The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-20
IN THE AUXILIARY NAVY.
FROM THE DIARY OF No. OF THE
AFTER PORT Gun.

the Expert and Seasoned Amateur
Tars-FareweH to scenes of EN-
citement and Interest.
(Conunued from Last W5ek)
The Yankees stay in Key West was
marked by one of the most melancholy
incidents of the cruise. Thomas Clinton lie
Valley. one of the first of the New York
Naval Reserves to respond to the cali for
volunteers. died from appendicitis in the
hospital ashore 10 which he had been re-
moved for treatment Tom" as he was
Familiarity called by his shipmates, was on
board the Yankee during the five engage
ments OF that vessel. and proved himself
loyal and steadfast on every occasion. He
was well liked by the officers and men OF
the crew. and his death was deeply re-
GREETED by all II was his fate to be the
one member Of the New York Naval Re
serves to lose has life in the service Of his
country.
Seven days after the arrival Of the
Yankee in Key West the anchor was
hoisted and a start made up the coast It
Shortly became apparent that the next port
of cali would be New York itself, and
tunity to see home and friends of again
setting foot on shore, transformed lle en-
tire crew.
Everywhere could be seen smiling faces.
Laughter and merry chatter filled the air,
and the rolhcking songs written by Steve
and others were more in evidence than
ever. The daily routine of work seemed
lighter. There was no grumbhng, no tauit
finding; even the interminable task OF
shifting coal was carried on with actual
cheerfulness. Grimy hands and blackened
faces and tired bodies were forgotten
There's a mighty good dinner waiting
for me in the dear old house. exclaimed
Stump unctuously. Il can sniff il afar.
And. say. fellows won't we forgotten
a few hours at least-that such things "a
revenle and scrub and wash clothes and
coal humping and salt horse exist ON
earth?"
20. good Mr. Captain, how long will it
be before we hear the welcome call SHIFT
into clean blue, the liberty party' and
ind ourselves piling over the side, groan-
ed Hay
You win be glad enough 20 come back
10 your Uncle Samuel" grinned Steve.
when your time is up you will be wait
ang for the boat"
''No doubt" replied Flagg. I'VE will be
ready to complete our time of service, but
there are some If rumor speaks the truth
="
He finished with significant wink
He referred to the many threats to take
s'French leave" made by certain members
of the crew. threats which did not mater
taize except in a very few cases. The dis
gruntled members of the Yankees crew
were composed mainly of the outside
men-nen not of the Naval Reserves.
Among the latter. despite the unaccustom-
ed hardships to which they were subject
ed, a firm determination TO remain until
lawfully mustered out, existed.
The trip from Key West TO New York
was marked by only one important Incl
dent, the celebration of the Fourth of
July 1t was unlike that familiar to the
majority of the crew. There were no fire.
works no parades, nor bands playing the
national anthems. The day opened squally
and sharp gusts of rain swept the decks
The usual routine of work was proceeded
with, and it was not until eight bells noon
that we really realized the date. At exact
l. midday a salute of twenty-one guns was
fired and those of us who were super
patriotic took off our caps in honor of the
nag That ended the ceremony,
''Never mind" said Tommy when one Of
TIE boys bewailed the apparent lack of
celebration. never mind, shipmate. There's
q good time coming when we can whoop
Fem up for Old Glory much as we please.
Then wen make up for to-day. We can't
expect 10 do much under these conditions,
you know
Forty-eight hours later the Yankee
steamed proudly through the Narrows aud
proceeded amid a deafening welcome of
whistles and cheers to her anchorage of
Tompkinsvile Staten Island. Space viii
not permit of an extended description of
the Yankees stay in New York. 1t is only
necessary TO say that liberty" at least
gladdened the hearts of the different mem
beers of the crew, and that the privilege of
egain seeing relatives and friends was
thoroughly appreciated.
Shore leave was given on the eighth of
July, and from that day until the twelfth
the crew was engaged in taking on ammu-
milton for the fleet off Santiago, and in
embarking stores and coal. AT half-past
two the anchor was raised and the cat
falls manned.A brisk northeast breeze was
blowing, kicking up an uncomfortable sea
and when Sandy Hook was passed il be-
came necessary TO close the ports and bat
ten down matches.
The rolling and pitching of the ship soon
began TO make things interesting on the
gun deck. Immense green seas, shipped at
intervals on the upper deck, sent little
streams of water trickling down through
openings as yet unprotected. The violent
lurching of the hun finally sent the mess
chests adrift, scattering their contents OF
pots and pans and miscellaneous provis-
ions over the deck.
The sand bags stored about the steering
gear broke loose and were heaped in pic
suresque confusion. BY two bells g o'clock
the scene aft was indescribable. A Juan
tty OF debris of varying nature slid across
the smooth surface of the gun deck Wit
rush al every roll, making navigation
difficult If not a periious task. Later, e
add TO the tumult, one mans hammock
was cut down by failing mess table, an,
she occupant narrowly escaped serious in
jury.
1t was not until the following morning
that the seas subsidized, but the day prove,
pleasant, and The mishaps Of the proceed
ing afternoon were forgotten in the excite
ment of reaching Norfolk, which port wa
gained by the Yankee shortly before dark
Later in the evening the ship was takel
20 the navy yard.
(Which means that we are going t.
hustle more ammunition" observed Tom