The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-11
A MODEL SCHOOL SHIP.

Once more tail spars, rakish masts and
bellying sails are TO be seen in the
United States navy, recalling the old, he
roic days of Perry, Lawrence, Tattnall
and others who, before the introduction
of steam and screws and steel armor
plates, made the navy illustrious. The
new ship Of the tall spars is not, indeed,
intended TO do any fighting, and expose
her beautiful and graceful top-hamper to
the terribly destructive long-range quick
firing guns of an enemy; nevertheless she
is a fully equipped and armed war ship,
and her especial function is to teach the
young American naval idea how 10 shoot;
and TO navigate, and to find ranges, and
other things needful to be known by the
officers of the most effective navy of its
tons and inches in the world She is the
splendid full-rigged school ship Chesa-
peake, now about ready to go into COM
mission and be attached TO the naval war
college at Annapolis.
While viewed at a distance, the Chesa-
peake may look like a reversion to the
old type, closer inspection will show
that she is strictly modern, except in mode
of propulsion. She will depend entirely
upon her sails, of which she will spread
something like 10000 square yards ana from
which, with a following wind, il is ex-
pected she will derive a speed of twelve
knots-quite a pace for a sailer. All of
her standing rigging is Of finest steel wire
in marked contrast to the hemp of the
IT. L. - -
anchors will be accomplished with steam
winches In the old navy it took elbow
grease and plenty Of il to perform these
jobs
But the most striking contrast between
old and new that the Chesapeake will
offer is to be found below decks; and some
Of the details viii probably bring remi-
niscent smiles TO the faces OF Dewey and
schley and other of the old sea dogs who
began their careers when learning to be
navy man was hard work under many
difficulties. The new school ship is steam
heated. and lighted throughout with cleo
tricity. The plumbing is almost as elabo-
rate as that of a frst-class hotel. including
every convenience. and there are hot and
cold shower and tub baths for the use of
the cadets. Think of 81 In the old DAYS
the boy had to douse his head in a bucket.
without fire or warmth when icicles were
forming on the rigging and then dance a
hornpipe about the deck to get his blood
into circulation; now the fortunate youth
may take his shower bath in a steam
heated room, and rub himself dry with a
clean crash towel. In the old days the ca
Diet had TO eat salt boss and ship bis
cult and in the summer drink tepid wa
ter from the casks. The Chesapeake car
ries refrigerating and distillng apparatus.
making II possible for her crew to have
cool water on draught all the time. and
fresh meats for dinner, and even ice cream
for dessert! When the old fellows see the
comforts and luXuries that have been pro-
vided for the young fellows It Will prob
ably bring a smile 10 their faces. and
they may ask themselves If the young
sters will not become effeminate. But
there isn't any danger of that. The fu-
lure admirals and commodores who are
now al school will prove themselves 10
be- chips of the Old blocks. aud there isn't
any good reason why rich and powerful
government should not provide them with
every modern comfort while they are per-
fecung themselves In their profession.