The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-08-13
ON THE BOUNDING MAIN.
Ahe Cruiser Bravely Defended From the
Attack Of Imaginary Foes.

The Cruiser BraveIy Defended From the
Attack of Imaginary Foes.
On BOARD THE CHARLESTON (Of
Santa CRUZ. Aug. I2.-It was splen
did morning for the start bright and
warm and clear, with a smooth sea. and
Joy reigned supreme in the bosoms
oil the Naval Reserve at the prospect of re-
tanning their breakfasts. In many instances
this was but hurried, trifing meal, but
even at that 1t was not to be lost without a
struggle. II the owner could help it.
BY o'clock the Charleston was clear of
the heads and steaming down the coast at a
10-knOt gait, with the Boston following on
her starboard quarter about three ship's
lengths astern. The Boston made picture
TO DO an able seamaD'S heart good, gliding
smoothly and peacefully along with an easy
roll, like huge white swan with skewers
sticking out of her back She is considered
more desirable home for the mariner than
the Charleston, being housed-in forward,
thus atf0rdiDg him ample protection in
rough weather. By those in a position TO
know, the Charleston is likened unto
half-tide rock In seaway, but some
rgged with velyet-plush sails and silken
gear
The young men of the reserve were not
gwen much time to view the landscape
SHOIe Vi cultivate LHe dCQuAlDldUce OF
the other Seamen in social way. They
were stripped of their acc0uterments and
lined up in division squads on both sides of
the main deck, facing outward and with
their toes to seam, for general inspection
by the admiral. AT this interesting period
In the wild, free rowing life ON the bounding
main, opening up to them for the first time,
the cruiser encountered a gentle swell.
AS she rolled down the sailors on the
lower side, who had not yet shipped their
lar1 Nr1Ir, -. -
but did not look over. Then on the uproll
they staggered backward, keeping up a
rigid left dress the while, and slapped them
selves against the matches. from which point
they Teganed the seam in the deck. looking
somewhat foolish under the critical glances
Of the able seamen clustered about, but still
determined to become Lord Nelson's and
Admiral Farraguts or perish miserably In
the attempt.
As soon as the young men were In condi-
tlon to place slight degree of confidence in
their legs the buglers sounded the call 10
general quarters. The regular ships
bugler blew the call andtthe Naval Reserve
trumpeter echoed the alarm from safe po-
sltiOn on the bridge. An imaginary enemy
with her guns trained was bearing down on
the Charleston, and the young men of the
reserve were called upon 10 defend her.
wild scramble ensued as the sailors sprang
TO their stations at the guns.
With the first rush Billie, the ships goat,
uSStIleu HIS sunny station on I'll g uIorO0m
hatch and darted under one of the platforms
OF the broadside guns. Billie IS an expert
enced goat. He has been in general quar-
teTs before and wanted to stear clear @. fy-
ing spikes aud rammers. But it was differ
ent with the reserve sailors. They rushed
calamity TO the fray.
Lieutenant Douglass, with Company C.,
took charge of the powder division and
handed out powder and projectieS while
the guns crews stood by tie batteries.
Lteute9ant Turner and his aids handled
the two forward 6-ineh guns and the aux
illary batteries on the bridge forward.
Lieutenant Gum manned the eight-inch
gun on the forward deck, while Ensign
Stable handled the after eight-inch gun.
Those were. trying times when the ships
went into action. Squads Of sailors dashed
here and there. with dangling scabbards
fOuling their legs, pistols In holsters, a cut
lass between their teeth, and with their
arms full of T fles sticking out in all direc-
tons ke quilts upon tue fTetfui pOrcapine.
win THESE smaller munitions of war placed
within easy reach the big guns were unlim-
bered and turned upon the enemy.
In the first action the regular crew sup
plemented the reserve at the batteries.
They were told off in numbers TO cOrre-
spond with the stations of the fighting
crews aid coached the young men to deeds
of yalOr and expert gunnery from behind.
When the officer in charge of the division
sang out Eight thousand yards, three
the able seamen told the amateur sailors
what to do.
At times there was some confusion, when
an Over-anXOuS gunner lurched the wrong
way and stepped on the toes of the able
seaman III his wake or jabbed him in the
stomach with a rammer-handle. Then the
mingled expression of WEAKNESS and dis
gust that lifted across the brOnZed face Of
the able seaman was rare deep-sea study
In Itself. However, 1t was the chance of
tfEf inn IGV Thaar lRlr
orders and indulge in little blasphemy
first hand. which more than compensated
him for the suffering endured.
In spite of these slight drawbacks the
drill progressed RAPIDLY, and after half an
hours instruction the reserve could load.
train and fire as we'll as the teachers. The
able seamen appeared to enjoy the sport.
When 1t came 10 close quarters and the en-
envy put off in small boats. the reserve
rushed yaliantly to the rail to repel beard
eTS. Snaps from empty pistols and rifles
fell around them like hail. and when the
enemy saw the cleaning cntlasses in the
hands of the determined young men they
put about and fed away DER the sunlit sea.
During the heat of battle a gallant tar,
member of Company C, stationed at the
forward gun and fighting for his life, fell to
the deck pierced By a poignant attack OF
NAL de mer. Pale and weak he arose and
staggered to the rail for the evident purpose
Of regrettng his breakfast. Lieutenant
NuHu tlbGSut tue SdiiOE was duC(tQ with
c0wardice, and sternly ordered him back to
his post, but when he saw the white, wan
face of the suffering sailor he relented and
told him to follow the dictates of his own
conscience. After the manner of amateur
sailors the miserable youth draped himself
across the weather rail with the usual
result.
When he returned to life with traces of
his recent emotion streaked on the front of
his uniform, q grZZled mariner called him
gently aside for a moment. MY son." he
said, sit is an unwritten law of the sea that
nothing shall be chucked to windward but
hot water and ashes. If the breeze is stiff
enough the fist time. the lee rail will do
ever afterward." The sufferer thanked
HIN in a faint voice, and said he would try
TO remember his first real lesson in seaman
shin.
When the first drill was over the sailors
were piped down for short rest; then the
call TO quarters was again sounded, and the
men sprang TO their stations. This time
the reserve cleared ship for action and
fought the battle alone. Thrown upon
their own resources the sailors went in and
mace really credtable showing, working
the batteries like veteran gamers and with
but few bitches. Once or twice the men
stationed on the training gear of the for
ward brOadside got mixed up, causing Lieu
tenant Turner TO eXclaim, in the anguish of
his spirit, "Oh, why will you persist in
grinding the wrong way ?" but everything
came right In the end ,and the reserve ac-
Quilted itself nobly.