Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-18
STORIES OF SAMPSON,
The Commander of the Atlantic
Squadron Believes in Boat Racing.

The Commander of the Atlantic
Squadron Believes in Boat Racing
From Leslie's Weekly.
Only once in his naval career was Samp-
son heard to use an oatn, and then the
eNpletive was called forth by an excess of
the emulation he had himself inspired
among his command, which was occasion
ing a temporary disregard of orders. From
the first the captain had encouraged boat
racing, and the record made by both the
barge and the gig of the Frisco was ex-
ceptionally fine. Two of the men who COM
posed the crews which won the prizes al
the international regatta held at Norfolk in
1888 now lie buried beneath the wreck of
the Maine. One of the numerous trial races
which the captain encouraged was in pro-
cess off Mare Island between the captains
gig and boat belonging to the United
States steamer Alert when orders Were re-
ceiyed to bring the San Francisco into dock
for cleaning. The tide was strong and it
was only by hard pulling against it that the
operation of bringing the vessel in could be
accomplished In vain the captain reiterat-
time TO be lost: but excitement over the
race was at a high pitch, and all hands
were leaning over the ships rail, watching
and cheering on the battle of oars. The
imperturbable captains patience was at
length exhausted: D it, he exclaimed
1.-The ship is athwart the tide and l cannot
get man 10 pull or an officer to give an
order" Just then shout was borne to his
ears. 1.-The Alert'S boat is aheadn'
WHAT exclaimed Sampson, his own
deep interest in the race breaking through
his irritation at the prevalent lack of DIS
cipline, Il don't believe it!''
And when the joyous applause on board
told that the San Francisco again held the
palm of victory, the captain turned to his
first lieutenant, proud and exultant, saying
Il told you SO; knew our men would wini'
Another incident which evidenced his in
terest in these trials of speed occurred
while the San Francisco was stationed at
CoQuimbo, Chile. The 4th of July had been
celebrated by a regatta, and the crew of
Captain Simpsons gig had beaten the Eng
liSh boatmen of her majesty's ships Mel
pomeae and Liffey. A few weeks after the
Garnet, another English vessel arrived
and it was determined to take the Ameri-
cans down. a little. The Garnet carried q
boat of superior equipment, built in Malta
for racing purposes, which had never been
beaten; but if to make the victory more
certain, the crew practiced daily and the
challenge to the San Francisco was not ex-
tended until the very morning before the
English vessel was to SAIL thus leaving no
time for practice to the intended antago-
nists.
But the challenge was accepted, with the
stipulation that the race was to extend as
Tar as Pelicanos Island, around it, and hack
-gain to shore-a distance of four miles
After some hesitation the English boats
crew agreed On the afternoon of the day
OF challenge Captain Sampson was seated
In his cabin when his coxswafn entered
Captain, he began. with deep earnest
ness, do you want US to win this racer"
why, certainly" responded Sampson
Wen, captain. one OF my men is under