The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-05-11

taking of the forts at New Orleans and
Mobile. / was then on the Cherokee, q
big sailing ship, which put into Pensa-
cola harbor soon after its capture and
remained there rs a base of supplies
for marines going into the Mississippi
river fights. Our boat didn't have any
steam power, and, as she drew twen-
ty-seven feet of water, couldn't get
over the bar at the mouth OF the river.
There was only twenty-four feet Of
clear water there at the best. without
steam we weren't of any use at any
rate, so we we're kept out of the fight,
which young Dewey got into soon
after.
He was a lieutenant then and was
on the Mississippi, one of the boats
which was to run the blockade. The
crew numbered $50 men, all told, and
they were ready for whatever might
come. / remember well how we heard
of the daring exploit when the fleet
ran the gauntlet of the forts. The
Mississippi had to be burned to escape
capture and the crew were told to save
themselves.
Lieutenant Dewey could have es-
capped easily, as he was a bold power
full swimmer, but he was too unselhsh
to think only of himself so long as any
of his comrades were in danger. Not
far from him he spied a seaman who
was trying his best to keep above water
after his right arm had been paralyzed
by a bullet. Dewey struck right out
for him and gave him lift, till they
reached a floating spar. Then the
wounded man was towed under cover
of the shore in safety.
There were picked shots among the
Johnny Rebs' on the bank and they
did deadly work. So, whether they
spared young Dewey and his wounded
shipmate because of the act of mercy
he was doing or whether the floating
spar concealed them somewhat we
never knew. At any rate there were
so few who ESCAPED when they swan
for the shore that the old fellows in
the service said right away when they
heard the story: We'll, I'll be burned
If that young Dewey amt being kept
alive for something better than trying
to sneak by old rebel forts. He'll live
to show the stuff that's in him some
day, if [ know what I'm saying We
never thought he'd ever get such a
high-soundinE title as the hero of Ma
nila;' but I'll he gosh burned if he
don't deserve it for licking those sneak
ing Spanish"
Officials of the Cramps shipyard are
watching the developments at Manila
with intense expectancy. Aside from
their general interest in the compara-
tive architecture the Cramps were per-
sonally interested in the clash of the
Spanish and American SquadronS be-
cause two vessels of Commodore Dew
ey's command were built at the
Cramps yard. These are the cruiser
Baltimore and the revenue cutter Nc
Culloch. The Baltimore was finished
eight years ago and the McCulloch left
the yard only last year Officials of
the yard were delighted with the Amer
lean victory and praised the American
ships with enthusiasm.
Said one officer: 1--WE must await
further information before we can learn
all the points of superiority of the
American vessels But, so far as the
information we have goes it looks as
though our ships had outClassed the
Spaniards in all respects. The Balti-
more, which we finished several years
ago, seems to have been in the thick of
the fight, and the little revenue cutter
McCulloch did remarkable service for
so small a craft. We are pretty well
satisfied here with the outcome of the
battle"
League Island Navy yard was in a
ferment of excitement over the vic
tory. The officers for the most part
observed the reserve characteristic of
the service at all times and particular
ly in cases like the present. The news
was eagerly discussed, but their COM
ment, in most cases, was reserved for
the inner circle Of fellow officers. The
men, however, were not so reticent, and
eagerly manifested both their joy at
the news and their hunger for details.
This curiosity was especially re-
marked on board the receiving ship
Richmond. Stalwart tars surrounded
visitors suspected Of having informa-
tion on the subject, and they We're for
mally held up before being allowed
to proceed. On every hand were heard
expressions of satisfaction and JOY.