Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-06-10
BROWNSON'S SMILE.
A STORY OF THE COMMANDER THAT
SAlLORMEN LOVE TO TELL.

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surgont Admiral Called u "BlookAde."
An Incident That PIeases Men Who
Have Seen Smiling Men Fight.
1t was in January, 1894, that the
civil war In Brazil was coming to oil
max In the harbor at Rio. Admiral da
Cana Of the insurgents was In the har.
Dor with several ships of war. The gov
eminent held the city, but while the in
surgent admiral held the water no ship.
ping could go up to the front AZ long as
he said it couldn't, and he said no.
Various governments were affected by
this embargo-"b blockade" the admiral
called it. Great Britain was concerned
chiefly, hut the United States was
good second. with Germany and other
nations AS we'll.
Europe looked to America to do some
thing in the matter and was naturally
diffident about interfering In family
rows on this side of the water. At last
Admiral Benham was sent down to take
charge Of the United States fleet in Rio
harbor. The flagship was the San Fran
cisco, and on Sunday. Jan. 28, Admiral
Benham called on his captains to come
aboard. Among them was Commander
Brownson Of the Detroit. 1t Is said that
after the conference this commander
came back to his ship smiling However
that may be, no certainly smiled next
morning. just after O'Clock that even
ing-it was calm as could be, almost
the Yankee naval ships were seen to be
in hustle. The canvas awnings faded
away, and in the night certain sounds
were heard aboard them, at which vari-
GUS listeners put their hands cup shaped
behind their ears to listen harder. On
the morning Of the 29th there was IA
change in the appearance Of the Yankee
fleet. 1t had taken Off its coat, waist
coat and shirt 20 to speak, and was just
eying itself when day dawned to see
how good its training had been.
The insurgent ships Aquidaban and
Tamandare were up the bay above Vi
ana island with their cables short,
ready to trip. The Trajano and Guiana
bara, III we'll AZ the feet Of armed tugs,
were crowded with men from the gar
risons Of Cobras and Villegaigon. The
Liberdade flew the little blue ensign,
for Admiral do CANA was aboard her.
lying with the Trajano and Guanabara
north Of Enchados island, few yards
from the American bark Amy, one of
the boats kept out by the blockade. The
Parahyba was lying with its teeth, no
to speak, ut the throat Of the Yankee
barkentine Good News.
Commander Brownson ON the Detroit
got his ship under way. having hoisted
anchor at o'clock, and headed toward
the city between Enchados and Cobras
islands Her crew was at her guns,
and as eager u lot of men AZ one could
see anywhere at that time The anchor
got fouled in the Detroit's hawse hole,
and that was ample excuse for proceed
ing slowly, which was convenient,
while couple Of insurgent tugs made
o sputter at the northern littoral of the |
city, AZ they had been doing long |
time. After "a couple Of men had been |
killed aboard the tugs they drew back, |
and the Detroit, with everything clear,
rounded Enohados island and came
along starboard side to starboard Of the |
Trajano. The men looked through their |
sights and then up at Commander |
nrowhsoh on tho pridBe' Inc story OF
"hat they 10" III tranitioh ih the
navy no" ana Always VIII DO 10 long az
men ike brownson are III command
Inc oommahder was sniiinB'
"A man on inc lraJaho rnlsed mus,
Ket ana hreu puilet over the hoaus OF
sailors puliihg away ID poat WIN
line irom inc Amy TO snip at hhohor
that tho Amy might DO warped TO inc
fofblddcn docks. TWO hehVy lnBurRent |