Daily Kennebec journal., 1898-06-02
ABOARD A TORPEDO BOAT.
How II Feels to Be Tossed on the Waters
While Cooped Up in One Of These.

nave ttSttu Inc duN dltdSVS GIL" LIN
hardghips of a trip aboard torpedo
boat, that terror of the sea, for which
it is said Great Britain has to call tor
volunteers when crew is required, SO
full of discomforts is the life aboard
these little craft. While l SympathlZe
to some extent with these complaining
Jackies and agree with them that lie
aboard torpedo boat is not an unal-
loyed dream of happiness, sun 1t has
it's pleasant side. For instance, any
dyspeptic millionaire who has begun
to despair of ever having an appetite
for anything eatable, coaid not do bet
ter than purchase torpedo boat and
put to sea in her at top speed, taking
the good with the bad in the way OF
weather. 1t will be a sure cure for
loss of appetite and inability to digest
wholesome food. says a writer i'll the
Pittsburg Dispa tch.
| have been envying ever since
came ashore the men who can develop
such glorious appetites as the crew of
a torpedo boat. Who would not be
willing to pitch around narrow little
boat during stormy weather in order
to feel as ravenous as wolf at all
kinds of hours. and as light hearted
and clear headed as a gymnast.
When l first stepped aboard the
busy little boat the crew were getting
ready to make a speedy departure on
one of the numerous expeditions IN
connection with their scout duty here.
The officers and men were too busy at
the moment to give any attention TO
me, and so | was left alone to take in
the surroundings. Climbing Singerly
down a hatchway l found myself in a
very cosy square room, about four
yards long by six wide, with just
enough room to stand up in. This
was the ward room. Facing the door
was a stove and a small side board,
with bookcase above. filled with
books on service matters; a paper rack
and wine locker. pipe rack, block,
chronometer box. and one or two little
nicknacks filed up that side
ALL THE ROOM UTILIZED.
on either side of me were the hunks,
of which altogether there were three.
These hunks. though narrow, seemed
very comfortable; they were fitted with
robe was fixed at the head of each
bunk On one side. also, was chart
box and a looking glass. whilst behind
me We're lying pile of sea boots. and
on the bulkheads were hung coats,
mackintoshes. oilskins and sou ives
ters. Glancing up overhead, L saw
campstools. swords. golf-clubs, sticks,
tennis rackets. fiddles for the tables
in rough weather. etc. My friends on
board knew how to pack, evidently,
for not an inch of space was lost.
Having thus completed my inSpcc-
ton of the ward room, | looked out
side; on my left was a very diminutive
pantry. on my right bath room in
like proportions.
| went on deck again. and to my sur
prise. found that all the men We're for
ward. and that We We're quietly
steaming out of the harbor of Key
West.
was standing on the quarterback,
with a six FOUNDER gun on a platform
in front of me, which gun was reflect
ing the sun s rays in my eyes and daz-
zling me. so beautifully clean and
brightly polished was it. Behind me
was a screen. sheltering the after
steering position" fitted up, | found
out later. exactly as the one forward
was There was also a hatch which
led down to the captains cabin, out
side cf which We're Storeroons and
racks for rifles and cutlasscs. The
cabin was "A comfortable little place
and had bunk. wardrobe writing
table. and bookcase. and also a little
bathroom outside. but no stove. The
captain in these ships messcs in the
wardroom. and only uses his cabin fol
sleeping in and for correspondence
work
Walking over the platform, / found
torpedo tube. and alongside it a
hatch. which, on inquiry. ! was told
led to the chief petty officers mess. II
was quite a little place, about half the
size of the Wardroom. The engine
room artiiicers have a similar mess OF
the other side of the deck. Everything
was beautifully clean, and the table
was white from hard scrubbing.
RIG OF THE OFFICERS.
Going further forward / found tha
ltit NdS tIt SdIltN, anu P'NI'it /
stood the ships cook hard at Worl
getting the dinners ready. There Wa
also here a dynamo for supplying clec
tricity to the search light which latte
was placed between the engine room
matches on deck.
Passing the big after funnel. I cam
on an open space, and a couple of blue
jackets. who were splicing wire rope
volunteered the information that thi
was where the foremost torpedo tub
would he placed when the ship wa
used solely as torpedo boat. Here
was Joined by one of the junior Off
rs,who offered to show me round TIL
rest of the ship. as the captain coul'
not leave the bridge for any time.
rather liked the rig ne was in
thick pilot coat. ditto trousers. a foot
hall sweater. with a white silk scarf i
lieu of collar. fairly old cap, heav
sea boots, thick gloves and a pair 0
binoculars slung round his NECK
formed his attire: which, as he wen
forward | could not help thinking wa
for this sort of rough and ready life
absolutely the best he could wear
Between the two foremost tunnels i
the standard compass, with the fla
locker underneath it, and a chan