Evening journal., 1898-07-28
wIGwAGGING ON sHIpBoARD.
the War Vessels Curve
Calculator.


a clever Brooklyn girl. who was by no
means as unsophisticated in naval mat
ters as she appeared TO be, was piloted
over ono Of the fighting ships at the
navy yard few months ago by young
ensign, who made the most of his OPP
portunity. He told her how deadly the
torpedoes were, and he thought it no
harm to double their effectiveness in
the telling.
"Whcn one Of these torpedoes eX-
plodes," said the ensign, wisely. sit Kills
all the fish within n radius of half a
mile, and frequently its force is so great
that the bottom Of the sea is laid bare.
"How very interesting" said the
Brooklyn girl, "and l suppose you have
seen the bottom Of the sea frequently"
"Well, you see, er-er, have never
been detailed for torpedo practice" said
the ensign evasively. The ensign told
the Brooklyn girl that the siX-iucb guns
on board were constructed on the prin-
oiple which is so beautifully illustrated
by the baseban pitcher, and that they
could be gauged to throw any Kind Of 4
curve.
"T'hnt must be a great advantage"
said the girl, thoughtfuuy.
Indeed il Is" said tho ensign. 1t
permits an of oar guns to go into action
at the same time. When, for instance,
the starboHrd guns get the range and
begin firing, tho captain passes the word
10 the gunners on the port side: Get
on to your curves This well-known or
der, by the way, IS the original Of the
now current slang expression"
what happens then?" asked the
Brooklyn girl, anxiously.
"rhen." continued the ensign.
thoughtfully, 1.-The best mathematical B..
on the ship is assigned to calculate the
curves. That Is my duty now. The
curve calculator, knowing the r-ngs
given 10 the starboard guns, calculates
the curve and range for each port gun,
and the gunners gauge according TO It,
Thus, you sec, while the storboard guns
are firing straight at the enemy tao
port guns are throwing projectiles In a
curve around the bow and stern of the
ship"
"Iiut if these proJectiles are not
stopped In their course, Isn't there dan
ger that they may complete the circi,
and come back and hit tho ship?" asked
the Brooklyn girl.
THAT all depends on the curve cal
culator," said the ensign, proudly.
The Brooklyn girl looked at him al
If she had been profoundly impresse,
or tremendously amused, and the en-
sign decided IN favor Of the former in
depreciation. He escorted the Brooklyi
girl about uh0 decl,, and suddcSly sh
saw a cUinmocon on the Aagship, w7its
WINS s1chored about 600 yarts away !
sailor was waving fog back and forth
and n man Oh the enSign's ship seeme
70 be watching II with Interest.
"Wbat are these two mon doing?" sh
asked.
"rhey aro wlgwSggtnG"
"Deaf ma, - that fopin Ua navaLpur
tsanfentT'
4No, ipsl9eA" sabd tho ensagna ",ha
ship over there3s the Gduitreth aagsAlg
aud the map who hs NOStng fbng Z
sending al important oSde1 fpcm IN
udmiral 81 this ship"
"Can Yuu rcOd III" asbed ttle giS.
1T is 100 lsts to catch The fun oPde
now,- said the ensign. ''bnt we will hea
tho sigpulman report Il to the ollhser O
the deck. Itmay be an order 10 pYepnr
for war at once"
The Brooklyn girl tried hand 10 loo
impressed by this martial suggestion n
she accompanied the endgn 10 wher
the Gicer Of the deck was standing
The signaiman had completed the mes
sage, and coming 10 the officer OF IN
deck, he stopped, saluted, and said:
AN order from the flagship. SIR"
"What is itS' said the officer, az
knowledging the salute.
scrub at discretion, sir" said IA
signalman, and. sauting. he walke
away.
The ensign's expression was btanl
and the Brooklyn girl laughed.
Thank you very much FOR your kim
ness" she said. "1know that. after ths
order from tho admiral, you as ofilciI
curve calculator, Will have work 10 d
so will Join my friends ashore"
This ensign hAs been suspicious OF g
genuous Brooklyn girls who have sine
visited has ship, and he has oongra
ulated himself that the wardroom mes
knew nothing about the incidcnt.--N
| Y Sun