The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-25
CAMP NOTES.
Texans Visited the Torpedo Boat
Porter--A Description of 1t.

POrter--A Description OF II.
Especial Correspondence of The Post.)
Mobile, Ala. May 90. --The feeling that
steals over one as he stands on the deck of
a vessel which, only few days before, has
actually participated in battle of the pres
ent war between the United States and
Spain, is an indescribabe one The wills
Ting Of shot. the scream of bursting she'll
the roar of the guns, the shrieks OF the
wounded, the calm precision with which
every movement of the vessel and her ar
mament is drected-all these things, and
more can be imagined; and when they are
there Genes to one the fun realization OF
the danger into which the fearless men OF
the United States navy go when they are
ordered to do so, Grim vsagcd war seems
all the more terrible and peace all the more
to be desired.
Such were the emotions of many OF the
Texas soldiers who were yesterday per-
mitted to go aboard the torpedo boat Pos-
ter. Lieutenant Fremont, which Is now IN
dry dock at Mobile undergoing repairs
made necessary by the rough work she
has been compelled to do during the past
few weeks. The trim little craft lies high
and dry in her big wooden casing Just Two
blocks south of the Louisville and NASH
vile depot and in answer to an invitation
extended by her commander to the ofhcors
In camp here, number OF people VISITED
her yesterday. many OF whom mad never
before seen any part of the navy when is
now maneuyering In West Indian waters
in search of Admiral Cervera and his fol-
lowers.
The general public was not admitted
without special permits, but every man
who wore blue uniform was heartily
welcomed by the officers and men on ooard'
The Post correspondent called at the
wharf yesterday afternoon about 3 O'Clock
and after making the acquaintance OF the
healthy locking tar who guarded the gang
nlank which led from the edge OF the dry
dock To the steel deck of the little vessel,
was conducted into the forward cabin
where Ensign ellis, the Porter's second Of
6cer. was found. At that particular mo
ment he was engaged in dispensing hospi-
| talitv in the genuine Southern manner 10
pair Of officers of the Second cavalry
| n s A. Mr.. ellis, after extending o
| hearty greeting and inquiring after the
health of Colonel Mabry, whom he met a.
| Galveston on The occasion Of the first visi
| of the hattleship Texas lc that port. lnVltef
| the party on deck and proceeded 70 ex'
! rlain in detail the operations of the death
| dealing craft He not only took particular
rains tn make matters pleasant tor M
guests. but he want to all sorts OF trouble
| In working the mechanism OF his guns an'
| aprara tus and his hearty laush ana tx
| trenle good humor proved so Infectious tns
| one soon lost sight Of the fact that th'
acquaintance was a very re-ent one
| The Porter arrived Saturday mornln'
! from Kew West and was Immediately pu
! in dry deck. Her Bottom needed scrapihg
some nainting was TO be done and some
her gear was slightly out of order MS
result Of the hard service she has seer
lately.
| she has been mlnutely described IN IN
columns of The Post. at different times
hi, !, may not be unintercsting to 50.
| something more about her just at present
| sbe ,s enc OF the swiftest vessels IN I'M
navy having an average sTeei OF thirty
enc KNOTS or about thirty-fye miles, pc
| ho,,r Her armament consists OF four rapi'
| IRE Hotrhkiss one -pcunders, arranged teFe
afr and amidships. These. OF course ar
in addition to four Whitehead torpedoes
| three of which are carried in the eases o.
dsck and the other held in reserve a..
these wonderful engines OF desu1cliol
nays received considerable Alteration AT ~
har5s ~ the newspapers and MAGAZINES Q
The country. but they must be seen ln oius
~ have their capabilities fully apprecisieu
En~,en ellis was kind enough 70 exnipi