The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-05

Items Of Interest About the Dofngs OF
our Sailor Boys.

Items of Interest About the Doings of
our Sailor Boys.
The following letter received from
one of u Jolly tars" aboard the
Nantucket was loaned us yesterday for
publication:
Dear Jim
And times goes happily on aboard
the old ship Nantucket The boys still
go through the regular drills and ex-
ercises with no abatement, not with
standing 80 much talk OF peace. The
absorbing topics of conversation are
whether we are soon to be discharged.
sent to the North Carolina coast. or
remain here aboard one of the mont
tors ordered south. l don't think there
is a jolly tar here who doesn't want
to see his relatives and friends. but
on the other hand it will be a pity for
the American navy to lose such a lot
of men, who are now trained n have
learned SO much in SO short a time.
Without the least conceit Wilmington
should be proud of her sailor boys Of
the Naval Reserves as they have
proved their efficiency not only IN
cruisers and pleasure trips. but in ac-
tive service. Many overlook the fact
hat our monitor, which did good ser
vice during the late war, is name
now by u Owl officers from captain
to coal passer, and We are governed
by the navy regulations, which are as
strictly observed as they are on any
ship. When We return you can boast
with true pride that we volunteered
(every mani to do service wherever
sent, and Wilmington can count OF
the Naval Reserves doing the same if
eve needed at home. The boys are
gratified to know that their organiza-
ton at home is being kept up.
Navigator Thomas Morse has NOV
ed his family to a large two story
summer residence on the island just
opposite where we are anchored and
Mr.. Rob Morse, chief machinist, who
was married in Charleston last Mon
day to Miss Ada Furgerson has
brought his bride here and she is also
summering at that beautiful and pic
turesque mansion. Our John" or
chief Boatswain Nate Gotten, acted as
best man at b marriage of our COM
rade. Master at Arms Hodges, who
has been to Wilmington with his wife
and child, who were sick at Port
Royal, has returned.
B~oatswain Mate Burr and Chief Gum
ners Mate Corbett returned this morn
ing from home, accompanied by Oilers
Burriss and Williams, of Southport,
who have been on a visit to their fam
lilies.
We have received six new recruits,
two of them from Duplin county who
arrived during a severe wind storm
and next morning before signing up
thought the work and fare to hard for
them, so they left on the first train
for parts unknown. We have thunder
storms nearly every evening and the
rapidity in housing awnings is a
caution" A number of the crew took
in Beaufort, Paris island, Lands End,
Port Royal and the station yesterday
evening. (Woodpecker) Lane (SquirreD
Plat and Canary bird) Holton are
three lively chaps and you can term
them slick articles after TATTOO"
The Rooster Band" composed of Piver
Rob Williams, Dicksey and Branch,
make pretty music nightly. Painter
Williams has leased the BARRIERS chair
because it is more comfortable than
sitting on deck.
Mr.. James Sprunt has kindly re-
membered the boys again by sending
them five large crates of peaches from
the finest orchard in the state of Geor-
gia. 1 think the best way to thank
such a true friend is in the old adage.
"a friend in need is a friend indeed"
Lieutenant Atkinson, whose pains
taking in the interest of crew is MOTTO
ed by everyone aboard, especially in
the examination and serving of their
meals, has returned from a visit
home. He was missed very much by
the crew.
Father White is termed the will
mingtOn Messenger" and Jas. Sorsby
the New York Journal.
Company G, of Gastonia, arrived
here yesterday from Camp Russell at
Raleigh. They gave the Nantucket
three hearty cheers, which were re-
turned and a dozen of the soldiers Wis
tied us after supper. Among them be-
ing Dukes formerly of the Charlotte
reserves. 1t was pleasant to hear him
recall old occurrences on the cruises
which he was on. The Gastonia boys
say they heard of the Nantucket
North Carolina warship) wherever
they vent and truly we have a jolly
set of tars aboard.