The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-02-20

waif ne o-sshA-s Wsser csshs Vtnea win
wine ava lso Nen Drunh st Gee TIuss,

wIps ana $50 New nrunh st Gee Tfuse
FFo-s tAs PaeUae corauuercfa, advertiser.
Did you ever hear OF the drunk Of the Unite,
States steamship Omaha, or rather tho spre'
OF the omaha's crcwi Well, it's n stock nAva
yarn. but q good one. and with the extra rar,
merit Of being true"
The speaker was a gentleman who as al
officer had paced the decks OF many American
warships in many waters. He continued:
1T was one OF the earlier trips Of the cruiser
The orders were for Rio. after putting intC
Madeira for supplies. The season was pleas
ant and the $50 officers and mon were enjoying
the voyage immensely. As the Omaha scudded
along. her machinery working beautifully and
seo easy as a bay. all felt satisfied with the scr
vice. There would be a number OF warshius
with acquaintance aboard at Rio, and we
know their officers and crews would welcome
US and admire the Omaha. We had her neat
as a lady dressed for a reception.
while we were taking on meat and vege.
tables in Madeira our Captain conceived the
idea of saving coal by filing MP the water tanks
from shore. From the island we could stand
into a trade wind and would with half luck be
able to make a fine run into Rio. BY doing no
condensing and taking advantage Of all sailing
chance IL was calculated to make q fuel show
ing that would gain afcw effective credit marks
at Washington.
"a watering party OF about fifty. in charge
OF petty officers, handled the casks. They
filled themselves with Madeira wine, then
made o common purse and bought enough Of 1t
to load about half tho casks. The scheme was
to have Madeira on tap till we reached Rio.
As usual. though. Jacky overreached himself.
o a Dan-of. war. you know, tho halliards
arc 20 laid that all tho canvas can DO spread
at once. Well. il was done this time in q fash
lon that nearly drove the Captain crazy. He
was on tho bridge and cursed q blue streak
that poisoned the air and polluted the sea. He
cursed officers and men, the service. the ship,
all countries, the earth. and the universe.
First the men talked as they tangled the
halliards abont. For this they were mildly
and then sharply reproved. Next they sang.
Then the officers were compelled to swear to
drown The voice OF the Captain. The men
staggered around and did all sorts Of maudin
things. They fell and rose and fell again.
They tried to fight among themselves. They
talked back to the officers, cursed the non.
CONS and shouted badinage to the Captain.
1t was a pronounced case Of general certain
jag and no remedy TO be suggested. At least
$50 OF the men were paralyEed drunk and those
able to stand still drinking till the supply was
cut of.
1T is q blessing there was no weather. Not
after she was once headed. 1t did rain. II
was quite a downpour. but the helpless DRINKS,
wing on the decks, slept right through Il. From
them during the night there were groans and
growls, and an occasional attempt at q rally.
Several times ho's'ns blew their pipes in q con.
wanted.
AZ daybreek all hands able assisted In driv-
ing the carousers back to duty. The spree left
them stupid. blear.eyed. with aching heads and
sore bodies and a-wonderine what the pun
ishment was going TO be. They had a mighty
long day of it after the remainder Of the wine
was run over the sides.
There was no court-m artial. No one was
cited or CHARGED or placed in the brig. The
task of inficting punishment was too great
big drunk.
'"Bringing liquor aboardship is the chief of
minor offences. yet the tackles are at IL con.
stantly. l once saw n SIM gglcr caught in the
act in such a peculiar and striking way that
even the dominic sympathized with him. He
was assisting with supplies. Every article
was inspected as usual when handed up. The
CORPORAL OF marines stuck his nose into a can
of milk. followed IL up with his fingers and
brought out q whiskey bottle label that was
tainer was anchored at the bottom Of the can.
1 call this a good hard luck story. myself"