Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1898-05-04
CLEAR SHIP FOR ACTION"
The Recent Magnificent Demonstra-
ton or discipline I'm the United
States Navy.

ton Roads under sealed orders, ana
presumably for the purpose of engag-
ing in deadly strife with the men of
another nation, says George Edward
Garham in LcsLie's Weekly.
Retiring time on board man-of
war is early, because of the early rls-
Ing hour and the arduous labor OF
the day, and at 8 o'clock very near all
the men except the few on watch.
have retired. 1t was shortly after 9
o'clock on the flagship Brooklyn.
Forward the hammock were swing
ing, rocked gently by the roll of the
ship. 10 the ward-room five or six
officers sat reading, chatting anu
smoking. On the quarter deck Lieu
tenant Doyle paced to and fro in ST.
lence. while in their respective cabins
Comm odore Schley and Captain Cook
and executive officer, Lieutenant
Commander Mason, sat awaiting a
call that they alone knew would be
made. The ship. sleeping on the be-
som of the ocean, is in port dress and
not stripped for action.
"A steamers smoke on the port
bow" reports the man at look out ON
the bridge.
"An right. Can you make her
out?" answers the officer on the
deck.
"A man -of-war, sir" answers the
look. out.
messenger. tell the Captain and
Mr.. Mason" quietly responds Mr..
Doyle.
Mr.. Mason comes on deck and, with
Mr.. Doyle, watches the boat through
glasses.
Gall the musicians" says Mr..
Mason sharply to the messenger, and
the musicians come. Still the big
ship and it's inmates sleep, still the
officers in the ward-room chat and
smoke, while others have already re.
tired. Still Mr.. Mason and Mr.. Doyle
keep the glasses up.
ters," says Mr.. Mason, and the drum
rolls diapason to the trumpet's
shrin treble. Then comes d trans
formation that knows no equal foI it's
suddeGness Of action and shifting of
scene. From the quarters pour forth
men dress ng themselves as they come
never waiting for shoes or stockings
The siren shrieks forth its weird
steam blast, the big gong clangs, the
drum rolls, and before their clamor
has ceased it's echo every part Of the
ship, from the depths of the hold to
the top Of the military mast, is filled
with active, bustling men. From
both forward and aft bridges the
bright search lights have begun to
work, and the rest of the fleet have
quicker, almost than thought, been
notified Of the approach of All enemy
and their search lights are aiding in
making brighter than daylight the
darkness in which torpedo boat
hh'ShI hFplOdCu'
But Of the transformation! Three
minutes and half of what appears
to be the direct confusion, but which
is really and acme OF discipline anC
order, have elapsed. and the com
manders Of the various divisionc re
port. Mr.. Rusl,. in command Of the
second division, including the after
eight-inch turret and the port eight
inch turret, reports, Gall ready, sec
ond division, sir" and following biu
come the report Of each division.
The great Iron. clad is ready tc
fight, and the bugler blows, "Silence.'
while the men, ut a fearful tension
the most difficult, nerve testing per,
iod of the whole situation, awaits or.
ders. % 49,. g..
What has occurred during the
three minutes consumed in putting