The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-09-02
MEN OF NERVE IN THE NAVY
Uncle Sans Bluejackets Go Into Acc
ton without the Slight
est Show of Fear.

est show of Fear.
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 ma
chinery of the great engine of war was
quickly manned, and in a very few min
utes everything was ready for action.
To an onlooker the quickness and pre-
cision 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 be-
lieve an engagement is imminent, they
would scarcely believe their eyes. Now
enthusiasm and spirit dominate every
thing. Each man knows that on the
way his work is done depends in q
| measure the outcome of the conflict.
l. When everything is made ready, am
munition hoisted, guns loaded and
manned, there comes a period of sus-
pense, 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 to be seen,
nobody seems to be thinking of home;
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 unen-
gagged side look sorrowful in compari-
son, and many a 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 crew now settle down to
work. The first few shells from the
enemy cause comment; when puff of
smoke from an opponents gun is seen
there are some that stop momentarily
and watch for the destination of the
shell, and feel relieved when they see
a column of water rise out of the sea.
When the first shell whizZes overhead
almost everybody can be seen to duck.
This is entirely reflex act, and is no
sign of fear. Soon all thought of the
enemy's shells passes away, and the
men at the guns have eyes for their
own shells only. They know that the
best defense is a well-directed fire.
Each shot from the guns is noted, and
| when the range is accurately deter
| mined the Yankee Workmanship be-
comes evident.
At Santiago the shooting from the
New York was wonderful in it's ac-
curacy, shell after shell being dropped
| exactly in the right spot, and the gun
ners and others sent up a shout each
time a cloud composed of guns and
dusty Dons arose out of Spanish bat
terry. The excitement of action for
those who can see what is going on dis
| pels any nervous strain that may have
existed.
Below the decks, down In the engine
| and fire rooms, in the coal bunkers and
magazines, there are many men work
ing away, seeing nothing and hearing
only the reports of the guns and ex-
ploding shells. If the engagement be
! with ship, they cannot tell at what
moment a torpedo will come crashing
in through the vessels side, or if the
ship be entering harbor, at what in
slant the ships bottom will be blown
| upward by a mine. These are the peo-
pie whose nerves are put to a strong
test. But they never murmur, and so
far no man in the American navy has
given in to fear.
The action over, ard the enemy's for
tifications reduced, there is an air of
satisfaction 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 moth
ing 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 in the American
squadron was made manifest when a
crew was wanted by Hobson to take
the Merrimac into the harbor at San
tiago end sink her in the channel. Tho
fate of the men who were to 90 on
the expedition seemed to be sealed, as
the chances of getting through alive
apparently were very slim. There was
no call for volunteers; none was need
ed; for as soon as it became known
that the Merrimac was to go in on its
perilous trip, practically all of the off,
GERS and men in the feet volunteered,
and many were the disappointments
when the seven heroes were chosen.
The war, so far as the navy is con-
cerued has been devoid of MANY of ita