The evening times., 1899-03-13
THE DOLPHIN NOW
A Thing OF BEAUTY
Completely 0verhauled Since
Her War Service Ended.
Crowds Visit the Dispatch Boat at
the Navy Yard.
Grew Expects Orders TO Go South for
the Sc of the Presidents
Party.

The dispatch boat Dolnhin presented
gala appearance while lying at her dock
in the navy yard yesterday. Throngs Of
visitors crowded the decks of the craft
viewing with admiration the many changes
and Improvements recently made on the
vessel. Fer weeks past the DoIphin's crew
have been busily engaged in painting and
otherwise decorating the boat.
At the outbreak of the Spanish -Ameri
can war il was decided to use the Dolphin
as a dispatch boat for Admiral Simpsons
squadron. On account of this all useless
fixtures were cleared from the decks and
the boat painted a dun gray. This was
done in conformity with orders from the
Navy Department stating that all war
vessels should be painted this co,or. so as
10 render them less conspicuous. After
having performed her duties as dispatch
boat between Key West and Cuba, at the
close CT hostilities the Dolphin was order
ed back TO the Washington navy yard
where she was stationed before the war.
No attempt was made 10 refit the boat un-
Ill a few weeks ago, when il was decided
to repaint and overhaul her. The work was
presents her former neat and attractive
appearance.
The entire hull has been painted snow
white. masts polished and oiled trimmings
vanished and all brass work FURNISHED
and cleaned. The machinery of the boat
has also been thoroughly overhauled and
the furniture OF the officers quarters re-
upholstered.
Recently Secretary Long entertained th7
q pf m lrl
The vessel and Mr.. Mckinley was asked 10
make any suggestion that seemed to him
desirable in refitting the boat. The PrGsi-
dents wishes in this matter have been COM
piled with. Although no orders have been
issued from the Navy Department. as get,
the officers and crew CT the Dolphin expect
to leave the navy yard for Southern wa
ters within the next few days.
An officer Of the boat in speaking to
Times reporter yesterday said that the or
der for the trip was expected at any time.
He further stated that when President Nc
kinley first signified his intention OF taking
d vacation il was thought thai the Dolphin
would be used for the purpose. This plan
was abandoned. however, and the Dolphin
Is now expected TO proceed 10 SoI4c point
on the Georgia CT Gulf Coast wncre she
viii be at the disposal of the irCsIisnt
aud his party during his stay at Thomas
IL
As an evidence that some such move is
contemplated, said the officer the !a.dar
has been fully prOyisioned with a large
quantity Of table delicacies such as wuIld
only be used in a case of this kind. The
vessel has also been placed in readiness TO
proceed TO sea at . moments notice.
Life On board the Dolphin is consider
ed a happy che by the sailors so fortunate
as 10 be assigned 10 her crew The same
discipline is observed, however and the
same duty required as on larger and more
formidable ships OF he navy Yesterday
being Sunday, no work Of any kind was
performed on the boat, nevertheless the
day was a busy one for the crew
The following routine of the days duty
was given TO the reporter by a non-com-
missioned officer serving on the vessel. At
5.i5 the ships bugler sounds "all hands
up and twelve minutes afterwards the
crew was supposed to be dressed and the
hammocks slowed away in nettings pro
vided for that purpose. The crew then
falls into line and receives its morning
coffee. each man being given about a pint
of ''hor java" At 6:15 the ships bugler
sounds that dreaded of all calls TO man
o. WARSAW, turn to- The crew. dressed
in white duck trousers then washes and
scrubs decks. This operation usually lasts
about three-quarterS OF an hour. Al the
tOAPlttlon OF lne NOFk the welcome
sound. called by the old tar ''ress gear"
is piped sgnifying that breakfast Is
ready. At 80. first cali TO the flag. sum-
mons all hands on deck. and. with the
sailors standing at attention. with barred
heads, Old Glory is unfurled from the
masthead. Again at SIS o'clock the b!-
gleT sounds turn to- and this time the
vessel is given thorough cleaning from /
stem to stern. the guns bsing polished and
cleaned Throughout. the deck holystoned.
paintwork cleaned. and quarters made
ready for inspection. At 9:20 first call TO
quarters is heard and a few minutes after
ward the quarters. and. in fact the entire
vessel is inspected by an officer de;a LED
for that purpose. At 9:45 the doIefuI
sound of sick call is heard, and the sick.
lame, and lazy go to the sick bay where
their sufferings and Affections are minis
tered 10 by the ships surgeon. At y
o clock mess gear summons ali hands
TO dinner Supper is served short Y before
dark and al o'clock the welcome tones of
taps ring through the ship. notifying all
hands that the days work is ended and
that they may now retire for the night.
This is known TO the old sailor as pipe
down.
This is the Sunday routine as followed
on board the Dolphin. On week davs
however, the hours not otherwise occupied
are taken up b. drills and theoretical and
practical instruction in handling the ma
chinery and guns. BY this il will be seeu
that the life of a sailor in Uncle Sans
Navy is not one of ease and leisure The
are occasionally given shore liberty,
yer, and occupy their time in all
IlIds of amusements.