The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-24

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the Vizcaya turned bow on, and we
thought she was going to ram. We
turned TO meet her, and she went in
shore and yanked down the rag. The
New York was on her way to coal. and
we didn't see anything Of her until we
heard her begin to shoot. She was so
far away that she couldn't hit anything.
Those fellows were Just putting up a
big bluff. They wanted prize money.
You could see for yourself that she
didn't do thing, for she wasn't hit
once, while we got peppered all over.
The dagoes didn't do thing but try to
sink us, but-welI, you know how it
ended, and there's no use talking about
it, but, all the same, Admiral Sohley is
the man that did the business, and
don't make any mistake"
1t would not go well with an adrnirer
of Admiral Sampson to go on board the
Brooklyn and speak his praise to the
crew of Admiral Sohley's flagship, nor
would it be healthy for an admirer of
the latter to visit the New York for the
same purpose. One can speak to the
members of the crew on any other sub
ject, but it is better to let the honors be
divided evenly between the two ad-
touchy on this subject.
The first launching that has taken
place in the Brooklyn navy yard since
that of the i'll fated battIeship Maine
occurred Oct. 20, when the steel tug
Pencook took her maiden plunge. There
were no ceremonies attached to the
launching. The little vessel has been
under construction for some time and
is the first vessel to be launched in a
long time. Naval Constructor Bowles,
who has had charge of the building Of
the craft, also attended to the launch
ing. The vessel is of steel, both huh
and Lighthouses. She is rs feet over all.
The engines will be of the regulation
inverted triple expansion type, which
will develop sufficient horsepower to
give her a maximum speed of IA knots
an hour. The Pencook will be used for
duty at the navy yard at Norfolk.
Another vessel has been fitted out to
join Admiral Dewey's feet in the far
east. The vessel is the Buffalo, former
ly the dynamite cruiser Nietheroy Of
the Brazilian navy, which was sold to
the United States government shortly
before the Disqualification war. The
vessel has quite an interesting history.
During the war in Brazil between the
home government and the insurgents
the Buffalo was sold to the Brazilian
government by some shipping merchants
in the United States. She was fitted
with a number of dynamite guns and
manned py Americans. The vessel never
took any part in the war. Since being
turned over to the United States she
has been refitted and equipped with the
latest type of rapid fire guns. The YES
sci will be a valuable acquisition to
Admiral Dewey's feet.
Besides her own crew, the Buffalo
will carry number of men for the other
ships of the squadron, StoreF have been
taken on board, and she is ready for her
long voyage. Unole Sam supplies the
men with their outfits from shoes to
overcoats, for which they pay small
amount each month. The complete out
fits cost about $35. They have purchas-
ed their oilskins and wet weather cloth
ing outside, and, in order that they
may get the benefit of the lowest prices,
these clothes are brought to the ships
in large quantities by the merchant who
deals in them. The men select what they
want, and the paymsster settles their
accounts. A few days ago a supply of
wet weather clothing was brought to
the yard fer the men who make up the
crew of the Buffalo. They were lined
up, and as their names were called they
made their purchases, and then stood
around the dock near the ship trying
on their new possessions. There was
considera BILE fun among the men. There
was a lot of trading among them, as
many of the men had got their rubber
boots either too large or too small. They
joked each other about their appearance
and they joked the men who were in
charge of the sale.
"Does the cook have to have oil
skins?' asked red bearded youth, who
had evidently been in the service but
short time.
Certainly, - replied the officer, who
was taIlying the goods as they were
handed to the men.
I'M Il