Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-01
Members Of Naval Battalion at Har-
ward Yale Contest.
PRAIRIE THE CENTER OF INTEREST
Daily Routine Of the Jacky's Life
Aboard Ship.
II E A L T FL e K Lien T
Special From a STAR Correspondent.

NEW LONDON, Conn, June 80, 1859.
When the Naval Battalion left Washing
ton not one of its members had the slight
est idea that he would have an opportunity
to witness the Harvard-Yale boat race,
which is perhaps the feature of the year
In this part Of the country. Therefore, the
coming here at this time was an agreeable
surprise, and yesterday proved to be day
that will long be remembered by every
Washington Jack tar here. The Prairie
late Wednesday afternoon, entered the
Thames river and steamed slowly to a
point some distance above New London and
the recently constructed drawbridge An
Choir was dropped at point near that Sc
lected for the finish of the boat race The
trip up stream was full Of interest. Not
only was the scenery picturesque, but the
water was more or less crowded with craft
of all sorts and sizes. In the river near
its mouth, the U. S. s. Alliance was passed
and little further UP several United States
revenue cutters were posted. The Defender
and other famous racing yachts were ma
neuyering as the Prairie moved on. Above
the bridge the American, Sycamore and
other noted steam yachts had taken posi-
ton to view the race. Commander Macken-
zie selected an advantageous spot and
brought his ship to standstill. The Prai-
RE was Immediately the center of interest,
d
years that a craft of her size had pro-
ceeded so far ~ the Thames.
During Wednesday evening a band of
music, on tugboat, serenaded the war
ship, and number of visitors were re-
ceived aboard, including DR.. Gallaudet, the
Yale coach, and several other adherents of
Oid Eli The water presented pretty pic
ture during the early hours of the evening.
All the steam vessels had their search
lights in operation, and most of them were
brilliantly lighted from bow to stern. The
search light and the electric signal lights of
the Prairie Were placed at the disposal of
the officers of the Naval Battalion, who
made good use Of the opportunity.
Heavy Rainfall.
Shortly after O'Clock rain began falling.
of the night. At daybreak yesterday the
scene was dreary and dismal Overhead
was a thick canopy Of ominous-Iooking
clouds, and the afr was damp and disagree
able.
Rain before 7. clear before H." remark
ed sailor of the Prairie, and his prophecy
proved to be correct. AT the latter hour
the sun had succeeded in forcing a passage
through the clouds and was spreading
warmth and cheerfulness on all sides Dur
ing the early morning scores and scores of
craft arrived and took position on both
sides of the race course. Every boat was
in gala dress, flags and bunting being dis
played to an extent that suggested veri-
table forest of color. Steam launches fitted
to and fro like active insects, while the
larger craft also moved about ceaselessly.
Gayly-bedecked steamboats, passing up and
down on regular and special trips added
animation to the picture. Both the Yale
and Harvard steam yachts hurried about
everywhere, stopping at intervals to
quest certain craft to change position in
order not to encroach upon the course
staked off for the races. These yachts also
made known to the waiting multitude that
the freshman race, scheduled for 1880
O'Clock, had been postponed until the after
noen. a pleasing incident Of the day was
procession up stream of small boats from
the L. s. S. Alliance, crowded with appren-
ttce boys, who were permitted to go TO the
United States naval station on the Thames,
there to view the contest OF the college
oarsmen. E
A novelty for the Washington contingent
was the presence either side Of -fha
Thames, throughout the racing. Of what are
termed observation trains. Railroad tracks
extend for miles along both banks of the
river. almost at the waters edge. The OBJ
servation trains are made up of large
number of fiat cars on which are erected
tiers of seats, facing the river. The seats
are protected from the sun and weather by
canvas awnings or canopies. During the
progress Of the racing the trains were run
along at a speed that kept them abreast the
racing crews.
The Excited Observers.
Every seat on every train was occupied
by yelling. enthusiastic and in many in
stances. highly excited individual All this
constituted decidedly unusual living
picture for the folks from the national cap
ital who took it all in from their post OF
observation aboard the Prairie.
Prior to the races the members of the ba:
TALON amused themselves by endeavoring
to pick the winners, although no one ap-
parently possessed any definite information
the relative merits of the contrasting
crews.
The scene on the river last evening was as
interesting as during the morning Many
of the craft remained at their anchorage
over night did the Prairie, delaying
their departure until this morning.
There will he no further break in the
routine work of instruction on board the
Prairie until Piney Point is reached next
Monday evening. for which place the vessel
leaves this morning. The citizen sailors
apt TO be Jared considerably tomorrow
when full charges of ammunition will be
used in connection, with the firing of the
big guns.
DispropOrtiOn Manifest.
1t has become q matter of jest in the
ward room that the sick bay or hospital of
the Prairie has attached to it the ships sur
geon. the ships apothecary, the surgeon of
the Naval Battalion, the apothecary and
four baymen. or hospital attendants, from
the Naval Battalion, while the pinnacle or
sick list bears merely one solitary name.
And this man is not really sick. His trouble
is sore toe on which a bucket of coal
landed day two ago. while the indvid-
ual was on duty as coal passer. The health
of the ship, therefore, may be classed as
more than satisfactory, if not remarkable.
Should there be a run of illness or even
an epidemic, however, the medical depart
ment is prepared to meet such a state OF
affairs. The sick bay comprises two spa
cious apartments on the gun deck. One is
fitted up the shop of the apothecary
which resembles a miniature drug store A
portion of the room is furnished with a
porcelain bath tub in which patients may
be given salt or fresh water baths. The
other room is where those who may report
at sick call are received to make known
their troubles to the surgeon. This room is
also set apart for surgical work and has
an operating table and all the appurte-
nances for amputating limb, sewing I'D a.
cash, or, 1t is declared, removing a six
inch she'll The latter declaration has been
doubted by some of the Naval Battalion
folks, but the regular attaches of the ship
suilingly assert that il given the oppor-
tunity they will demonstrate the accuracy
of the allegation.
The Brig Excites Respect.
Another portion Of the ship worthy of
mention Is the brig. This Is prison or