The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-22


A letter recently received from Au-
gust II. Runge. an Apprentice boy on
the Colorado In the, sixties. but now as
sistant chief engineer Of the Minne-
apolis fire department. recalls a case in
point. l give It here as illustrative of
the difference between Rear Admiral
George Dewey and Commodore William
IT. Sampson IN the capacity to handle
men:
We were off Palermo. Sicily. The
crew of the Colorado had a surfeit OF
drill during the day and were inclined
TO be little sulky. You must bear IN
having the best drilled ship in Euro
pean waters, barring neither class nor
nation. This reputation was not gained
by flying good painted sign at our miz-
zen truck. 1t was due to the admirable
management OF Mr.. Dewey as executive
officer and to the pride the men took
under him in perfecting their work by
continuous, painstaking drills. At sun
set on the day in question the watch
below was called up for boat drill. Mr..
Sampson had the deck. When the word
was passed to hoist away on the falls
Sampson was very much displeased
with the listlessness of the crew.
Look alive there, you men! You trail
along like a lot OF lubberly mourners
hired to follow Hindoo funeral!"
None of the boys knew how Hindoo
lubbers trailed at funerals; indeed.
have an idea that Mr. Sampson was
boys were mad and showed IL by slack
ening up.
Mr.. Sampson was beside himself with
anger. Three times were the boats
lowered to. the water. Just before he
gave the word the last time to hoist
away he shouted:
I'll blacklist every mothers son OF
you from liberty on shore IL there Is
any more of this hang dog work. Hoist
away there, now.'
The men were now on their mettle.
Liberty ashore is one grand prize OF the
man-o' wars man, but Jacky is not go-
ing to buy II. With one accord the
long line started on a slow-man's race
up the quarter deck, nosly tramping to
the time OF the Dead March In Saul
Mr. Sampson looked as If he was about
to jump Off the bridge and lay about
him with his trumpet. Fortunately at
this moment, Mr.. Dewey came up the
aftcrhatchway. attracted by the un-
usual noise. Taking in the situation at
a glance, he sprang up the steps lead
ing to the bridge.
'Ill take the deck, sir" he said. Mr.
Sampson handed over the speaking
trumpet and retired to the other end of
the bridge with very sullen look.
Delay that, you men!" Mr. Dewey
called out in a short, firm tone. The
boys halted and looked up. Mr.. Dewey
looked down the line for a moment
cool. quiet and smilingly confident
There was at once very perceptible
change in the moral temperature.
The boats were again lowered to the
water.
Man the falls, my men,"
The long lines were grasped with a
hearty grip, the men nodding to one
another approvingly
Hoist away, there!"
With a cheery stride the men walked
away with the falls with such good will
that the four cutters came flying up tc
the davits with a celerity that threat
ened to send them inboard
"Belay all Pipe down the watch be-
low, boatswaini"e ....srsA.s
The boys scampered off to the fore
castle to get their usual evening smoke
while Mr. Dewey, after a few words in
an undertone to Mr. Sampson, went be-
low. leaving that officer a wiser and
possibly a better man.-San Francisco
C6rnptr1a