The record-union., 1892-03-10
MIDSHIPMEly OF OLDEN DAYS.
How Future Admirals We're
Shipped Fifty Years Ago.
Life of the Lads Anoat-Lots Of Hard
Work and Mighty Little ''Soldier-
neutrality-suspicious. of Lad Upon
First Seeing His ship.

III GllC III OCl4NhAlNfo 'iAAN
shipmen entered at the age of II years.
1t was common pleasantly when one
appeared on the wharf ready to embark
for the smart young women who frequent
such localities to ask the youthful as
pirant in uniform where he had left his
nurse, and the same greeting was given
to our middies until a change occurred in
entering at a mature age. Their monthly
pay was Sl9 and a ration of 20 cents per
day; this was all they received, save their
hammock, without bedding. Many
parents furnished their sons with addl-
tional means as they grew older, usually
to their detriment. Almost without ex-
ception those who were found adaptable
and remained in the navy were depend
ent on their pay. After 1892 the little red
checked middle was not alone in his glory.
An appreciative Congress increased the
pay of the navy. and that of midship-
man to S400 year and a ration. Then
aspirants of larger growth presented
themselves, willing "to serve their coun-
try
In 1894 youth with long flaXen hair
left his home, TAR in the interior of Ala
bama. where he was the pride of the
family and known by all of the blacks as
q prodigy. He was Is years of age, quite
large and strong, had frank, open coun-
tenance, and a Self-poSSeSSlOn bordering
on assurance that gave him local repu-
tation Of high order. He had received a
lnidshipman's appointment to a slOop of
war at Pensacola, whittier he went.
When alongside of the vessel lie saw ss
marine with his muSket on his shoulder
standing on the plank at the gangway,
and haif lodi ri
you shooting at looms this fine morn
ing?" on reaching the gangway he was
informed that the gorgeouSly dressed
marine with white cotton gloves was not
the Captain, who was in the cabin. He
peered down a hatchway, and his aston
lshment knew no bounds. He exclaimed
in q loud voice: ''Oh, gosh! she's hol
]owt" What mysterious influence had
guided this youth 10 sea is beyond sur
III Sc. Six years later he passed his eX
animation, became a good officer, and
died on board ship seventeen years alter
entering the navy.
once on board of a vessel the typical
little middle of long ago was received
with kindliness by the Lieutentants aud
their families and assisted in choosing
his OUTFIT. He was lucky if he was put
IN four watches; usually there were three,
which entailed eight hours on deck in
routine the four watches alternating
when no actual duty engaged their atten-
ton; the Lieutenant in charge of the
deck, when in port, on the starboard side
and the middieS on the other, and at sea
the Lieutenant on the weather side and
the middies on the leeside. The routine
of walking when not specially engaged is
doubtless TO the necessity of those having
charge of the vessel being kept wide
= awake to meet all dangers of wind and
weather, and also TO guard against COLI
sions, which are the great dangers of the
sea. This habit of walking is so con-
1irmed among navy men that it is OBJ
served that the carpets in the rooms in
the Navy Department in Washington last
only half as long as those in the War De-
partment, occupied by army men. Even
in little brigs, with quarterback not
more than thirty feet long, walking was
the habit and only omitted at sea when
the rolling was so great as to make it
necessary to hold on the greater part of
the time to avoid injury from being
thrown violently to leeward.
The middle had to buy quadrant and
take a meridian observation for latitude
daily when the sun was visible, and to
send to the Captain also his days work. -
which was the position of the ship as
given by the courses and distances rum
reduced to latitude and longitude by
means of traverse table. He had to
learn this as best he could. Few vessels
smaller than frigates had Professors of
mathematics as teachers OF midShipmen
were styled. The late General Fremont
served, when young for some time in
that capacity on board OIL Eone of our yes
sells in the West Indies. Nor was this all
the middle had to DO; he had TO make and
Keep corrected watch, quarter and station
bills, TO copy the log-book, which, when
he was examined, was placed before the
board and called his journal"
4 no Eod no fho 1.L
when the men came on deck, and at other
times; to see that the men stationed at the
halliardS were there, and that the clew-
lines were out, and when sail was short
ened or made that the ropes were manned
and when ali hands were called in reefng
or unfurling topsail, one was stationed in
each top. They "overhauled'' the clothes
bags of the men in the gun division to
which they belonged, to see that the men
were properly supplied with clothing
and that the clothing was properly
marked, and they made acquisitions and
saw il served out. a midshipman pre-
sided when Observation-Disclosures" served
the rations TO the messes, and when the
liquor ration was served he saw that none
OF the crew doubled the tub.'
When in port midshipmen were always
sent in charge of ships boats, the cap
tain's gig being at times in charge of the
coXSwain; the middle, who was the
captains aid, was then sent only when
there was some special duty. Vet there
were some persons who had the strange
idea that midshipmen had nothing to do
but 'sit under the lee of the longboat
and let the wind blow them along' The
hammock bows were their rough attend
ants; when the hammocks were piped
down they brought those of the young
gentlemen as midShipmen were styled,
and at 1850 A. NJ. took them on deck and
slowed them in the nettings; when their
wet clothing was 10 be dried on deck
they attended To that, and in long voy-
ages they essayed To wash the under
clothing, which would have hardly
passed muster if coming from laundry
The hammoclS-boy was always amply re-
warded for his services, and in bad
weather had an additional glass of grog,
which then formed q part of their ration
The Steerage was at that time the apart
ment of the mldshlpmen and the assist
ant surgeon. It was quite small and
often oyercrowGed. In q frigate or line
of-battle ship ray of sunlight rarely
penetrated the apartment. When at sea
the rude alr-portS were closed by a heavy
oak piece which was on hinges, and con-
sequently almost invariably leaked when
the vessel rolled heavily in seaway.
Subjected to common discomforts and
dangers, having common pastimes and
pursuits, and visiting the shore as COM
panions, it is not strange that these navy
youths grew up with an affection for each
other that never left them during life. /
have never seen a fist ght between them.
Any indignity shown was followed by a
challenge, and duel with ships pistols
followed. The weapons were so hard on
the triggers and so rude in the sights
that to shit barn door, with a ball at a
distance of twenty yards was about all
that could be counted on in accuracy of
aim.
The voyages We're for three years. Our
principal force was kept in the Mediter-
Tanean Sea. some part of it visiting at