Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-08-08
An ADMlaAL's llFf ON sAlpsoARD


THE oLrxPIA HonEwARD vorA0rNe.
II would seem odd to . civilian TO
have fivs-inch breech- loading rifles In
ones bedroom and sitting room, but Ad-
miral Dewey does not mind such arti-
cles Of furniture Ia his cabin on board
the Olympia. while on his way home
from the other side Of the globe he has
the same quarters that be occupied when
be went 20 attack Manila and In which
be has lived ever since-two big cabins
AFT, on The port side Of the ship. One Of
these, which he uses ~ dining and liv-
Ing room, 10 irregular 10 shape and 81
feet In length; the other, 10 feet long, 10
his bedroom, and In addition TO very
comfortable berth fashioned couch, con-
taius bureau and locker.
Tho admiral, having done all that his
country demands Of him, may take
things henceforth 40 easy ~ be likes.
On the Olympia, during her hoc,eward
trip, be 10 practically passenger travel
ing In semi-royal state. While every
thing on board Ia at his command, he
issues no orders except to his own per-
sonal attendants; he has no duties to
perform--not even to signing the official
msil-and he makes no reports. No
longer, AZ when the other ships were by,
IL the 0lympia's deck his battle platform
from which to direct the fleet. Capt.
Lamberton IL Ia command for the voy-
age, and Dewey would never think OF
interposing authority, except to arrange
the itinerary.
The admiral IL not Obliged TO get up
at any particular time 10 the morning (;
he might lie Abed all day II he choose.
He rises about 5 bells,--S A. M.,-and
takes his tub, which Is quite convenient
" nc hand. inasmuch as q bathroom Is
attached to his cabin. II he wants any
assistance, q steward, VINO Is his body
servant and fsctotuIn, Ia at hand TO
shave him, II he SO desires, but as a
rule, the hero Of Manila prefers to WELD
his own razor. His toilet is very care
fully made, for IL IL not without cause
that Dewey has been called the "dandy
OF the navy" He has often been heard
10 express the opinion that gentleman's
dress should be the outward and visible
sign OF inward and spiritual grace.
Z While he Is dressing the stewards lay
the cloth for his breakfast, which he
cats In solitary state. No Que "messes"
with the admiral unless specially invited.
II he chooses to take his meals at irregu-
lar hours nobody Is incon,enienced, for
= sepsrste range Is provided for his ex-
elusive benefit and he has his own cook.
The latter, In culinary matters, IL under
the direction OF the chief cook of the yes
sel, who Ia u sort Of chef, but he prepares
meals only for the admiral. All Of the
iatter's food 10 purchased by the steward
who acts as butler. When the ship hap
pens to be In port he goes ashore and
BUYS In the market whatever is desira-
BILE In the way of fresh provisions. Other
things, such "a sugar, rice, beans, pork,
cooking butter and canned meats, he
purchases from the paymaster on board,
paying for them 10 cash. Such articles
he gets ut cost price.
After breakfast the admiral devotes
two or three hours TO answering letters.
This occupies good deal OF his time
during his busiest days In Manila Bay.
He has begged people not TO write 10
him. but they persist In doing so, and,
ever since the famous fight OF Cavite, he
has been receiving immense numbers OF
communications from all parts Of the
world. Many OF them are from crapks,
bat Dewey IL an extremely punctillious
man and makes IL a rule TO reply 20
every letter, debating the answers to his
Office clerk.
The letter writing Is done In the sd-
miral's private office. This Office IL one
Of three little rooms just outside of his
cabin. The other two are the bathrooms
and the pantry. The pantry, which IL
the headquarters OF the steward, Il much
Ike any other pantry, with lockers, a
china closet and an Ice chest In which
are few bottles OF wine. Two .'cabin
boys" who are enlisted men over II
years Of age, assist the steward, q part
Of their duty being to keep the sdmirsrs
rooms In order. The admiral pays for
all provisions consumed by his steward,
cook and cabin boys on the same princi-
pie rs that which governs In q gentle
mans household.
After luncheon the admiral has his
time much 10 himself. II the Olympia
happens TO be In port he Ia more than
likely 10 receive a number OF visits some
OF which are official and have to be re-
turned. These are often a bore, but
Dewey Is the pink of courtesy and there
In always champagne In the Ice chest
ready for such occasions. IL Is custo-
mary TO offer champagne, but glass OF
red wine or beer will serve. Dewey,
though no tetotaier, Is exceedingly
moderate in his potations. He always
has box Of good cigars at hand. He
could not offer guest whiskey or any
other spirits even II Ii were asked for as
the regulations do not permit them TO be
kept on board ship by anybody but the
medical officer.
Under ordinary circumstances the
homeward voyage OF the admiral would
be punosnated by series Of dinners
given In his cabin In return for similar
courtesics offered to him by. dlguitaries
and persons OF prominence ashore. Ad-
mirsl Dewey Ii not In good health and Is
refusing all invitations, while refralning
from the giving Of entertainments. 0c-
casionally he invites Capt. Lsmberton or
one or two Of the wsrdroom officers to
take lunch or to dine with hun. II he
gave large dinner party the partition
that separates his cabin from the cap
tsin's quarters would be removed tenn
porarily and the captains dining-table
would be Joined to his own, provision
having been made for such an arrange
ment. The Olympus was built original
ly 10 serve as a fisgship, and It's cabins
are very commodious.
The captains quarters are similar to
those Of the admiral. As regulations
require, the sdmirals rooms are on the
port side OF the ship, while the captains
are on the starboard side. Although
economy has nothing TO do with Dewey's
self denial In the matter Of entertaining,
II saves him good deal of money, on
this voyage, as his bill for wines, cigars
and extra provisions would mount up to
several thousand dollars IL he were ex-
tending the customary Inequalities.
This Is always a source Of great expense
TO commanders Of United States vessels
In foreign waters. Uncle Sam expects
them to entertain with q view to pro-
noting the entente cordiale, but refuses
to pay cent toward II. A British Ad-
miral gets special allowance OF 5000
year for "table money"
Dewey has been poor man all his
life. He now draws $4,000 year,
which is equivalent TO Sl,0S3 month,
or 1852 day, or 81 IS an hour enough
to support the dignity of an admiral
very cOmfortably.-New York World.
~ have here" he said, ''the plans and
drawings Of the greatest aerial war ma
chine ever inyentad.n