamen were allowed TO 20
alOft
Every boat except the lanch. which was
Oh deck amidship. aud the Captain gig. which
hung over the stern, was torn from the davits,
smashed 10 pieces aud washed away
The boSts dayIts Of heavy live-oak aud iron
were twisted aud broken as easily as pine wood.
The bulwarks on the forecastle. Of thick oak
planks bound with iron, were smashed in as il
they were pastsboard b0xes
The ship rolled SO much that tho water would
empty out of the scuppers on the galley. 50 we
bad 10 do without tea aud coffee We had
nothing 10 eat but bareback, raw potatoes
and pork. To add 10 the danger, the boats
falls were washed astern when the boats were
destroyed these ropes became entangled in the
propeller, causing the engine to stop, and /
think strained the shaft aud broke some Of the
machinery. After this we were compelled "a
I ~
three masted ship, with screw propeller.
Finding II impossible 10 make the port OF
/ New York, our Captain Capt Meade, brother
/ Of Gen. Meade Of the Army concluded to run
/ south out OF the path of the cyclone, under
reeied topsails, and make for Hampton Roads
! Tremendous seas were running and the strain-
/ ing 81 the ship, the creaking Of the blocks and
/ rafting Of ropes. combined with the hoaree
/ shouts Of the officers, giving commands through
| their speakinR-trumpets, was frightful. For
! tunately, thanks TO Providence, good seaman
ship, aud the gtanch old "San jack we sue.
ceedcd in weathering the gale, aud arrived al
| the mouth Of the Chesapeake abont the 25th OF
October. From there We passed Fort Monroe
the Rip-kaps, aud other historical points, "a
GospoTt Navy yard, opposite Norfolk, where VIC
| tied up at the wharf
The fine dry-d0ck having been blown ur
when he Navy-yard was destroyed, we en-
ployed divers To 90 down aud cut away Oh,
/ ropes that were twisted around our propeller
This was very slow work. and detained us nj
Norfolk six weeks Orr chief officers at THU
time were Capt. Meade Commander; Lieut.
Quackenbush, Executive Officer, and Mr. Small
ley Lieutenant Of Marines
KIND-HEAKTED OFFICERS
Better and kinder hearted officers I neye,
sailed under, especially Lieut.. SmaIlev. If hi
guard Of marines were entitled 10 ANYTHING. h,
saw that they got it, While at Key West h,
presented them with an immense sea turtl,
that contained 300 eggs, aud VIC leasted for sew
eral days on genuine green-turtie soup AnC
once, when was worrying through difficult
problem ia arithmetic, lie came to me ant
offered to assist NE in my studies If / needed
help.
One Of our former Captains was Chandler