The Worcester spy., 1898-10-08

and every new change has added to it
an advancement for the doughty young
sailor. Although but just turned twen-
ty-flVe, Ensign Earle has seen more
actual fighting and been in command
during more stirring scenes than many
an officer that has been in Uncle Sam 9
navy for score Of years.
From the time of his graduation
from the naval academy in June 1896,
until early in April Of the present year,
Mr. Earle was cadet on the Massa-
chusetts. 1t was while OH board this
ship that he obtained his first actual
training, and two years spent aboard
her gave him an insight into the man.
ming of large guns and the conduct of
men.
Early in May of this year he was
promoted to the grade of ensign ana
placed on the Hornet, and it was while
on this boat that he saw actual fight
ing in the late war Late in Septem-
Der he was transferred to the modern
battleship San Francisco, his naval
home today.
This steady but gradual promotion
in the navy has not changed the boy
of few years ago in the least, and
no one, to see him today, would sus-
pect that he had stood upon the bridge
in an important naval battle and had
charge Of the conduct of his subordi-
mates.
Like all officers in the service, En-
sign Earle was somewhat reluctant to
talk in detail in regard to the conduct
of the war. So far as being able to
judge of the condition of the land
forces and their treatment, he had lit
tie actual means of observation He
did, however, come in contact with the
volunteer seamen on the Hornet. and
he is prepared to say that they were
as good as any, after few weeks ex-
perience.
All Of the petty officers and a major
ity Of the complement of the Hornet
were taken on at New York when the
ship sailed for Cuban waters, and
the time during the journey to Key
West was employed, as Ensign Earle
expresses it, in clicking the men into
shape" On the first day out, they
were put through the routine duties,
such as manning the guns, and by the
time that the Hornet went into service,
the men were as proficient in the man
ual as any men who are admitted into
the service.
The day that war was declared, the
Hornet Joined the north blockading
fleet, and was with that squadron un-
til the latter part of May. During
larger portion of this time the Hornet
was stationed off Matanzas. He re-
lates with much enthusiasm the she'll
ing of blockhouses along the coast and
the constant anxiety the men were in
during the time the blockade was in
force.
Early last June the Hornet was
transferred to the south blockading
squadron, whose patrol kept them con-
stantly, plying between Santiago and
the Isle of Pines 1t was on June 30th
that Earle saw his first actual engage
rnent at the battle of Manzanillo. 1t
was an important engagement between
six Spanish gunboats and three of our
own navy. He says that for about
50 minutes the lighting was almost con-
slant. As a result, the Spanish lost
one of their gunboats. and one of the
sloops of the enemy, loaded with dis
abled soldiers, was rendered helpless
and obliged to retreat.
Earle occupied q position on the
bridge, and at the time that the Hor
nets main steam pipe was carried
away by a shell, was in some dan
Since .he close of the war the Hor-
net has been stationed in Hampton
Regarding the equipment that the
country should maintain, Earle has his
own personal views, and. like every
other man in authority, he is some
what reluctant to express them in
print. He was willing to say, never
theless. that a full complement of bat
tie ships was the best fighting force
that a nation could possibly have in
any emergency. For the harbor de-
fense there will have to be certain
number Of light draft gunboats such as
were sent to do service in the harbors
OF Cuba. These boats are of about
eight feet draught with very heavy
armament. OF the Cubans and insur-
gents. he has little to say except that
fhey appeared lazy and indolent, as
ready to fight as to work, and ever
ready to appropriate anything In sight.
AR and Mrs Earle will remain until