davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

.-rn.re "a no kind Of a naval vessel
4hat could be co~1scicnuous'y recon-
r,c,dcd in time OF war as "a sanaNNlVih
.sre vvlhd CAPTAIN Schlcy one Gay 70 me !"
his inimltable way. but OF an the va
snns craft big and little. that constitute
) modern feet there IS mono (" thoI"us"-
Nv undesirable 20 the searcheI at..'
.afe and easv berth as "a ioTp.uo
r.. wan ON the torpedo boat has thIee-
oa,bs NJ an inch OF steel between
80 "a Tho sea chat BE- hungrily "atch-
- a. chance 10 swallow him. The boat
80 10 cut In two with "a can opener
". o,iv wonld Us walls give WY IN
- - ms,cr before the hrc.of great guns
-n,td dre gums and machine guns ""'
80, rSould not resist a bullet from q
Ssns rlnc. or even from a good-s'@e" ~
volver. ,opv
On an ordinary Vessci 'h'Ie 80,
chance Of getting behlno sougne Tho
might conccivably turn a proJec'"v,
80 81 "A torpedo boat is pracucily III
a. o,cp air. Any shot that strikes the
~reo vim search d. from end TO cnd IKE
~ nh chat there is rivalry to snip
,orno9o boat. though 10 means cei-
,ai, death. Their mission is 10 sirihe a'u
n-in0 down. with n certainty OF laiihs
xr,th the victim. and al going down To-
Ecthcr. ~ into tnree
.,sssee Tho third class is now conslo-
rhsorrto lbov were small enough
- he carried aboard a ship. Tor iHoy
90, o-tonncrs. The s'con-class poals
800 about e. tons. They were mtenoed
90 barbor service only. and were NOT
seagoing. craft
hut are intended 90 operate from " oa''
for tho coal and water storage c3pacItl
Is limited. This prccludcs o. torpcoo Ooa'
from cruising moro than seNenty-hNe 70
eighty miles from IFS base oi s"ppu,'
7,his is the Kind u0w relied upon 40 the
Navy.
Fyrst-class boats vary in tonnage from
ne IN t5 tons. in length from 40 TO lo
feet. IN draft from 3 TO \ rect
Tbev are perfectly scaworihy ana can
ride out the heaviest gales. The anna
ment consists of three 20 four ls-lnch
whitehead torpedoos and three or four
-one-pounder rapid-hring guns. In adul-
ton there is a revolver and two or three
rifles for each of the twenty-five 10
thirty men. the rifles supplied with SWORD
bayonets TO repel boarders.
BIG WEAPONS.
The biggest kind OF modern destroyer
has a length Of 20 feet, with n beam or
2s i-2 feet. The horse power is about
300 driving the boat az n speed or thirty
one knots or more. The engines are
triple expansion. with water tube boilers.
Thev carry from seven 10 a hundred tons
Of coal. and at a speed CT eight or nine
knots can keep the sea for a week; 50
they are independent of coaling in a voy-
aee of between 1900 and 800 miles. They
carry a crew Of OF about three or four
officers and about forty men. The en-
efnes. as you can see, are all out of pro-
portion TO the craft they drive.
The torpedo hotlla in the war heet
lvInr off Kew West Is a little fleet OF
ttself. commanded by Lieutenant Com
mander W. w. Kimball. Ii consists OF
the Foote. Lieutenant W. L. Rogers
commanding. Ensign r.. II. Jackson;
the Cushing. Lieutenant A. Gleaves COM
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

or new liquors. to take OF what ma be
termed the rough edegc. and TO produce by
artificial means the ripe, mellow naVor
which otherwise comes only with age.
II is an ~undeniable fact that a good
prune juice will transform r. rough. new
whiskey into Il smooth. palatable liquor.
while IL would puzzle even an expert 20
decide that its mellownoss had not been
acquired by age.
Naturally any material which produ-
ces such results is a valuable aid 10
blenders, and consequently there is a vast
quantity Of IL used annually. though
there are many who prefer 20 use ma
laga, sherry. peach extracts. or some
other compound. but one feels safe IN
saying that the useis Of prune juice are
IN "A majority.
There r several New York firms en-
gagged in the manufacture OF prune juice
while Others import IL from Europe. The
The basis OF an the better brands or
prune Juice is a light fermented wine, to
which are added certain proportions OF
sugar syrup and prune extract, with suf-
fclent high-proof spirit 20 bring the mix
ture up 20 "A desired alcoholic strength,
and coloring matter 10 give it the proper
shade. Some manufacturers also use
certain chemicals. regarding the proper
ties and effects OF which they maintain
"A profound secrecy. each claiming for the
article which they produce a superiority
over all others.
However. the object Of all is the same,
viz, TO supply "A blending wine which
will. with the least possible reduction IN
the proof. give 20 new whiskeys the bOu-
quet OF aged goods. IN. y. sun.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

David killing his Goliath. It runs up 10
him. strikes him. strikes again and again,
and then either falls or sees the enemy
80 down.
No greater heroism is required than
this for any task OF modern times.
The crew IS a picked one. Fat men are
not wanted aboard topedo boats, nor men
who tower head and shoulders above the
average crowd. Space is so valuable on
one of these little marine %sprinters that
the cook sleeps in the pantry and the
men have to go ashore TO salute their
officers. All dress in o%verhauls like la
borers. and look more like brick layers
than marines.
II is always considered important in
warfare 10 bring the men into action in
good physlscal coalition. well fed, com
Portable and with plenty Of sleep. Ser
vice on a torpedo boat IS destructive TO
an tbese reouirements. The terrific vi
bration Of the paper-shelled hull. plung-
ing through the water at the sped of an
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
nOplzONTAL SECTION

express train. unsettles the strongest
stomach Ii is impossible 10 eat or sleep
with comfort-in fact, in the British
naval manoeuvres the favorite menu for
tho officers Of torpedo boats has been
confined TO egg-nog
The service, even in peaceful exercises,
Is so arduous that the crews have 10 be
changed at intervals OF a few days.
The torpedo boat lies alongside a crui-
ser until wanted. Then its crew Is
called out 10 do or die. There is a war
ship on the horizon. 1t has got to be de-
stroyed. Who can do IL except the tor
pedo!
THE BATTLE.
The captain looks at his picked crew.
Ready boys means ready for death.
Talk about desperation in the charge OF
the light brigade-there were hundreds
OF survivors at that charge. but here is
a dash from which nobody expects TO
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

return alive. and in which the only hope
OF the men who make il Is that they
may hold out long enough TO bring their
enemy down with them.
Silently the torpcdoes are holsted from
below. the war heads are fitted In place
and the launching tubes made ready.
Quiet groups stand by the rapid fire guns.
Suddenly a search light flashes on the
horizon. il sweeps the sea from side TO
side. and az last II touches the torpedo
boat and remains fastened upon II vhile
every man is outlined In merciiess sharp
ness. II il the searchlight Of the enemy.
The pcnt-up steam crows into the cylin-
ders under the lash of the forced draught
and the boat plunges along the pain OF
light on its race OF death. There are two
miles 10 cover before IL will come in
stsiking distance. and already tho
snlashes Of nattering shots In tho water
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

tell tina the enemy's secondary battery
is finding the range.
The nerves of every man on board are
keyed Up tense as harp strings. The eyes
Of the lookouts peer hercely through the
blackness in which. with all lights out,
the hostile battleship lies ready to pour
destruction on anything that approaches.
The method Of attack must now be con-
sidered. There are two ways. one is 10
steam up to about six hundred yards
bows on, stop. fire and then back straight
out. The other is 70 steam up, turn
around, firing from the deck tubes While
turning and steam back at fullest speed.
BY the first plan the boat is under fire
longer. for her backing speed IS consider
ably less than her going ahead speed.
The advantage is that the least surface
of the boat is offered as a target 10 the
enemy.
In the second case the objection is that
while turning. the entire side of the boat
is at the mercy of the enemy's guns,
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

and the boats stern, with steering gear,
etc, is exposed TO damage while running
away. The advantage inthis last method
rests in the opportunity of firing the after
torpedo tubes and in the shorter time the
boat is under fire I'm the danger space.
Like lightning the captain must decide.
THE GUNNER.
All the millions Of money spent on
building ships Of war and organizing the
naval service, all the vast system OF
yards. docks, training schools, coaling
stations and gun factories. all the years
OF time devoted to the education Of Off
GERS and the training of seamen, have for
their one object to enable a man 20 stand
behind a gun and 10 fire IL to the best
effect. The man behind the gun now is
tho more important han the gun itself
or the ship that carries 1t.
What must be the feelings OF this man
when ne runs his eve along the great
barrel of his pee weapon and for the
first time sights an enemy beyond! Ii Is
the moment for which all his previous
training has been the preparation. a. is
the justification Of his existence. For
years he has worked over that gun be-
coming familiar with all its peculiari-
ties. training II on targets, practicing be-
tween times with sub-calibre projectiles
10 save expense, but always working to-
wards this supreme moment.
He has developed his skill until he can
put four shots out of five into a target
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

manding. Ensign +. p. Baldwin; the
ericsson. Lieutenant r. n. Usher COM
manding, Passed Assistant Engineer o.
w. Rooster, Ensign W. Bagley; the Port
err. Lieutenant J. c. Fremont command
ing. Assistant Surgeon NJ. S. Elliott for
the hotilla). Ensign /. V. Gillis; the Du-
O Lieutenant s. s. Wood commanding
Ensign +. II. Clarke. Jr.
The Cushing Is one OF the best known
of the torpedo boats In the navy. II has
the longest cruising record, and is known
all the way from Galveston to Bath, Me.
It's nglne Of $50 horsepower car
drive II % knots Ga knot is 1 1-6 niles an
hour. To do this It's twin screws, each 1
feet Q inches in diameter. must make 40
revolutions a minute. Each OF its en-
gines has I'VE cylinders. increasing In di-
ameter from II 1-2 inches for the high
pressure cylinder 20 p - inches for the
1ow-pressure cylinder. with a stroke OF
IL inches. Each Of tho two water tube
bzollers has $50 tubes. Steam is used AT
a pressure Of go pounds to the square
inch 900 pounds is a good pressure on an
ordinary boiler and the boilers develop
lS20 horsepower.
In dividing such a craft up internally.
usually tho sharp knife edge bow Is shut
Of six or eight feet abaft the stem from
che remainder Of the boat by the col
iision bulkhead. This division is made,
first, because nothing could be slowed
away in so narrow a place so far for
ward, and second, to insure the safety
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
BY One Who Spent Three DAYS Aboard the Torpedo Boat Cushing.

at W thousand yards; but Will his train
ing serve him now. or will buck teVer
shake his nerve and destroy MS ann
Yesterday his record I'm practice might
have been absolute perfection and no.
body outside of his ship would nave
thought anything OF il. To-day the
world is waiting TO hear OF his work.
and two nations are hanging IN feverish
dread on the result.
THE BLOW.
VIII tho responsibility unnerve or be-
wilder him? II an depends on the stun
the man behind the gun IS made OF
The hail of pr0jectiles from the bat
tleship's machine guns Is doing IT'S work
The torpedo boat is riddled; the water IS
pouring through a. dozen leaks; q and
dying men arc lying an about the decks;
the speed is falling off,. But stul the
shots have MISSED the torpedoes. the
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

range OF each other In action. The near
est that any OF the opposing ships In the
great naval battle on the Yalu got 20
zach other was a trihe under two miles,
and what one battleshlp can do 10 an
other at that range is simply beyond cal
culati0n. The naval engagement OF this
era is very largely a matter OF manoeu-
vring-or presenting the smallest possible
target 10 the guns Of the enemy's ships,
and of forcing the enemy 20 present their
biggest hull 10 the range-nnders When
the commander OF a ship In the coming
engagements can c%Ontrive to get In his
work on the enemy's vessels while only
pointing with his nose In their direction
leaving them practically only a razor's
edge target-he is liable TO eat them mp.
But while there is still a drill in the
United States Navy called 'repelling
boarders.' the drill is only retained in the
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
,RpBDo BOAT GwYN. THE SWEETEST DESTROYER EVER BUILT.

premature explosion Of n OF which
would leave not n relic OF the craft or
its crew; still there are men enough,
standing grimly by the tubes. to do tne.r
work. and still the boat ~staggers on to-
ward its prey. At last the moment has
come. Eight hundred yards. The helm
goes hard over, the boat swings o
and from two of her tubes 20 speeding
messengers OF destruction. The enemy's
battleship goes down.
The nation exults over a victory and
thinks itself well off n the torpedo has
one soul left 20 steer her home.
That is a battle aboard a torpedo.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

It's a wonder to me they don't represent
the crews OF the opposing ships IN the
act Of using graphing irons, as they did
In engagements at close quarters In the
days OF the old 70-ton frigstes. As a
matter of fact. If either battleship in an
engagement between vessels OF to-day
got within such a range Of another. or
anything like il, IL would simply be a
matter Of the first shot. One big shell
delivered at such a range would leave
only the debris OF the struck ship float
ing on the water. Modern ships Of war
are rot devised 10 get within n such
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

as a people we are rather r%eticent. so far
as the expression Of feeling goes; young
as we are we are not easily carried of
our feet. But none the less do we love
the flag and respect II; more now, in
fact. than ever. There has never been a
time in the country's history when the
national feeling was so strong as II is
now: never a time when the pride OF cit
izenship here was 50 great.
AS our friend here has observed. we
may not all feel called upon 70 uncover
at every mention Of it. but our devotion
TO the flag is deeper new that ever and
more ignidca New York Sun.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

and some NJ the men standing near
smiled at the young man.
In England" said "a bystander later.
when they play God Save the Queen,
everybody takes off his hat. Why don't
we take of our hats here?"
well. l don't know" said a middle
aged man who had his hat rather jam
med down on his head than otherwise
and whose eyes were g%listening slightly.
Il don't think it's our way so much.
But I don't think we lack affection for
the flag. 1 don't feel that it's necessary
for me to take OH my hat TO II every
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
PRUNE JUICE IN WHISKEY.
1t Makes New Liquor Taste as if il Had
Been MelIowed by Age.

II one looks over the advertisements In
the newspaper devoted TO the interests
of the liquor trade, his curiosity Is likely
10 be aroused by seeing many adveT-
tisements OF prune juice for sale. AS
prune juice is not among the things
which the barroom offers 20 its patrons
either as q beverage by itself or as a
component port Of rickeys. cocktails or
other mixed drinks. the person or IN
quiring mind is naturally led to wonder
why n IS advertised and what part It
plavs in the preparation of alcoholic
beverages. An explanation Of the uses
of prune juice wos recently printed in
the Liquor Trades Journal. II says:
THE object OF using prune juice IN
blending whiskeys Is 10 remove the un-
pleasant smell which is characteristic
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

Is really quite as easy as falling off n log.
for the boat in all her parts is rade as
light as possible. The skin plating e. OF
the thinnest steel. the frames arc o: light
weight. the l~ongitudinals are mere strips
Of metal. SO thin and frail is the con-
siruction Of the beat that II she bumps
or runs into anything she will be bent
out Of her shape. and should her bow
strike any hard obiect-like a floating
spar or the Spite Of a dock-it would be
turned back on itself and twisted all out
Of shape. i'm much the same way as n
stln piece Of paper would be after being
crumpled up in the hand.
DEADLY MISSION.
The mission OF the torpedo boat Is 20
get close TO a warship. fire its shot into
the weakest spot and sink the ship. Ly-
ing low and going az a great rate OF
speed 10 S. supposed TO ACT like % little
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

time, but the flag knows how I feel to-
ward it,"
And I don't think II indicates a lack
OF enthusiasm. either" said another by
stander. In fact, | imagine that We
shall need not to stimulate patriotism IN
this country, but 20 exercise some self
control as "a nation TO keep our generous
Impulses from going too far In one Gree
ton and another. AS a matter or Fact
we are only just now beginning 10 realize
what we are. the greatest nation on the
face Of the earth. We are like n vigorous
young giant when he comes 10 the hrst
realization Of the fulness Of his strength
among men.
our youthful vigor will last. I don't
know how long, how many scores or
years or centuries. during which We shall
ind Il hard work to sit quietly within
the precincts OF our own home. And vet
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

If any other bell You hear. II Is like Inc
sound of two iron bodies coming together.
without tho melody of any note. Its reso-
nance is such that the entire scale Is gone
around before the last sound dies away.
For years the birds have made their
nests iu the Old bell. and the middle. high
up in the bell. is filed with hanging straw
and the skeleton OF last years nest.
When liberty came 20 Cuba the old ben
ringer Of Garcina climbed the skeleton
Of the belfry and. striking the clapper Of
The bell. be rang out a grca. Pin-n-ngt'
that was heard 90 the coast.
The people OF the town had already
heard the glad tidings Of freedom and
those In the little suburbs around came
running OUT OF their houses 10 inquire
what was The matter. Again and again
the old bellriu8cr pounded the clappcr
and again and again 10 rang out IT'S deep.
fun tone. Tho children in the streets
heard the sound and ran out into the
country, crying. cuba Llbre, Cuba
Libre.' And those living IN the country
came into the town 10 know II Il really
could be cuba Libre.
pounded on the bel. and those. who rs
tened and counted knew that us meant
freedom Such a rustic as the old bell
made. stationary though u was. high up
in that old belfry. IL shook the old stone
fastenings and set them jlngling with the
rest. The frightened birds. roUsed from
their long tenantry OF the Interior, tum-
bled hoadlOng out or the bell ana inc
straw and twigs came rattling down. Ihe
foliage that had grown thick around the
bells pedestal trembled and shook itself
loose In the vibrations. and the whole
town Of Garcina went wild with JOY.
Americas old Liberty Bell r. the M
dependence Bell OF which Phtladeiphit
Is so proud and which Il would not
exchange for the %proudest chime Ia the
world. cracked though tho Liberty Ben
may be. The william Penn statue rs a
CHEAP image compared with the value
OF that glorious old bell and no millions
OF money could tempt the Philadelphia
fathers 10 part with the Liberty Ben
more than a few DAYS az a time
II the city government wanted 20 rent
that he'll n could do so 20 such adran-
tare that the entire city taxes could %
dieposed OF without further ala. Ana the
Old he'll could travel around the country.
exhibiting itself for a quarter % crowded
housesl But the Liberty Bell IS not Tor
sale or show.
lust so with little Cuba's new. Liberty
PeiI. II Is the FIRST relic OF freedom. the
arst show piece OF i~ndepeadence. and II
wii hang M In tho old helfry OF Garcina
unfr the old thing crumbles and Is UNI
safe or until such prosperity comes 10
Cuha that they can take II down and
huild a great hall FOR It's own use.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
LIBERTY BELL
OF CUBA.
By W.. P. BakoT.

KEY WEST. May l1.-When the Presi,
dent OF the United States signed the oil
passed by the Senate and House making
Cuba free, the whole United states re-
joiced In the liberty OF the strugshns
But the object of all this rejoicing-the
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

Men are judged by what they do. So
q. Hoods s~arsapariila. and It's great cures
nave given II a good name everywhere.
n Is the one true Blood Purifier and
Great Nerve Tonic.
Hoods pills are easy to take. easy to
operate. Cure indigestion. biliousness.
IS cents.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
SHIPS RANGE OF ACTION.
Close Quarters business" as Pictured
by Artists Unknown i'm Naval Circle

"The T"IcIuros m some Ok Inc burnt-
orange newspapers Of battleships In ac-
ton are about as funny as the Japanese
idea of prospective" said a nava officer
TO a star man. These pictures represent
the opposing ships blazing away az each
other with thirteen-inch rifles az a range
OF about ono hundred feet. and the ar
lists certainly work up the thing 20 make
IL look terrific enough in all conscience.
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
RESPECT FOR THE FLAG.

Not Always TO be Measured by the
Number rHats That Come on.
Hats on"' said an enthusiastic young
man in the crowd around the Old Guards
recruiting tent at City Hall Park when
the band started up with The Star
Spanrled Banner" Nobody. or only one
or two. followed his example.
Hats omr ne cried again. and maybe
half a dozen hats came off. lie made the
call again, but no more were removed
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

MES t1xAz zHfZsf5EE R51S%xif
The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15

manual for the sake OF exercising the
men, and the only boarding that will be
done in the coming fights will be done
by prize-crews taking possession Of beat
en- ships after the latter have struck
their colors. Washington Star.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-09-30
That True Spirit.

You should make a special point Of
asking God every morning to give you
before all else, that true spirit of meek
ness which he would have his children
possess. You must also make a firm
resolution to practice yourself in this
virtue, especially in your intercourse
with those persons to whom you chiefly
owe it. You must make it your main
object to conquer yourself in this mat
ter; call to mind a hundred times DUR
in gthe day. commencing your efforts
to God. 1t seems to me that no more
than this is needed in order to sub
ject your soul entirely to His will, and
then you will become more gentle day
by day, trusting wholly in his good
ness. You will be very happy, if you
can do this, for God will dwell in your
heart; and where he reigns, all is
peace. But if you should fail and
commit some of your old faults, do not
be disheartened, but rise up and go on
again, as though you had not fallen
Francis de Sales.