The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-03-27

& n NV Or urU1ncys
81 VI ~ y ono thing that makes It . com
4 r6xSttxsiy simple and orderly task. On
i boex6 = hsbtinG vessel every man has :
\ o6riaii assigned post and certain task
iaid ~ for him NTH which hc is perfectly
fsn11iar. This hclds true from the cap
tnln nImasak down 70 the little coolies who
I; Halt - table for tho different messes.
3 lsR IL Signal = sounded II orinss esa,s
(; 3fes ~ work. % involved and compii-
S3f5d Is The, eyes Of An outsider, q mere
N. IA IA :'c sI FOR ACTION
. ship engages an enemy unexpectedly
IS that there Il not the usual time for
SrsparAtion, the call TO quarters Is sound
4 "a Immediately and the men take their
Siacea IN divisions. In this case each de
sision attends to part Of the work Of
clearing the ship. but ordinarily the hrst
signal x "CIcar for action! AT the boat.
\ eWain's whistle and the verbal command
The men move to their positions. those
whose places are en- deck forming III
anuads under direction of the different Of
ocers, The captain takes his place on the
tttdxc Later when The battle begins, he
VAL 70 into tho protected coming tower,
through the narrow sits of which ne can
watch everything that takes place OH deck
and tho movements of the enemy as well.
But for the present, while the preparations
arc being made, he must decide the gen.
oral plan OF action. how the guns are to be
ed and the class and nature OF projcctilo
- which he will depend
Near the captain stands the navigator.
who will have charge of the handling OF
the ship during the engagement, the signal
ufficers and the various aids. First of all,
tie decks and working spaces are cleared.
Tia spars. rigging and boats are secured.
1vcrything movable that Will not he need
cd during the engagement Is firmly dashed
lnho placs, where II will not intcrscro with
tho work. The topmen, who are tn Charge
1t the little platform high ND on the MAIN
mast, haul UP arms and ammunition and
make everything ready in their lofty quar-
ters, even to filling the fire buckets with
water with which to put out o blaze should
one be started aloft- The carpenter, under
the direction Of tho navigator, secs to tho
removal of awning starchions, hatch rails
and every light object that is not essential
TO the management OF the ship. 1'he chro-
Corneters and other delicate Instruments
are carefully gathered up and laid away
below. to save them from destruction by
ooncussion The torpedo division gets out
tts apparatus for sending torpedocs and
spreads the intercantfly nets over the
ships sides, where they can be quickly
lowered Il need be.
STIRRING SCENES BELOW.
Below the activity is equally Great. The
engine fires are stirred up and steam is
made as fast as possible, for a modern
battleship is intended to 90 into action
under full head OF steam. The steam
and bilgc pumps are rugged and the maya
kne squad stands to Its post. but the
magazines are not unlocked until the Sig
nal for action. The keys. however, are
delivered to the officers OF the powder d.
vision by the captain Mt the first signal.
When tho ship Is cleared the call 10
quarters is given and the men take their
places in divisions. The gun squads stand
70 their guns and make them ready for
use. The matches, except those that will
be used are covered with gratings and tar
paulins, the carpenter collects his men and
with the arniorcr stands ready to repair
any dnmage that may he done by the
enemy y life or the recoll OF the ships can
non. A man with a lead line is placed |
It the we'll and during the fight Will make |
frequent soundings to discover II the yes
sci IL injured below the water line. The |
hose squad is placed In charge Of tho fire
apparatus, ready for instant service |
Chemical fire cxtlnguishers arc used on all |
the United States warshlps now and hand |
grenades are placed In every quarter OF the
ship. Every precaution Is taken to secure
the instant stamping out OF the fire should |
II start In or near tho magazines.
THE BULL DOCTOR AT HIS POST.
Down In the sick bay the head surgeon, !
y bull DOCTOR" has been directing tho
layfng out OF cots. instruments and ban
dages. Ono hatchway, MS near amidshps