The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1899-01-27

UNKNOWN HEROES.
Two Incidents Aboard the Chicago
and Olympia Heretofore
Unrecorded.

1lncidents related by an cf1icer OF the
havy:
# 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
Zone of the guns, a Illuminating cap, with
n lighted fuse attached accidentally fell
a down one OF the elevator openings.
Il These openings, used exclusively for
the hosting of ammunition. have
continuous decline, but at varying
angles, to the magazine, aud the danger
of an exploding cap in the magazine
cannct be overestimated.
simultaneously, almost with the fall
ing Of the cap and its burning fuse,
middle-aged member of the guns crew
plunged down the elevator opening
and after sliding around corners and
down different inclines he reached the
magazine in time to stamp the fire
from the fuse and so remove the posi-
biity of a calamity.
The accident ard the seaman's quick
witted bravery were so close together
that the inciden. in its entirety attract
ed 70 attention and so was known only
10 the members of the gun crew, of
which the seaman was member 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 lad ary 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 us to the cause
of the order. II 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 liue for the parade arC
the admiral and his entire staff, gor-
geous in swords. chapeauN and epau-
lettes, stood before the Hmpany. Aft
er necessary prelimnaries prescribed
by the drill manual the admiral com
manded 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 continued; Il de-
mand your resignation from the serv-
ice of the United States rs a seaman il,
the United States navy" Baker began
to irembc and could not speak Agair
the admiral demanded the resigna lion,
and the seamal, as white as he could
be through the tan OF constant expo
sure, touched his cap and answered;
"Aye. aye, sir"
Then Admiral Walker continued:
"By virtue of the authority in me vest
ed as commander of this fleet. | hereby
promote Ordinary Seaman Baker, of the
cruiser Chicago. to be bo'sun aboard
this ship, said promotion 10 date from
u to-day. and make this formal recogri-
,ion of Bo'sun Bakers merit as re
ward for his exceptional devotion TO
duty and 10 the service OF his country
courage and presence of mind"
shortly thereafter the crew was as
tanished to ste Baker touch his cap.
and with faint aye aye, sir" turn
and. dashing between the ranks, run
forward and disappear The parade was
dismissed and at once all tongues were
going congratulating Baker upon his
promotion and praising him for his
bravery. the entire story having been
rehearsed to the crew. But that night
Baker could not be found, he had Sc
cretcd himself so perfectly.
Bakers next appearance, like his
last one. was marked by unheard-oi
violation of the ships rules. 1t was
on the morning following his promo
tion that he suddenly appeared ard
walked aft without returning the sa'
lutes of seamen and without saluiing
his superiors. 1t happened that Ad
miral Walker was on deck, and Baker
marching directly 10 him, halted
touched his cap. and said:
II beg your pardon. Admiral Walker
IN but don't know enough to be bo'
~ sun"
"iou are ho'sun. SIR" answered The
admiral. with quiet smile.
"But i don't know enough to be 1
4 bo'sun," responded Baker rs, standing
n at attention, he touched his cap.
"fou ARE bo'sun. Go forward. SIR
answered the admiral, at which Bakci
touched his cap with AYE, aye, sir,
and shaking as though from a fit O
Rgue he returned to his part of TIL,
chin