The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-04-02
THE BIGGEST NAVAL SPREE.
Cruisers Water Casks Filled with Wine
and $50 Men Drunk.

Did you ever heal OF the drunk of
the United States steamship Omaha, or
rather the spree of the Omaha's crew.?
Well, it's a stock naval yarn. but a
good one. and with the extra rare merit
of being true"
The speaker was n gentleman who as
an officer had paced the decks OF many
American warships in many waters.
He continued:
1T was one of the earlier trips of the
cruiser. The orders were for Rio, after
putting into Madeira for supplies. The
season was pleasant and the $50 officers
and men were enjoying the voyage inn
mensely. As the Omaha scudded along,
her machinery working beautifully
and sea easy as a bay. all felt satisfied
with the service. There woul he a
number of warships with acquaintance
aboard at Rio. and we knew their Off
GERS and crews would welcome us and
admire the Omaha. We had her neat
as a lady dressed for a reception.
While we were taking on meat and
vegetables in Madeira our captain con-
ceived the idea of saving coal by filling
up the water tanks from shore. From
the island we could stand into a trade
wind and would with half luck be able
To make a fine run into Rio. BY doing
no condensing and taking advantage of
all sailing chance II was calculated to
make a fuel showing that would gain a
few effective credit marks at Wash
ington.
"A water party of about so. in charge
of petty officers, handled the casks.
They filled themselves with Madeira
wine. then made a common purse and
bought enough of ii to load about half
the casks. The scheme was to have
Madeira oil tap till we reached Rio. As
usual. though Jacky. overreached him
self.
ION a man-of-war. you know, the
halyards are so laid that all the canvas
can be spread at once. Well, 1t was
done this time I'm a fashion that nearly
drove the captain crazy. He was on
the bridge and cursed a blue streak
that poisoned the air and polluted the
sea. He cursed officers and men, the
service. the ships. all countries, the
earth and the universe.
First the men talked as they tangled
the halliards about. For this they were
mildly and then sharply reproved. Next
they sang. Then the officers were COM
PEELED to swear To drown the voice of
the captain. The men staggered around
and did all sorts Of maudlin things.
They fell and rose and fell again. They
tried To fight among themselves. They
talked back TO the officers. cursed the
non-coms and shouted badinage to the
captain. 1t was a pronounced case of
general certain jag and no remedy to
be suggested. At least 150 of the men
were paralyzed drunk and those able Ia
stand still drinking Till the supply was
cut off.
1t is a blessing there was no wealth
er. Not a thing in the way of handling
the ship was lone after she was once
headed. II did rain. 1t was quite a
~downpour, but the hopeless DRINKS, ly-
ing on the decks. slept right through 1t.
From them during the night there were
.r.a,a nnA araaNrl, and m AnanCfanal
attempt at a rally. Several times
bo's'ns blew their pipes I'm a confused.
hating way. without knowing what
was wanted.
A daybreak all hands able assisted
in driving the back to duty.
The spree left them stupid, blear-eyed.
with aching heads and sore bodies and
~a-wondering what the punishment was
going TO be. They a a mighty long
day of il after the remainder OF the
wine was run over the sides.
There was no court-martiaL. No one
was cited or charged or placed In the
brig. The task OF inficting punishment
was too great and the captain had TO
wink at the Omaha's big drunk.
Bringing liquor aboard ship II the
chief Of minor offenses. yet the Jackies
are at IL constantly. i once saw a
smuggler caught In the act In such a
peculiar and striking way that even the
dominic sympathized with him.. He
was assisting with supplies. Every ar
ticle vas inspected as usual when
handed up. The corporal of marines
stuck his nose into a can of milk. fol-
lowed IL up with his fingers and brought
out a whiskey bottle label that vas
floating in plain view. The firewater
container was anchored at the bottom
OF the can. j call this a good hard
luck story, myself