Arizona republican., 1899-11-21

more. At u m. we embarked on the
government tug Mcdowell at the Pre-
SidiO docks for Frisco and
loaded on the great new trans
port Columbia, which is an
ideal ship and well deserves the
name. At exactly els p. m. she drew
anchor and steamed out into the bay
mid shouts from the people of Frisco.
and salutes from the Iowa, Marble
head and Newark. The boys We're all
happy. but OH what a change next
day, and it wasn't inconsistencies
either For the first day we were afraid
we were going TO die, and the next
afraid we wouldn't But finally we all
got over it and the kitchen was the
principal point of attack. After an
eight days sail we arrived in Hon
olulu on regatta day. which is a ma
tional holiday of the Hawaiians. The
bay was gayly decorated with flags of
all nations and the docks and tugs
were crowded with the people watching
the races. When the transport Co
lumbia hove in sight a mighty cheer
went up and the native band played
"A Hot Time" which was responded
to by our band playing My Honolulu
Choir in the bay and the boys ate sup
per on shore. We We're all anxious to
find some one we knew. He turned
out to be Mormon Orme of Phoenix,
who holds a position there in the pos
office. You may be sure he was glad
to see us and we were to see him. We
spent two days in the city of Honolulu
in sightseeing, with Mormon as guide,
hi 70 q
sorry when we had to leave, and he
was sorry to part with so many of
his Phoenix friends, and would have
Joined us there if his mother and
brother had not been there with him
On the night of our departure our
band gave the people a concert at the
Hotel Hawaii. which was well attended
and highly appreciated. AT IL p. m.
on the 18th we sailed out of the har-
Dor. and the next stop was Manila,
twenty-six days sail. which was put
in in constant drilling. Reveille $50 a.
M. bathing until a. m, breakfast
$50, a. m. sick call a. m, which was
answered very seldom, except by one
of our lot. who is down at the present
time The rest are all healthy lot-
At a. m. we had guard mount, at
a. m. on-commissioned officers
school. 10 to II a. m. drill, 1850 a. m.
inspection of quarters and at II m
dinner Resting UP, telling yarns and
reading until 2:30 p. m. when we drilled
one hour at p. m. we had Inspection
of quarters again and at p. m. sup
per. at 6 D. m. retreat sounded and all
hands on deck. after which we had
band concert at T:30 all retired "
company F's quarters where we spent
our evenings in gymnastics, including
boxing gloves, which we were thought
full enough to buy before leaving
Frisco. At p. m. tattoo. and at 9:.'o
p. m. taps sounded and all were sup
posed to retire so you see we mad
plenty to do to break the nionotony on
board. on Monday. October ?, while
at drill the fire alarm sounded on
board and all hands were ordered
above with life preserVers. The next
order was to man the lifeboats. The
crew were working like Trojans low
ering the boats, while others were
working the fire hose and we, poor SOL
diers. all excited. But this turned out
no use" 1t was only a false alarm
But on Tuesday October >, we had
good reasons to be excited. as the wind
began to blow and the waves rose as
high as mountains. We at FIST thought
it a small squall but it turned out to
be a genuine old typhOOn. We were
Immediately ordered below the matches
were batted down and for four long
days and nights how we did suffer. eX-
pecting every minute to be our last. as
wave after wave swept over the boat.
tearing away our hospital. bath houses
and part of the bridge deck. Hhe life
boats were smashed on their swings
like egg-shells. On the second night of
the storm the water got so deep in the
fire hold that the Chinese firemen de-
serted their posts and had to be driven
back by the guards at the point of the
bayonet. On the third night of the
storm the crew gave up all hope of
saving the vessel and all hands were
ordered on deck, except US poor NOR
tails. who were to be left TO die like
rats in a trap. Some of us could not
stand the intense heat and foul air of
the dungeon any longer and ventured
on deck at the risk of our lives, where
we beheld the most awe-inspiring
scene it has ever been our fate to wit
ness. 1t cannot be described, as one
water and the next she could not be
seen. Sometimes on these big waves
our boat was tossed as if she were an
egg shell. The last thirty-siX hours OF
the storm we were practically at the
mercy of the waves. While imprisoned
below deck only one officer came TO
encourage the men. He crawled
through the coal bunkers and over
., .Se1- 1f hi
own life That brave man was the
captain of company F, Frank G. Rus
sell. of Phoenix. He always came to
US no matter what the danger and with
a smile on his face and some cheering
word. He is now idOlized (mOre so
than ever by every officer and man in
the battalion.
On Saturday morning, October :,
we were released FROM prison and our
hatchways were opened. The first one