The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-06-03
- ooon 80 ALL1ANcr-
Nc Sturlicr Wan-o'-war in the Navy,
Alwavs Read Tor G. Cruise.

f.
day afternoon after hazardous VOYAGE.
covering ] * miles in distance and three
hours time No lives yverc lost.
Having received orders 70 proceed 10
Nicaragua TO protect American interests
in that revolutionary country. Commander
Whiting made his peace with his maker.
buclSled on his life prcserver and started
forth The populace OF Vallejo suspended
the poker game and fioczcd down TO the
wharf 70 see the Alliance venture into
deep water. All went well with the good
ship until she arrived opposite the North
Vallejo wharf, and then something hap
pened.
.Phit J" was the sound that came from
below
Commander Whiting took a firm grip
on his Bible and rolled his eyes aloft.
The populace on the wharf held its
breath
What is the matter down thereY,
yelled the commander.
Nothing much, ~ replied the chief en-
rineer. 1.-TWO boiler heads are blown of,
that is all"
We'll, use the other two boilers. - was
the order; we'll get to Nicaragua Or
ahem well" 1t took something like an
hour and half 20 get the consent of the
two remaining boilers to make steam
without blowing up, and then the Ali
ance started on her lone two-boilerless
way She went at least 200 yards before
it became necessary to stop again
This time the chief engineer reported
that he could not tell if there was any
water in the boilers, for the simple reason
that the walking delegate Of the water
gauges had ordered strike If there was
water in the boilers the fact was kept a
dark secret between the boilers and the
water gauges There was considerable
tinkering with the gauges, accompanied
by ornamental language, but they yielded
up the secret at last. There was water in
the boilers. Delay, half an hour
Once again the Alliance made a start
for Nicaragua. The chaplain moved
around the forecastle distributing comfort
and tracts to the crew. He did much
good. for those were trying moments.
About mile and a half from the navy
yard is a light house The Alliance prob
ably has a deep affection for the light
house, for she positively refused to bulge
past it, and gave vent to deep emotion.
She persisted in turning her nose around
toward the yard, and declined to be
forced Nicaraguaward. A man with an
AK went over the stern and thumped
away at the rudder for awhile, after
which the ship consented to head down
stream, but then something else hap
pened.
Far down in the bowels of the ship queer
sounds were heard. There was a crack
ing and groaning and crinking and
humping and at last a great crash The
boatswain was just about to pipe all hands
to prayers when up bobbed the chief en-
gineer again.
Engines broke down, sir" he told the
commander. I'VE can't proceed on the
voyage"
The commander looked thoughtful but
determined.
Crack on the sails" he said; ''as 1
said, we'll go to Nicaragua or somewhere
else.i
Then the sailing master had a few
pertinent remarks to make.
I'VE couldn't move an inch minute in
this wind" said he there is no use
trying to reach Nicaragua by sailing. We
might fetch up in Alaska
There was still one thing left. They
could return to the navy yard. In a short
time the Alliance was again at her berth.
During the afternoon the. life insurance
agents did lively work canceling the
policies of her crew.
Like all true-hearted sailors Com
mander Whiting is loyal to his ship and
that is why he yesterday scotfed at the
suggestion that there was something
wrong with the Alliance.
Why, sir he exclaimed, ''therc is not
a more seaworthy vessel in the navy Her
timbers are sound her hull is strong and
she is as safe as an iron-clad"
Just then something happened that
made Commander Whiting turn red in the
face. There was rap on the door and in
response to the commanders invitation
an officer entered.
We'll, Mr. Porter, what is it?" asked
the commander.
She has sprung aleak, sir, - responded
Mr.. Porter.
Commander Whiting looked embar-
rassed and glanced slyly at the inter
viewer.
"Wherei is it this time?" he asked with
the accent on the this
In the little passageway just abaft the
ward room and just below the water line,
sir"
is there much Of a streaml"
"A little larger than my finger, sir; but
there is plenty of water in already"
Pump out the water and notify Mr.
Howison Of the leak" ordered the com
mander.
Mr.. Howison is the captain of the guard
at Mare Island the repalrer whose handi-
work has been remarked on numerous oc-
casions.
1t was from Marc Island that the Iro-
quois started for Samoa and reached Pu-
get sound.
At the navy yard the credit for the re-
markable cruise of the Alliance is gener-
ously given to the navy department at
Washington. They say that telegram
from Washington, received on Thursday,
inquired when the Alliance could be made
ready for sea. 1t was estimated that the
10Th of this month would be a reasonable
time. Another telegram asked for a
shortening of the time, so the 18th was
suggested. Then came another wire per
emptorily ordering the ship to sea i'm
mediately
There was nothing for it but 70 obey, so
with little more tinkering 10 the ma
chlnery and only twenty minutes trial Of
the engines and boilers at the dock she
started on her last cruise. If sufficient
time had been allowed for repairs, the
navy yard people say everything would
have been all right To-day she will
make another start and the crew are
hopeless looking set of men
It's pity to waste so much good ma
terial," remarked one of the sailors.
The machinery and boilers would make
great nails, and there's wood enough for
thousands Of shingles in the hull.
CLAIMS A HUNDRED MILLIONS.