Evening journal., 1898-09-02
NERVE IN THE NAVY.
There Are No Cowards Among
Uncle Sam's Seamen.
No Pale Faces or signs OF Fear when
They Got Ready for Action hat
Everyone Is Eager for
the hattie.

Before the beginning Of hostilities
with Spain, when the ships company
was drilled in preparing the ship for
action, the men all took their stations
promptly, and each part of the ma
chinery Of the great engine Of war was
quickly manned, and in very few min
utes everything was ready for action
To an onlooker the quiclness and pre-
cision with which ench man took his
station seemed marvellous. If these
same people could see the actions Of
the same men when general quarters"
IS sounded, and there Is reason 10 be-
lievc an engagement is imminent, they
would scarcely believe their eyes. Now
enthusiasm and spirit dominate every
thing. Each man knows that on the
way his work is dong depends in
measure the outcome of the conflict.
When everything is made ready, am
munition hoisted, guns loadea and
manned, there comes a period of sus-
pense, calm before the storm, so 70
speak. Looking around the decks no
sign of fear can be discovered; there
are no pale or anxious faces TO be seen,
nobody seems to be thinking of home;
every thought is for the present. Here
and there the "jackies" arc cracking
jokes; the men at the guns that will be
engaged seem the most contented of
all; their eompanions on the unen-
gagged side look sorrowful in comparl-
son, and many little oath is dropped
akouf barI l,,olr lr f1.ou,
A period of expectancy now ensues.
The nerves assume state of tension.
which Is relieved as soon as the gun Is
fred. The crew now settle down 20
work. The first few shells from the
enemy cause comment; when a puff Of
smoke from an opponents gun is seen
there are some that stop momentarily
and watch for the destination of the
shell. and feel relieved when they see
column Of water rise out Of the sea.
When the first she'll whizzes overhead
almost everybody can be seen TO duck.
This is entirely reflex act, and is no
sign of fear. Soon all thought of the
enemy's shells passes away, and the
men at the guns have eyes for their
own shells only. Tley know that the
best defense is well-directed fire.
Each shot from the guns is noted, and
when the range is accurately deter
mined the Yankee craftsmanship be-
comes evident.
At Santiago the shooting from the
New York was wonderful In its ac-
curaoy, she'll after shell being dropped
r exactly in the right spot, and the gum
ners and others sent up shout each
time q cloud composed Of guns and
dusty Dons arose out Of a Spanish bat
b terry. The excitement Of action for
: those who can see what is going on dis
. pels any nervous strnin that may have
existed.
Below the decks, down In the engine
and fire rooms, in the coal bunkers and
magazines, there are many men work
ing away, seeing nothing and hearing
only the reports Of the guns and ex-
ploding shells. If the engagement be
with q ship, they cannot tell at what
moment o torpedo will come crashing
IN through the vessels side, or II the
ship be entering harbor, at what in
stant the ships bottom will be blown
) upward by mine. These are the peo-
pie whose nerves are put to strong
: test. But they never murmur, and so
] far no man in the American navy has
given in to fear.
The action over, ard the enemy's for
b tifcations reduced, there is an air OF
satisfaction visible everywhere. Men
can be heard discussing the different
shots and talking about the target
practice, and wondering when they
will get some more. When secure
Is sounded and retreat" has gone, the
men go about their duties as II moth
ing had happened. Looking around
they can be seen writing. playing
5 cards, reading and sleeping quietly.
One of the best examples OF the
: pluck and nerve in the American
a squadron was made manifest when q
e crew was wanted by Hobson TO take
the Merrimnc into the harbor at San.
! tiago and sink her In the channel. Tho
fate Of the men who were TO go on
the expedition seemed TO be sealed, as
, the chances of getting through alive
apparently were very slim. There was
no call for volunteers; none was need.
b ed; for as soon as IL became known
that the Merrimnc wns TO go in ON ia
perilous trip, practically all OF the Off
GERS and men in the feet volunteered
and many were the Disappointment
when the seven heroes were chosen.
The war, so far as the navy is con
cerned, has been devoid Of many Of iis
supposed horrors, and although the
men have been on the larger ships foi
six months without getting ashore
there are few, II any, who would &c
! home If they had the chance before the
final battle is fought.-Medical News
+ You Can't Always Tell.