The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-29

mangling the limb and almost tearing it
from the body.
At the parting of the cable the men
stationed in that locality fortunately
sprang out of danger but the officer whose
duties in mooring ship placed him in a
position of peril was unable to escape, and
was thrown down by the heavy weight of
the cable, jerked out of the chain-locker by
by the great anchor falling from the YES
sells bow.
The injured officer was carried to the
ships hospital and the leg amputated at
the knee.
Ensign Malleson, whose sea career is so
quickly closed, entered the Annapolis
Naval Academy from North Carolina May
81 1888, and was ordered to the Olympia
two months ago. He will be taken to the
Marine Hospital at Mare Island and upon
his recovery will be placed upon the re-
tired list.
The first trip of the Olympia has been
unfortunate in many respects, and not
withstanding the part she took in the great
| floral festivals held in the ports she visited
her cruise has not been along path of
roses. At Santa Barbara a gun captain
| named Johnson was instantly killed dur
ing the discharge of a 5-inch rifle.
He was standing at the breech of the gun
Sl8DIlIS the piece, anu upon pressing In6
electric lanyard at the command to fire,
the great gun sprang bodily from its car
rage, falling several feet inboard, tearing
up the deck planking and crushing the I'M
fortunate seaman in a frightful manner.
Upon examination it was learned that
the glycerine cylinder under the piece
which catches and gradually breaks the
recoil, was empty. This let the gun come
back suddenly at the discharge, swapping
hat cfa
the piece.
The men Of the cruiser have complained
bitterly of the action of the commanding
officer in refusing to permit the different
messes to purchase on shore provisions
not served out from the ships stores. This
is a privilege usually accorded to the crews,
and for some mysterious reason orders
have been recently issued by the Navy
Department at Washington which force
the men to confine themselves to the pay
masters diet.
Lieutenant Commander f. W. Sturdy
said yesterday:
1 have never refused to permit the men to
purchase their mess supplies on shore. only
limited the quantity, because, going in ana
and with the ship crowded with visitors, we
could not permit 400 men to fill the vessel with
great mass of shore-purchased provisions, as
they wished to do, and this in the face of the
recent orders from the department. But don't
take my word; take the chief petty officers and
investigate this latest naval horror.
A visit to the mess tables revealed the
fact that Jack of the Olympia does not
revel in epicurean luxuries, and the pota-
toes, the absence of which has caused the
alleged famine, are painfully lacking
! The recent dispatches, which stated that
the men were jumping" the ship like rats,
and about seventy-five had run away. are
greatly exaggerated, as only twelve of the
! crew have deserted.
| Saturday and Sunday were great DAYS
! for the Corinthian yachtsmen at the open
| ing of the aquatic season at Tiburon, and
| m arine history-when it is written-will
glow with the account of the remarkable
occasion.
After the high jinks of the festive rovers
of the main, which lasted far into the Sun
day morn, the boats were manned and the
gallant squadron-led by the flag yacht
Truant, commanded by Commodore Pew
sailed on priyateering cruise for Vallejo.
The fleet took the exceeding perilous route
through Raccoon Straits in the following
order: Pride of the Bay, Harpoon, Mary,
Seven Bells, Crespa, Ramona, FroIic,
Annie, Secret, Pinta, Naiad, Belle, Mist,
Cesne, Clara and Cornelia.
The wind blew freshly in through the
Golden Gate and the white canvas sails
were thrown wing and wing, making a
pretty effect as the natty craft sped away
in line.
At the navy-yard the visitors were re-
ceived by the commandment and staff with
becoming ceremony, and the Uncle Sans
marine station surrendered to the merry
invaders without protest