Evening star., 1898-07-25
TO COOL HIS WARSHIP.
The White Squadron Was Commando
Francis Wilde's Own Idea.

Francis Wf1de's OWN lnea.
From the New York Mail and Express.
Notwithstanding 1t has been so much
written about and SO enthusiastically
praised, the story of how the white squad
ron originated has never yet been told IN
print. Nor would it be now. had 1t not
come. accidentally, into the possession of
the writer.
Commander George Francis Faxon Wilde.
who has just been ordered to the command
of the ram Katahdin. one of the most
wicked and destructive of all the naval
fleet. belonged to the famous class which
entered the Naval Academy in the fall oil
1861. and took the four years course in
three years. Young Wilde was two years
and nine months il getting through he
was graduated In the high honor list, away
at the head of the class. He was It Massa-
chusetts boy, born in the old town OF
Braintree. He very early determined that
he would follow the sea; not as common
sailor, nor in an official capacity, but as a
uidshipman in the navy. In tho autumn
of 1861 he learned that there was to be
an appointment to the Naval Academy
from his district, and applied tor II. lie
was told that he was the eightleth appli-
can't but that. if he chose to take the ez-
animation, he might run his chances.
That did not frighten him. He deter
mined to make the trial. He did not tell
any one what he was going to do. If he
wen, it would be time enough to tell. If he
failed no one would know of his failure but
hin self.
ON the day on which this examination
was to be held, ne walked from Braintree
into Boston, a distance of twelve or fifteen
miles. because he had not money enough
to buy a ticket on the railroad and he
would not ask for it, for fear he would be
obliged to tell his errand to town. He
passed his examination brave}y. There
wasn't the hint of a failure from beginning
to end. He entered the academy, endeav-
oring as earnestly to take high rank in the
class as he had to enter it.
The result was a gain of q year, and
graduation with honors. He began active
sea life at once. He was promoted from
midshipman to ensign in November, 1866,
and a month later was advanced to master.
In 1868 he was made lieutenant, year
later lieutenant commander. In 1885 he
was full commander and was given charge
of the Dolphin, which, at that time, was
attached to the North Atlantic squadron.
1t was while he was on the Dolphin that
he originated the white squadron, for to
this brave commander belongs the honor
of making possible this snowy fleet
In July. 1883. the Dolphin lay in New
York harbor, just off the navy yard. The
weather was intensely hot, even on ship
board, with all the means Of ventilation,
and the heat was almost insupportable.
One day Commander Wide chanced to
touch the side OF the ship, and was burned
by the intense heat. He touched 1t again,
almost blisteriug his hand. The exposed
surface of the ship was like the top of
He sent boat ashore with o. note to Naval
Constructor Wilson, asking him to come
aboard the Dolphin The constructor re-
turned In the boat. Commander Wilde
asked his visitor to lay his hand on the
ships side. He did SO, but quickly with
drew ii.
What do you think of living In a furnace
like that?" asked the commander.
Its terrfble!' said the constructor; sis
there no way of cooling her off"
Il have thought of a way, and you can
help me- l want you to send me some
white paint, with instructions to use 1t on
| this ship"
The constructor looked startled and
grave. Naval regulations declared that all
| warships should be painted black, and this
| daring young man was asking for white
hulk.
Write me an official request to that eff
/ feet" he said, after a moments consider
alton.
The request was written and sent. In the
| meantime the commander had the ships
| surgeon keep a record of the temperature
| of the ship. A week went by; no word
came; the heat grew more intense, and the
| men suffered. Then Commander Wilde
wrote a private note asking why his official
letter had received no reply.
| Back came a supply of white paint, and
| q note, pithy and TO the point.
| Here's your paint, but I shall not give
| you any instruction."
l It was the paint that the commander
| wanted; he could get on without the in
! Structiona. The paint was applied to the