davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
How the Enormous Cannon
on a Mdn-Of-War Are
Manipulated.

detail as a great foundry. a printing
press establishment or a manufacturing
plant The great engines which propel
her at tremendous speed through the
water also supply power to the huge
dynamos which are her nerve centers.
The great guns are fired by electricity
and loaded by hydraulic mechanism.
Aiming nos longer the function of
keen eyed gunner. but a mathematical
problem calculated to nicely. Even
the steering gear Is electrically con-
trolled. ia
The crew has also been converted
through constant drilling into a body of
skilled mechanics or electricians, or
both. who know Just how every engi-
neering device must work and what is
to be done IN case OF accident. The
captain in the coming tower is the SUI
preme factor in the fighting movements
OF the iron fortress. for that is what
the modern battleship is. At his hand
are wires and tubes running TO the tur-
rets, barbettes. casemates and engine
rooms. and his orders are translated
into action by the operators who handle
the levers and wheels.
Those who have never seen a naval
engagement may form an excellent idea
OF a sea fight. aside from the thrilling
adjuncts OF a genuine battle. by what is
done in target practice. for the prepara-
tons are exactly the same as those
made for a real contest. The decks are
cleared, and the machinery is set in mo-
ton.
The discharge OF 10 inch rifle is APT
to be attended with unpleasant results
unless proper precautions are taken.
The sunners brace themselves for the
shock by holding the arms rigid and
the hands away from the body To give
the lungs free play. The mouth Is kept
open so as TO equallze the pressure on
the lungs. head and ear drums. It is not
known whether the discomfort after the
firing OF big gun proceeds from the
corcussion or the vacuum created aft
or the shock. Men who Use cotton I'm
their ears are more liable TO suffer the
consequence of bursted ear drums or
ruptured blood vessels than those who
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
The Miantonomoh's Big Guns.

Every shot fired from one of the mon
itor Miantonomoh's big guns costs Un-
Gle Sam the sum of $3.50. The projectile
weighs 500 pounds and over 900 pounds
Of powder are required to expel 1t. 1t
is claimed by the officers on the vessel
that this mass of steel can be thrown
with accuracy at least six miles with
the present elevation OF the guns and
much farther than that should the guns
be raised higher than they now are on
the decks. The monitor has only stor-
age room for 100 rounds. but these are
considered sufficient to disable any or
dinary antagonist.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

The most important; flag in the army
next to that OF the secretary OF wa. is
The United States headquarters stand-
ard. IL has blue field gerSscusly em-
broidered with tie national arms In
brown and gold WnerevsT Il appears
in active service IL denotes tkr presence
OF the general commanding the army or
his nearest ranking general.
In the regular line cf march every
regiment composing nn army carries at
it's front the national celL-s tearng on
the fourth red strire fror, the tcp the
number Of the regiment and its char
acter, whether infantry. artillery or
cavalry. BESIDES this II carries regi-
mental flag on which is embroidered q
national coat of arms similar TO that
on the presidents special flag. The
rcgimentai flag for the infantry is blue.
The cavalry Ia yellow. The artillery and
battalion coiors for engineers arc both
scarlet but the flag for engineers bears
a three turreted castle instead OF the
spread eagle.
Detached troops of cavalry and artiI>
lery carry small guidons or pennants,
bearing the troop number and letter.
The regulation colors for the army
whether national or regmental meass
ure 81 feet long by feet inches widos
All service" flags are made OF buntings
Colors for ceremony are OF silk. The
trimmings. fringe. cord and tassels. 81
all nags must conform to the regus
iatlon colors OF the division to whicu
they belong. Flag pixies are feet long
and ~ inches in diameter In the osu~
ter. tapering slightly toward the ends
The pike Is tipped with nickel plates
spearhead in the shape OF heart.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

have not taken any precautlon against
the shock OF noise.
Many instances OF killing by con-
cussion are well known to naval Off
GERS. A sheep 30 feet away has fallen
dead after the discharge of an s inch
rifle behind a barbette. and on the
Atlanta on one occasion after two 6
inch broadside guns had been fired
several times i'm succession subsequent
investigation showed that the cutters
and whaleboats which were suspended
on the davits Is feet above and TO the
rear of the cannons' muzzles had OPEN
ed in the seams and joints and were
practically unseaworthy.
1t is true, however, that the thunder
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

he carried against the steel side of the
hold. The spring that held the lamp In
place gave way, and. still lighted, 1t fell
right side up on top Of large can OF
powder that was ready TO be hoisted.
The two men In the pit had gone aft
In the magazine TO haul more cans OF
powder TO the hooks. and they did not
sec the lamp resting on the can OF
powder. The men at the top OF the
hatch were in stupor CT horror. but
the alert apprentice boy. who later re-
ceived his sword for the heroic act.
Skinned down the tackle and grabbed
hastily the lamp. The flame had al
ready begun TO heat the can metal. The
boy put the light out. grabbed the rope
with his right hand and the can Of
powder with his left and yelled up the
hatch. "Pull me and the can up TO the
main deck. you fellows!"
Another instance OF personal heroism
occurred more recently. Only a short
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
Copyright, 1851

copyright 1881
1t is very difficult to realize the star
Ting difference between the navy of
1872 or 1s4S and that OF 1898. The condi-
tions are as Numerically opposed as
right and wrong or black and white.
The sailors snug quarters, which re-
sembled the cheap bedroom of a fourth
rate boarding house; the gun deck. with
it's overhead timbers. reminding one of
the interior of a barn; the mass Of intri-
cate ropes in coils and slack, the many
folds of flying sheet and sail. have all
disappeared. Now il is inside iron case
ments apparently that both men and
officers live, though the rooms of the
latter may have carpet or mating on
the floors and such personal decorations
as their fancy dictates. The vessel of
former years was a wooden tub. Now
she is an iron or steel shell.
Up to half a century ago the spars
and sails were the agents of motion
and muzzle leaders with smooth bores
the means OF warfare. The cutlass and
the hand grenade were important fac
tors. and hand to hand combats were
distinctive incidents OF many OF the bat
ties. "Repcl boarders" was a sort of
warcry. To dash on TO an enemy's deck,
broadsword in hand, mid fire and smoke,
with wood spIlnters in the air. was n
heroic fact as illustrated in the thrill
ing engagements OF the Bonhomme
Richard. the Chesapeake and Perry's
victory ard Macdonough's fights on the
lakes.
Heroism will always be a factor in
battle. but science is minimizing its re-
sponsi5ility i'm each new warship.
Sword drills are still daily exercise
for sailors, bat IL is impossible TO iinag-
Inc an occasion when such knowledge
will be utilized. Naturally there are al
ways contingencies. and the cutlass
might still serve az n weapon for an at
tacking party. but I'm close quarters the
revolver r. a more effective instrument
o. slaughter and in an emergency
would prove an arm of greater efiicien-
cy.
A battlashiD or cruiser IS an elaborats-
iy organized mechanism. as complete in
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

directing operations. and with him was
gunner's mate. serving as a mes
senger. One OF the big guns was on
the needle point" OF being electrically
fired when the mates sharp eye saw
that the breech OF the cannon gas not
locked. He didn't indulge In any dis
concerting yell that might have caused
the nan at the electric button to give
It an accidental push. Without saying
a word he made two bounds for the ex-
posed Insulating wire In the coming
tower connected with the guns electric
fuse, ripped it in several pieces with
the entire strength OF both hands and
then collapsed. weak as a kitten. the
commanding officer with his finger how
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

stored with hundreds OF pounds of gun
powder, gun cotton, dynamite and 9TH
er explosives, in constant danger from
fire. but there is the possibility of a
boiler explosion, the giving way of a
bulwark of supposed invincible strength,
the springing of leak. the poisoning OF
the bilge water and even the breaking
loose of a gun from its mount, and
one OF these may result in havoc and
destruction. Then. in addition, there
may be a falling mast, shifting ballast
or the self ignition of coal, all of them
elements OF great danger. against which
forethought is not always surely avail
able. but for the immediate control of
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
ON THE GUN DECK.

the intoxicating odor OF burnt gunpow-
der. The gunner is allowed about three
minutes to load and fire his piece, while
the smaller ones are discharged more
rapidly.
A inch gun has been shot at a
target two miles away so quickly that
four projectiles were in the air before
the first struck. Immediately after the
smoke of the first shot has cleared
away all the exposed brass work. which
has been shining like gold, is seen to
have turned green. 1t is a practical
lesson in chemistry-the combination OF
an acid gas and a metal.
After the discharge the gunner opens
the breech, which belches smoke and
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
Famous War Correspondents

War has made the fortune Of many
a newspaper mas. Perhaps the ableeo
OF recent correspondents 10 Archibald
Forbes, who "did" the France-Rru9sieo
war for the London Daily News Janu-
arius Aioysius AcGahan. ~ ohioa4
served the New York Herald u ~
same war but afterward worried foo
the London News, doing excellent oorv-
ice. George Augustus sala woo eog1o>
spondent of the London Tslegfapn -
our civil war. which gave him fam1 -
world over.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
which quick practical judgment

which quick practical judgment is
needed.
During naval battle the dangers
which hover about ship and crew are so
we'll understood that II is unnecessary
TO recapitulate them at this time. But
Jack Tar is not unduly sobered by all
these dire possibilities He is Just as
happy dog as when he manned the
capstan in hosting the anchor or reef
ed the fore topgallant sail in days OF
old. Indeed he Is better fed, clothed
and paid than in those days. and the
dangers direct from old ocean are not
half so great. His lot. like the police
mans, may not be a happy one. but he
could hardly be made 10 believe ii.
Generally he is a type of the satisfied
man, conscious of required duty well
performed. WILSON G. LOWELL.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

SCOT. When this has been cleansed. the
gunner's mate swabs out the inside,
which seems TO be covered with q red
mass resembling clotted blood, though
II IL only the residuum of the burnt
powder. Then the reloading proceeds.
A single battleship. with Its rined ar.
tillsry aud $50 pound shells, has the de-
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

ing Of the great guns IL less painful TO
the ears than the cracking sensation
produced by the discharge OF the small
er rifles. The roar OF 10 inch rife
seems 10 envelop one. and the excite
ment OF loading and discharging 30
strains the attention or the crew that
they forget the report Then there 10
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

sci of smaller tonnage fears. though the
occasion may arise when II would be
necessary for the United States battle
ship to do 50 60 settle the issue Of an
important contest. Still 70 would only
be attempted In the most serious sort Of
an emergency.
TRUMAN L. ELTON.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16
5VIlGljG
The Dangers. Aside From
HoStilitieS. Which Our
Sailors Must Face.

ner's warrant he now holds. The gun
divisions of the crew were overhauling
the after magazine. breaking out fixed
ammunition and cans OF powder and
gun cotton and cleaning and red lead
ing the bilge. The ship had not been
equipped with electricity, and SO closed
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

Twas on peaceful autun7p day.
When leaves were slightly tiD2ed With yellow
And billsdes pear aDd far away
Glowed in the waning sunlight mellow.
That cbivalry Of North aDd South
Net face to face at cappops mouth.
And like a mighty, swelling flood
They onward rushed to death aDd glory.
Apd the dark river With blood;
The fields apd woods we're torn apd cory,
And the pale moon looked down at pQbt
OY@troPbies DEATH gained in the fight.
X Now where this awful warcoud burst
IN waves Of flame, ip bail apd tbupde1
They sleep together whom rpistrust
Apd factions rage bad rent asuDdeT
And North and South upited keep
Watch DER this place where heroes sleep
Once more the peaceful scene is changed.
Upon this field SO famed r story,
FROM North apd South armed rapks are ranged
Eager for battle aDd for glory.
But uDited forth they go.
BeDeatb one flag, to face the foe.
Oh, Cbickamausa, field Of blood,
Change now thy cypress to IaureiI
For hosts that surge thee like flood
UpstaipeJ will leave thee in this quarrel
Old bates are dead, apd love holds sway
Now, god Of tAtties, point wayl
NEIL. rtAcDoNALD
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

The young king Of Spain poeseoG
eight Christian names and ebeuo
titles.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-16

lanterns were employed to illuminate
the darkness. The lanterns. as was
customary before the days of movable
incandescent electric lamps on board
ship, had been CO -efully inspected by
an officer before the magazine hatch
was lifted. All OF them were found in
apparently good condition. and the
work OF hosting the magazine contents
to the main deck by means of block and
tackle was begun. The chief gunners
mate, under the direction of division
officer. was experimenting the move
ments Of the men He was leaning over
the hatchway giving orders to the hands
In the pit when he struck the lantern
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-12-16
F.. WASHINGTON RELICS.
Articles of Priceless Worth Kept In

the National Museum.
One Of the most interesting relics in
the National museum at Washington is
the camp chest used By Washington
throughout the Revolution. 1t is COM
pact affair about the size Of tourists
wicker chest for cooking of the present
day.21a feet long. 2 feet wide, foot
high, and it contains an outfit consist
Ing of finder box, pepper and salt
boxes, bottles, knives, forks, gridiron
and plates. Every bit Of the outfit saws
one bottle, which is broken at the
shoulder, looks strong enough to stand
another campaign. 30
Near by are the tents used by Wash
ington-ehree in number One is a
sleeping tent, % feet long, with. walls
6 feet high and a roof with a 6 foot
pitch. It is made Of linen. The other
two are marquee tents of smaller size,
one with walls, the other shelter tent
open on the sides. That the tenting ma.
terial Of Revolutionary days was good
stuff is proved by the excellent condi-
tion Of these tents, which sheltered the
great commander through all his severe
oampaigns.- = =,
Here also is Washington uniform,
worn by him when be gave up bis com.
mission as commander in chief of the
army. at Annapolis in 1883. It. consists
of a big shadbelly coat Of blue broad.
cloth, lined and trimmed with soft
buckskin and prnamented with broad,
fat brass buttons; buckskin waistcoat
and breeches. The size Of the garments
(Which are in q state Of excellent pres
ervation) testify to the big stature Of
the Father of His Country and sug.
gest that he had an eye to a fine ap-
pearance II in his dress. - Washington
Post sssz .ss,f.f ~ ~ ~, !. :&9;is, j
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-12-16
s79.E - FHFt - 35aEt tEtI.3tI555 e.I
The Elaborate Chinese Novel. -

49, Ine EAaDOrate Cn1neSe novel; :
f is a proof Of the high degree , OF
elaboration to which fiction literature
in China has BEEN carried that most of
their novels are thicklyi interspersed
with poems Of all orders Of merit. No
stronger evidence could be afforded of
the fact that whatever they lack it is
not literary finish. y IT. anything, they
have this in excess N These poems are
introduced in variety of ways. The
hero sends one in a billet doux to the
heroine, or he overhears her singing
one or perhaps poetic contest is struck
up, the fine on defeat being generally
the compulsory drinking Of SO many
extra fagons of wine. Wine drinking
and poetizing almost Invariably go to-
gether in Chinese novels, though wheth-
or they do SO in real life we are unable
to say. Above all. things, every man
who sets up to be anything in the way.
of a hero in Chinese fiction must be
prepared to ez TEN porizes by cam in
mimi ia Bic poetry REV. 6: zs $500 Cam
din in Open Court sEz s'.s I. 3. s.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-12-16

assume an,alarming stage until the early
part of last week. On Tuesday night
General Garcia, in company with the
other members of the commission, at
tended dinner given in his honor by
General Miles, and it was a result Of the
exposure that nj ht which eliminated
in his death. During the 10 hours or
more preceding his dissolution General
Garcia was v: a.'@
Unconscious Most of the Time.
At intervals he recognized one or more
of those about him. In his dying mo-
ments as all through his busy, and ac-
tive life his thoughts were for his be-
loved country and it's people and
amongst his last words were irrational
murmurings in which he gave orders to
his officers on his staff for the battle
which he supposed was to occur and ia
which he understood there were only
400 Spaniards to combat. Several
members of the commission and Mr..
Rubens, their counsel in this country,
were in the bed chamber when the end
came. The remains were Immediately
prepared for burial and were placed on
q bier in the room in which. he died.
By direction Of Major General Miles a
detachment of soldiers from Battery p,
Sixth artillery, was detailed as body
guard for the remains. General Garcia
left large family, only one Of whom,
Justo, captain on his staff, was with
him when he died. $3.50.
rs Honored in Death.
After General Garcia's death steps
were taken to notify the government
officials here and also the executive COM
mittee of the Cuban assembly, which
has'its headquarters at Marianao, Cuba.
Secretary Jose Villalon, Of the commits
sion, sent atelegram to Mendez Capote,
the president of the Cuban assembly,
who is now in Havana. AS soon as the
death became known number Of visit
ors, including many public men, came
to the hotel to express their condolences.
President Mckinley manifested his SYM
pathy by sending suitably worded let
ter, and Vice President Hobart sent his
card. Among those who called were
Senators Foraker, Money, Proctor and
Chandler and Generals Lawton and
Wheeler. Ss>4:4 =, = ~ -. / \ ..
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-12-16
Hair Powder.

= The cause of the general disuse Of
hair powder was the high price of flour.
It was thought little less than criminal
that -four, which was almost beyond
the reach Of some of the very poor,
:fghould be used by the rich as a mere
fashionable luxury of dress. Voluntary
associations we're formed, the members
whereof bound themselves not to use
hair powder In a similar way the
abolitionists bound themselves not to
use any sugar whose production involved
the employment Of negro slaves. Notes
and Queries.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-12-16
G|||IEI' Ga Rl' t. !
VETERAN cusA 8. ARRloR AND
PATRIOT PASSES AWAY.


otssstsd Cold 81 gSsh - vh ! a.
Dsv,l,psd 1ato P.ss ION. Aaeays
- svarled Life Iarse 1lre q I: IT. ~
sizsy Ysa.. spent IS Tishtis 81 c. e,
81 - Lilerty-Last Thoushts WEE I l.al
y HIS Believed Country and 1ts People. &
WASHINGTON, Dec. Il. a. General Calix-
to- Carols, the disting uished Cuban war
rior and veteran and head Of the COM
mission elected by the Cuban assembly
tovisit this country, died here shortly
after 10 a. m. at the Hotel Raleigh,
whore the commission has its headquar-
ters. The sudden change from the warm
climate Of Cuba, with the hardships he
had there endured to the; wintry weather
Of New York and Washington, is re-
sponsible for the pneumonia which re-
suited in his demise: He contracted a
1lieht cold in New York; which did not
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-12-16
ZIG -
z Kitchen COnveni0lgee.

IsAA11c1G1 SG0nYS1NE1I1se 81.
Tho faini11 fiour barrel q Slten -
41nsiRh ~ object IS kttchen q part
gand S. = small oloset il copstrncted -
it ID often very unhand4f6r the brea 4
maker. The afrangemedt shown III tie
ont is recommended 81 The Rural New.
Yorker % free from the latter objection
aod excellent both for neatness and con-
venience. s u. V. d s -ssss
The little closet in which the barrel
Is kept occupies one end Of the large
pantry. The top forms q broad shelf Or
table Of polished v God, Just the right
height for the bread beard when mixing
OF kneading. The barrel is supported on
Iron clamps whics swing on bolts or
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-12-16
THE BARREL SWUNG OUT.


(pivots fastened just inside, the upper
clamp being firmly screwed to the lower
side Of the shelf, the lower clamp,
which is much heavier, to the floor.
The barrel is opened, then placed be-
tween the clamps, which grip it firmly.
With a mere touch it swings out for
fnse, as in the cut. When not in use, it
,is>pushed back again. There is no risk
of dust collecting in the little closet,
because it IS SO easy to swing the barrel
out and rub off the polished wood floor
and hard finished wall with a soft cloth.
Any woman who has struggled to move
an pnwieldy -four barrel when cleaning
the place in which it stands will recog-
nize the convenience of this Device The
clamps may be obtained from large
hardware dealers.