The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-07

about 700 tons that was used for years as
dispatch boat and tender, was long al
legged 10 be haunted, because of certain
extraordinary noises heard in the ward
room about the beginning of the midwatch
every night. So persistent and gruesome
were these sounds that none of the ward
room boys could be persuaded to enter
the apartment, unless accompanied by a
commissioned officer, after 10 o'clock, when
lights were put out. Even the officers
were annoyed since the noises not only
interrupted the slumber of men liable to
be called for duty at any hour of the
night. but also increased the natural su-
perstition of the sailor. Mr.. X the Jun
Tor watch officer, professed to have been
kept awake several hours one night, and,
on his motion, a party was formed the
following evening with the intention of
surprising the ghostly visitant The off,
GERS sat up to an unusual hour maintain
ing perfect silence, but nothing happened
by O'Clock and they turned in
About forty minutes later the first lieu
tenant was Weakened by the sound of a
heavy body moving stealthily around the
Wardroom to the accompaniment of a
mutterinS voice. The lieutenant arose and
stepped out into the light that came dim v
from single lamp over the center table.
On the table itself he beheld the figure of
Mr.. X, dressed only in pajamas and NOV
ing In circle on hands and knees over
the polished mahogany. Meanwhile he
repeated over and over in sepulchral ac-
cents a mystic phrase: little pieces of
orange peel; little pieces of orange pee"
Being reused, Mr.. X explained that he had
dreamed he was on the verge of an i'm
portant scientific discovery The disclosure
that MIX was sleep-walker was thought
to solve the mystery; but, though he was
carefully watched thereafter. the noises
iF11a nfaI fI1x
New York she was sold and broken up.
Is the Fern Haunted.
The newest of our haunted ships is the
Fern, used throughout the Spanish war as
a supply vessel, but now turned over as a
practice ship to the naval militia of the
District of Columbia.
After the Maine disaster the Fern was
the first United States vessel TO visit Ha-
vana; several of the injured sailors were
taken aboard and two of the victims died
on her deck. Now 1t is stated that the
ship is pervaded by a peculiar and mex
plicable mystery. Being an old wood an
vessel, she never went TO sea, before her
visit to the Names wreck, without carry
ing large cargo Of rats. On her return
from Havana IL was noticed that the rats
were deserving her, singly. in groups OF
three or four, or in multitudes Iittle at
tenton was paid to this until one night a
down
Into the coal-bunkers, came up trembling
and white as a sheet. This man, a Maine
survivor, affirmed that while below he had
distinctly heard the voice of one of his
old shipmates grooming. Several officers
started down toward the coal-bunkers,
and, when nearing them, plainly heard
noises such as the sailor had described.
AS the party progressed the sounds graw
fainter and finally ceased. They are said
to have been heard since on several occa-
sions.
Another Fern ghost story is based on
the alleged apparition of a strange beast
that roams about the coal-bunkers, and.
when anyone approaches. takes refuge
near the propeller shaft. II is described as
shadowy creature, somewhat resem-
bling wildcat, though larger, with two
big yellow eyes that glare ferociously out
of the darkness Dogs have been taken
down TO attack this mysterious creature
several times, but they have fled to the
deck invariably with howls of terror, af-
ter nosing around a few moments.
The coast survey schooner Eager for