The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-13
UNKNOWN HEROES.
rwo Incidents Aboard the Chicago
and Olympia Heretofore
unrecorded.

orpized in the United States navy, arc
admirably illustrated by the following
Incidents related by an officer of the
navy:
Several years ago when the White
Squadron upon its Atlantic station was
new and center OF interest, the cruiser
Chicago was the flagship and Admiral
walker was In command. The Chicago
was out on target practice when, at
one Of the guns, Illuminating cap, with
lighted fuse attached accidentally fell
down one OF the elevator openings.
These openings, used exclusively for
the hosting of ammunition, have a
angles, to the magazine, and the danger
of an exploding cap in the magazine
cannut be overestimated.
simultaneously, almost. with the fall
ing Of the cap and its burning fuse,
mdde-aged member of the guns crew
plunged down the elevator opening
and after sliding around corners and
down different inclnes be reached the
magazine in time to stamp the fire
from the fuse and so remove the posi-
blity OF calamity.
The accident ard the seaman's quick
witted bravery were so close together
that the inciden. in its entirety attract
ed 10 attention and so was known only
10 the members OF the gun crew, OF
which the seaman was a mem Der. Sea-
men cannot safely talk over incidents
and ship experience before they are
officially known, so that aside from the
members of this particular crew, no
one aboard ship had aEy explanation
of the fact that on the day following
dress parade of the entire ships crew
was ordered. Even the gun crew men,
toned were in doubt as to the cause
of the order. Il reported the case to
the admiral" said the captain of the
crew, but don't know whether the
parade ordered has anything to do with
my report
Promptly on time every well man
aboard the Chicago. dressed in his best
outfit, was in line for the parade ard
the admiral and his entire slaf. gor-
reous in swords chapeaux md epau-
lettex, stood before the &mpany. Aft
er necessary preliminaries prescribed
by the drill manual the admiral com.
manGed: Seaman Baker, step for
ward"
The hero of the magazines salvation
changed color, but was prompt and
proper in answering the command, but
when the admiral continues: Il de
mand your resignation from the serv
ice OF The United States as a seaman II
the United States navy" Baker begaI
to tremble and could moi speak. Agrif
the admiral demanded the resignation
and the senma,.. MS white as he coule
be through the tan OF constant expo
sure, touched his cap and answered;
AYE. aye, sir"
Then Admiral Walker corfinued
ABv virtue Of the authority in me vest
ed. MS commander of this Acct. | hereby
promote Ordinary Seaman Baker. OF th'
cruiser Chicago, TO he bo'sun aboart
This ship, said promotion TO date from
to-day. and make this formal reeo2ri
ton Of Bo'sun Bakers merit as a re
ward for his exceptional devotion Il
duty and TO the service Of his countr,
under circumstances requiring grea
courage and presence Of mind"
shortly thereafter the crew was as
tlnished TO see Baker touch his cap
and with faint aye, aye. sir, turl
and, dashing between the ranks. run
forward and disappear. The parade wa
dismissed. and at once all tongues weT
going cougrntulaiing Baker upon hi
promotion ard praising him for hi
bravery. the entire story having peel
rehearsed to the crew. But that nigh
Baker could not be found. he had Sc
creted himself SO perfectly.
Bakers next appearance, like hi
last one. was marked by unheard-o
violation of the ships rules. II wa
cn the morning following his promo
ton that he suddenly appeared ar
walked aft without returning the sa
lutes OF seamen and without salutin
his superiors. II happened that Ad
riral Walker WAS on deck, and Baker
marching directly TO him, halted
touched his cap. and said:
II beg your pardon. Admiral Walker
but don't know enough to be bo
SUM-"
You are no sun. sir" answered III
admiral. witt quiet smile.
but I don't know enough to be
ho'sun." responded Baker as, standin
at attention. he touched his cap.
You are bo'sun. Go forward. sir.
answered the admiral. at which Bake
touched his can with ave, ave, sir,