Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-01

ito view With profoundest respect the
infinite, capability of the human mind
to resist the Introduction of l1nowl-
edge"
y LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVE.
the founding of the Annapolis Acade-
my, young men who wished TO become
naval officers were often sent to cruise
in the merchant service before they
applied for uniforms. Cooper, in 1906,
shipped before the mast on q vessel
bound for Europe lie visited Eng
land saw Gibraltar, and passed
through two heavy gales. In 1908, he
was Il mdshipman on board the Vesu-
vius. and thence proceeded to Lake
Ontario to aid in building the brig
Oneida. He was fortunate in his COM
mander, Wolsey, whose life he after
wards slIetched for magazine, and he
gave to his profession the close at
tentl0l he had refused to pay to the
classics. After some gunboat service
on Lake Champlain, he was ordered
TO the Wasp, then under Lawrence, a
native of Cooper's birthplace, Btrling-
ton. 1t is doubtful if the naval an
nails of the world can furnish Il man
who eXcclled Lawrence in winning the
hearts of those under his command
Though n typical sea- dog with scarce
had gentleness and courtesy painful
~ rare on the old time quarter deck.
1t is pleasant to think of Cooper near
ing from the lips of Lawrence the story
of that glorious night when Decatur
ran into Tripoli harbor, and when the
angry Bashaw saw the Philadelphia
burn before his eyes. No one heard
with more pride than Cooper the news
OF the stirrrng afternoon when Law
renee sent the Peacock IL her wa,ery
grave. and no one save n widow more
regretted Lawrence's defeat and death
than the subordinate of former days.
An carly marriage was soon follow
cd by retirement from the navy, but
Cooper had learned great deal from
the ocean and the lakes, the forecastlc
and the quarterback. He had formed
acquaintances among naval officers,
ana his liklngs were as strong as his
Hrejudicos. Thfrty-scven years after
his first cruise. he showed his loyal
friendship for an old shipmate. Coop
er Was a tireiess worker. who relished
long journeys for data. and swallowed
-tahlcs of figures. With industry he
Joined the art that makes the dry
bones live. and the backbone that in
sists on doing justice to an enemy.
THE CHANGING VIEW.
For some years before the War Of
lSl2. it was generally believed that a
britlsh inan-ot-war could not be beaten.
ne trtumphs of our seamcn brought
ABOUT change of sentiment and fool
ish writer's launched into absurdities.
AS rule. our ships were heavier in
battery and carried stronger crews
IMAM their opponents. English critics
mad declared that Il frigate could not
carry heavier long guns than fS-pound-
ers without injury. We proved that -.
Founders were terribly effective. Amer.-
Gun Judgment was correct, and Ameri-
can Sunnery was far moro accurate
than that OF our enemies. Instead OF
giving the facts. little spread ea..les
screamed the widest nonsense about
our Victories ever great odds. when the
odds We're really on our side. British
scrlpbiers wrote us wildly and falsely.
eNngSeratinG The force of American
Snips, and claiming thet all oar best
sailors were English rcnegades James.
Sha British naval historian OF the war
% ISL, was q man of decided ability.
and gives much valuable information.
put his hatred ~ America leads him to
Scrihbe what no sane man can believe.
For instance he wishes to prove that
The Hornets small list Of wounded Is
raise. ana asserts that several wounded
men Mcre thrown overheard by Captain
riddles orders. He also tells legend
OF q British frigate. which declined TO
chase an American ship OF greater force.
This may have been. but James adds
mat the British tars We're so keenly
disappointed at missing fight that
IneY refused their grog. Believe this he
VINO can When Il man Of such genuine
capacity as William james could write
IN this vein, what could be expected
rom the lowest type OF British pamph-
leteer or American editor?
COOPER AND FAIR PLAY.
Coor9r had married into Tory fam
lily and his Revolutionary patriotism
was unmiXod with hatred for the hon
est supporters of the Crown. Full of
naval traditions. he could not look on
q brave enemy as Il being with horns,
hoofs and a tail. His love of fair play
shows. TO quote one of hundred in
stances. IN what he says of the fight
between the Wasp and the Reindeer:
1T is difficult to say which vessel be-
haved the best In this short but gall
liant combat" The fragmentary records
OF the Revolutionary navy gain new
charm as handled by one who had lis
tened TO Dale, as he talked OF Paul
~