The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-05-13
A ONCE MIGHTY MAN,
THE "sHiP's wRirEss WAS At one
TIME A VERY GREAT POWER.

TIME A VERY GREAT POWER.
A Legend Of the Amsrioan Navy rrsssa,s
Of Common Seaman whs surprsss., ,
whole Man-of-war From the BiusIacH.
cts to the August Admiral.
The new pay table regulating the emolu
ments Of the enlisted men In the United
States navy shows some very interesting
things. Among others, it illustrates how
the mighty have falleD. Time was when
that person known as ships writer'' wa.
a man Of considerable Importance on shin
board, and one whose worth received recoc
nition in high rate of pay. To the crew
the first lieutenant is regarded as the pow.
err behind the throne, but In many cases
his writer was a power that was greater
than the throne itself.
The monthly acquisitions for money arr
made out by him, and 1t was n part Of hi.
duty to see that none of the men obtained
more than their conduct entitled them to-
The pay OF all those who serve in the navy
Is Of course regulated by higher author
ity, but the commanding officer of shir
always lays down certain rules which must
be observed BY the men IL they want t.
draw from the paymaster their full month
|ly allowance
Nearly every man-of-war's man has somt
reminiscence to relate of the writers with
whom he has served. One of these tells oil
how an ancient bluejacket once presented
himself, cap in hand, at the writer's Office
That individual, 1t appears, was busy at tbs
time, and after an Intellectual attempt tc
gain hearing the man went forward. He
made another effort and again failed. A
third time he tried it, only to be sharply
told by the writer to go forward, as he did
not have time to talk to him.
BE only went as far forward as the main
mast, the place where all grievances on the
part Of the crew are carried. The officer Of
the watch, who was silently pacing the
quarter deck, soon observed the quiet figure
standing at attention near the mast, and or
approaching him asked what was the
trouble.
II would like to speak to the first lieu.
tenant" said the man carrying his hand te
his cap.
What do you want to speak to the frs,
lieutenant about" inquired the officer,
somewhat nettled that the nature of the
complaint had not been disclosed to him.
well, sir, 1t Is an important matter, and
ALLY about It,"
The officer hesitated moment, ana then
remembering that the navy POPULATIONS pro-
vide that no audience D<sh the executive
officer must be denis. stalked of, knocked
ON the door ot-ele executive and told him
there yvs--- man at the mast who wished to
'-ss him. The executive walked forward,
and after returning the salute of the man
was astonishei to learn that he simply
wanted his permission to speak to the cap
tain.
What in the name of creation do you
want to see the captain about" asked the
dumfounded officer as he hastily recalled
the punishments he had caused to be in
licted without his superior's authority.
"Oh, it's merely private matter sir,n
was the reassuring response, but it is a
very important one to nc, and would like
to speak to the captain about it,"
But can't settle its" asked the execu
tive after satisfying himself that he had
not exceeded his authority and wishing to
save his commander annoyance Tell me
what's the trouble. und will lay the case
before him."
No, sir" persisted the man. II want to
see the captain personally"
After that there was nothing more for
the executive to do but to send the orderly
to the captain with the message that there
was man ut the mast who wanted to
speak to him. 1t was an unusual request,
and that officer did not know what to make
OF 1t, However, he came out of the cabin
and walked to the mast, accompanied by
the executive and the officer of the deck.
What is it you want, my mani" he in
quired as the seaman carried his hand to
his cap.
IF you please, SIR" replied the latter, 81
would like your permission to speak to the
admiral"
What the deuce-what do you want to
see the admiral about" gasped the aston.
ished commander.
Well sir, it is an important matter, and
he is the only man who ciin decide it, and !
ask your permission to speak to him."
The trio Of officers paced the quarter
deck in silence for u few minutes. What
the man wanted none of them could i'm
agine. The captain said he had never heard
of such request being made before, and
the officer of the deck, fresh from the ma
val academy, admitted that he never had
either. After hearing how the man had
gone through the regular and prescribed
channels to gain an audience with the ad-
bihai bnS taptdiu cuuCluueu InuU IL was
best to notify the admiral that there was a
man at the mast who had asked to speak
to him.
Admirals are not easily accessible, and
the request was such a singular one to
come from such a source that the admiral
could hardly credit 1t when the orderly de
livered the message. The captain was sent
for, but he assured his superior that the
mn IN Npn f1nf- nd H., l. 4.
"a formal request to speak to him. No. he
couldn't say what he wanted to see him
about. The man seemed to think that ii
was matter Of such importance TINT only
the admiral should hear it.
The gray bearded officer arose from his
chair, donned his uniform--for it would
not do for him to appear upon the deck OF
bis flagship except III the paescribed uni
form OF the day-and then, n r. drawing
ION his gloves, he sent word to the captain
that he was ready TO see the man. The
captain came on deck, and accom- panied by
the first lieutenant and officer of the deck
the two proceeded to the mast, where the
figure of the seaman was outlined against u
group OF his wondering companions, who
had assembled in the gaugway, curious To
know what it all meant.
well, what's the trouble with YOUR
asked the admiral as the man touched his
cap and stood Mt attention.
"If you please, SIR" replied the seaman,
Il would like permission to speak to the
ships writer"
The result of the interview the legend
does not tell, but it is melancholy to note
in the new navy pay table that the services
of the individual with whom the story deals
are now valued at only S35 a month.-New
York Times.