The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-22
HE'S WITH THE CONCORD
An Interesting Letter From As
sistant Engineer Smith.
LIFE ON THE BIG GUNBOAI
Royalty Entertained 1t Honoiuiu-Dsw-
ey's Thorough Work at Maniia-Pov-
srty and Degradation OF the
Chinese Coolies.

~ ST. fDittrDI otlltn VI
the university has received his first
letter from his brother. ]. Lee. who
Joined Dewey's command as assistant
engineer. starting from Mare island
navy yard soon after the battle of Ma
Mia bay. The letter was written from
Hong Kong. whittier he had gone on
his assigned ship. the U. s. s. Concord,
where the ship was dry docked to clean
and paint the bottom.
Mr. Smith graduated from Cornell I'm
1896 as a mechanical engineer and re-
ceived his commission i'm the navy as
the result OF examination The letter is
interesting. as 1t gives a view OF the
life n duties on our ships of war as
well as telling OF the eastern lands.
The Standard is allowed to produce
some extracts from this letter. which is
dated Hong Kong. Sept. 3, 1898:
Il think my last letter TO you was
from Honolulu. n I hope to receive
one from you by the next mail steamer.
i enjoyed every minute of our IL days
stop In Honolulu. and was very sorry
to go on before the flag was raised. We
left the harbor there Just as the Phila-
delphia came In with General Otis on
board. The people there entertained us
most royalty and certainly those of the
Hawaiians that I met are admirable
adtuncts to our great and glorious
union. The trip from there was I'M
eventful. as we had smooth sea and
good weather all of the way.
"On our arrival at Manila I was as
signed to this ship, the u. S. 5. Concord.
gunboat Of l. 200 tons displacement. with
engines OF $500 horse power. She was
originally one OF the White squadron,
until she was painted. I was very for
tunate In getting this assignment, not
only because the Junior officers mess
with and receive the same accommoda-
lions as the ward room officers, but be-
cause she is one of the smaller boats
of the squadron. with economical EN-
gines. n does most of the cruising.
Thus l Will get a great cal OF ex-
perience aboard her.
Il came aboard at Cavite on Aug. %
and did not get a chance TO go ashore
and see Manila before we left for this
place. We were near the wrecks of
the once Spanish navy. and there Is no
question about the ~thoroughness of the
admirals work. Hobson would have a
sorry job raising ships at Manila. We |
left on the 2Sth for Hong Kong 10 dry
dock and paint the ships bottom. and
arrived on the 3lst. The trip over went
very smoothly. 1 had the 3 to 8 watch
day and night and I I'm just beginning
to feel at home in the engine room.
We got out of dock this morning ard |
are going to coal tomorrow. which will
take nearly, IL not quite. all day. ]
over to the Kowloon coal sheds
watching that the coolies loaded the
lighter with the right coal. Cinnamon !
are scoundrels and will cheat a man
out Orwell, coal. anyway.
You cannot imagine the abject pow
OF the coolie class here. There Is a
population that lives on water In
l have seen a family of nine
living In one boat and they had place
for a few chickens besides. "
Well. now that peace has been declared
! suppose I am liable to be ordered
home at any time. but | am hoping
l may be at least allowed to finish
the cruise OF this ship. which will take
about a year and a half. Thus far I
enjoyed II very much I'm the navy.
The duties are not only agreeable, but
work is excellent experience for me.
officers are a fine set OF gentlemen.
engineering force consists OF the
chief engineer. @. Il. Ransom; the past
engineer. ii. w. Jones. two
fine men to meet and to work under.
and the assistant engineer. yours truly.
j am of Importance enough to have a
servant. Think of IL! A Chinaman who
shines my shoes. brushes my clothes.
prepares my bath. keeps the room I'm
order: in fact. that Chinaman is under
all OF the time.
The crew was given a 4s hours cave
In this port In two liberty parties. The
OF the first party vas up this
morning at 10 O'Clock and nearly all re-
turned when the remainder were turned
loose. Those that returned were in good
shape, considering the fact that IL was
the first time In four months that they
had been ashore. I I'VE not been
ashore yet, but expect TO go on Monday
TO see the city and get some memen-
toes. In the evening we start bach for
n will anchor close to the city
for some time. i expect. 1 will then
write you more about h place and it's
inhabitants. who. by the way. may yet
to take a licking from Uncle Sam
before they will behave themselves.
My address will be Asiatic squadron"