The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-28
NERVE IN TIE NAVY.
1t Requires n Lot of Pluck, but Ahere
are No towards Aboard.

From the Medical News.
Before the beginning of hostilities with
Spain when the ships company was
drilled in preparing the ship for action, the
men all took their stations promptly and
each part of the machinery of the great
engine of war was quickly manned and in
a very few minutes everything was ready
for action. To an onloo6er the quckness
and precision with which each man took
his station seemed marvellous If these
same people could see the actions of the
same men when general quarters is
sounded, and there is reason to believe an
engagement is imminent, they would
scarcely believe their eyes. Now enthus-
iasm and spirit dominate everything Each
man knows that on the way his work is
done depends in a measure the outcome of
the conflict.
When everything is made ready. ammu-
milton hoisted guns loaded and manned
there comes a period Of suspense a calm
before the storm, so to speak. Looking
around the decks no sign of fear can be
discovered; there are no pale or anxious
faces 10 be seen; every thought Is for the
present. Here and there the tackles" are
cracking jokes; the men at the guns that
will be engaged seem the most contented
of all; their companions on the unengaged
side look sorrowful in comparison and
many little oath Is dropped about hard
luck by them.
a period OF expectancy now ensues The
nerves assume a state of tension, which is
relieved as soon as the gun is fired The
first few shells from the enemy cause COM
ment. When a puff of smoke from an
opponents gun is seen there are some
that stop momentarily and watch for the
destination of the she'll. and feel relieved
when they see a column of water rise out
81 ttraf,
overhead almost everybody can be seen to
duck This is entirely a reflex act and
is no sign of fear Soon all thought of
the enemys shells passes away, and the
men az the guns have eyes for their own
shells only. They know that the best de-
tense rs well directed fire. Each shot
from the guns Is noted and when the
range is accurately determined the Yam
kec craftsmanship becomes evident
At Santiago the shooting from the New
York was wonderful in its accuracy. shell
after shell being dropped exactly in the
right spot, ana the gunners and others
sent up a shout each time a cloud COM
posed of guns and dusty Dons arose out
Of Spanish battery. The excitement of
action for those who can see what is
going on dispels any nervous strain that
may have existed
Below the decks down in the engine
and hre rooms. in thee GAL bunkers, and
| magazines, there are many men working
away, seeing nothing and hearing only
the reports of the guns and exploding
shells. If the engagement be with ship
| they cannot tell at what moment a tor
pedO win come crashing in through the
vessels side or if a ship be entering "a
| harbor at what instant the ships bottom
| will be blown upward by a mine. These
are the people whose nerves are put to
| strong test But they never murmur.
and so far no man in the American navy
| has given in to fear.
The action over, and the enemy's forti-
| hcations reduced, there is an air Of salts
faction visible everywhere Men can be
| heard discussing the different shots and
| talking about the target practice, and
| wondering when they will get some more
| When secure is sounded and "retreat'
! has gone, the men go about their duties
as If nothing had happened Looking
around they can be seen writing playing
| cards, reading and sleeping quietly
| one OF the best examples of the pluck
| and nerve ia the American SQUADRON was
made manifest when a crew was wanted
| by Robson to take the Mcrrimac into the
! hfrbor at Santiago and sink her in the
| channel The fate of the men who were
| 20 go on the expedition seemed 10 be seal
| ed, as the chances of getting through
| alive apparently We're very slim. There
| was no call for volunteers; none was
| needed; for as soon as It became known
| that the Merrimac was to go In on its per-
| ilous trip, practically all of the officers
| and men in the fleet volunteered and
many We're the dsappointments when the
seven heroes were chosen.
The war, so far as the navy is concern
cd, has been devoid of many of it's sup
posed horrors, and. although the men
| have been on the larger ships for six
months without getting ashore, there are
few ii any, who would 20 home Of they
had the chance before the final battle is
l fought.