Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-06

CHIC SUaUlOIl, tnHU SOME Ol his SdllOIS utSC
been murdered and that the lives and
property of American subjects are no
longer safe in Chill; consequently the
United States cruiser Boston, under the
command of Captain Gilbert c. Wiltse,
has been dispatched with a complement of
26 officers and 272 men to the scene of + .e
trouble.
Though in modern days a man-of-war is
nearly always kept in fighting trim, or can
at least prepare for action in very short
time, yet there is a great difference between
the outfit she receives when going ON a
peaceable cruise and one for war.
Both the Yorktown and the Boston were
prepared for the latter purpose before leav-
ing the Brooklyn navy yard, and they have
sailed with full complement of men, and
with their ammunition magazine, provi-
sion store and coal bunkers stocked to the
utmost capacity. This is necessary to make
the vessel as Independent as possible dur
ing the time of her commission. 1t is not
always possible to obtain provisions, coal
or ammunition in foreign waters, espe-
cially when closely watched by the enemy.
Few people can have an idea what it means
for vessel like the Boston to take stores
for whole year. There are 300 jack tars
on board and each of them has an appe-
tite almost equal to that of two ordinary
landsmen. Here is list of the provisions
which the Boston needs for a twelve
month:
Ninety -four thousand five hundred pounds
of biscuits, 81, 200 pounds of salt beef, 1880
pounds of salt pork, %, 400 pounds of preserved
meats, 15, 400 pounds of flour, 1860 pounds of
coffee and cocoa, 1900 pounds of rice, $500
pounds of butter, 5000 pounds of dried fruit,
$500 pounds of pickles. %, 400 pints of beans and
peas "a 800 pounds of sugar, 3,412 pounds of tea,
$500 pints of molasses, 1900 pints of vinegar.
The total cost of the above amounts to
about S34, 900. This, however, is only what
the crew eats, but to it not less than $70,
600 worth of coal, which the engines will
devour in year, must be added, and an
other $4,000 for ammunition, so there is a
nice total of $134,000 for the food of the
crew, the engines and guns. The pay roll
will be about S132,O0O and the wear and
tear of the vessel may well be estimated at
5000, or all in all 100000 for one years
commission.
Naturally no man -of-war can carry al.
the coal that she needs for months, but
before going into action she takes on board
.as much rs she possibly can stow. Filled
coal bunkers in unarmored cruisers of the
Boston class afford fairly good side pro-
while the deck protection over them gen
orally consists of strong steel plates vary
ing from ~ to 80 inches in thickness.
During the long cruise of 1900 miles,
which is the distance from New York to
Valparaiso the Boston will have to coal
at various places and ultimately at Sand
point. in the straits, where she will take
all the coal she can carry, namely, 500 tons.
Whenever in port the men are supplied
with fresh provisions from shore and moth
ing is taken from the stores This is done
to give variety to the monotonous bill of
fare on a man-of-war.
1t is hardly possible to describe the pri-
vations men will endure when a high aim,
such as the glory of their flag, is constant
ly before them. Jack may grumble at
home, but when abroad there is no MN
prouder of his country than he. This Is
even the case in peace, but much more so
in war Then he is conscious that the
eyes of his country are constantly and
anxiously watching every movement of
his vessel, and Jack and his ship are one
During the Boston's voyage life on
board will chiefly consist of the regular
everyday man-ofwar routine, namely,
eight hours work out of twenty four, be-
sides a little gun and rife practice, and
occasionally some extra duty when gales
blow hard and old Neptune, getting angry,
furiously beats the waters with his mythic
trident