The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20
M'CALLA AS A COMMANDER.
Hrs INsPIRING MANNER ON THE
BRIDGE OF A WARSHIP.

Quick Diseernmsnt and Decision of the
Man who IL 90 Take Charge OF the New.
nrk-Praise for Those who Deserye II and
That Promptly Given-Tho Marblehend.
Can't. Bowman II. McCalla, who has lust been
ordered from the Norfolk Navy Yard 70 the COM
mand of the cruiser Newark, lie often thought Of
and spoken of as disciplinarian OF such rigid
ideas that he is likely 70 severity where Arm
ness would be sufficient That where Capt
McCalla Is there is discipline. is true saying
as II Is a needless one. But everybody who be-
came familiar with conditions on the Marblehead
during her ceaseless activities OF last summeS
commented on the apparent freedom from arbi
trary formalities that characterized tho ship
There was no suggestion Of the martinez which
her captain had been represented to be. Every
thing was done that was required TO be done and
was done on time; everybody was busy. yet with
time TO be courteous, and everybody was mani
testify contented 70 a much greater degree than
appeared to be the case on some OF the ships after
months in the tropics. The spirit Of one man
pervaded the ship. which in unconscious recognt-
ton OF this was as often called. and by her own
men as well Others the McCalla as tho Marble
head. 1t was just q bit curious at first TO heaS
men who were supposed TO be secretly chafng
under the requirements Of a sharp disdplinarian
requesting friends and chance acquaintance to
spread the custom OF calling their ship after their
commander and TO give his name 70 Guantanamo
Bay.
An unpublished incident Of the campaign in
that bay throws up into strong light the aggres-
sive nature OF the Marbloheads commander. and
his quick detection OF salient facts and his
equal readiness TO reprove commend, show,
perhaps one OF tho secrets both Of The efficiency
OF the ship and the popularity OF the man direct
ing her 1t was one morning after the warships.
GOLFERS, transports and supply ships, lying in
tho harbor during the night, had found them
selves under the Mauser fro Of Spanish guerjllas
who had come down the western shore Of the bay
from Camanera, in the darkness, and from points
of tho land comparatively near 10 the ships had
sent a shower of the bullets with their quick,
sharp ping e. ping al ping-gl ping-gi across tho
decks Similar performances had marked moro
than one night, and the Americans were tired
of them SO Il was determined TO rake the woods
and bush OF that shore on that juno morning
pretty thoroughly.
Most of the small fire had come from penin-
sula with broad end iuNing out from the main
western shore. called Hicacal Point and from a
ppint Just to the he north Of the peninsula,
from which it is separated by the main channel
Of the harbor leading up to Caimanera. Tho
St Louis took position at the southerly
end OF the peninsula TO rake it northward.
water eastward of the upper point to attend to
the nusances there. The Marblehead from her
station well down the harbor steamed slowly up
TO gain favorable position whence her fire should
cross that OF the St Louis (only the St Louis
couldn't shoot that morning. and sent most Of
her shots away over into the channel beyond,
and once imperilled the Suwanee).
What is the range. navigator" Commander
McCaa asked as tho ship neared the position
he intended her TO take.
Nineteen hundred yards"
"Let them have one from the forward gun there
at 1000 yards. Have you got it? Fire"
The shot from the six FOUNDER fell into the
water not far from the shore.
20, you'll have to do better than that for ua
navigator Increase your range Ito the gunnerl
1876 yards and let go again"
The shell struck the sands Just outside tho line
OF the trees The ship until then had not quite come
to stop.
what now do you make the range, Navig ator!-
-Twenty-one hundred yards ~
Make tho range ZOO yards and make those
woods hot"
Other guns OF the ship beg an TO speak The St
Louis was sending her wild shots over into tho
channel The transport Panther was barking down
near the St Louis. The Suwanee was roaring
with her 5inch broadsides, as it seemed quickly
she was firing.
Signal the St Louis her shots are going over.
Who fired that last gun att? Amend your range
and fire into the brush there twenty-five hum
dred yards and little to the northward."
The Marblehead was using her port guns. as
she lay headed up the bay. Commander McCalla
stood on the port side OF the bridge, his glass at
his eyes one moment as he scanned the shore and
at his side the next as he watched his gunners on
the deck below at either side OF him. Tho guns
kept on speaking.
That midships gun has II right Put another
one right there. Signal Suwanee he'll be aground
II he runs down that shore any further Who 10
firing that alter gun? What do you mean? Send
that man up here!"
The commanders tone suggested sentence Of
Instant death A Swapping young fellow, with the
arms OF a blacksmith, came upon the bridge
Are you firing that gun? What ails you, Go
back and be careful Put the shots where tell
you"
From Just over the crest Of low hill at bend Of
he shore north and eastward OF the Suwanee
here came suddenly volleys OF musketry fire d.
'ected upon that active little ship.
ASK Capt Delehanty II he wants us 10 attend
% those fellows. Lovely"
This last exclamation upon swinging his glass
ust in time to the last shot from that trouble
some alter gun
"Put another one right there. Good The man
1t that gun stand out Splendid! That's what We
want"
This was said, be II remembered, to the same
nan who few moments before had been called to
he bridge for reproo and like the reprooi the COM
nendaton was hearty and public.
Gut shrapncl at 2. 800 yards and let those fel-
ows who are bothering Suwanee have IT,"
Such was McCalla on the bridge. The next az
ernoon the circling vultures over the peninsula
woods and above Hicacal showed that that morn
ng's work had not been In vain. Cubans later
aiken up by the Suwanee confirmed the indicAr
ions OF the buzzards.
TESTING ARMY REVOLYER2