Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-09-28

command who have tried in every in
stance to make the cruise a success from
| every standpoint. The cruise about to be
completed has been the most successful of
| It's kind and more benefits have been de-
rived from this cruise than any in the his
| tory OF the organization The men ham
| died the ship completely without any out
/ side assistance whatever, and carried out
all the maneuvers as laid down by the
ships officers. The officers under Com
mander Hams, to whom much credit is due
for their untiring efforts, include Chief En-
| gineer Thomas w. Power, Lieut.. r. B.
| Brummett. Executive Officer Ensign How.
| ard Fisk, Acting Paymaster Lieut. Joseph
/ A. Dempf, Ensign G. A. Berry, Ensign J.
| A. Darneille. Ensign r. NJ. Little, Acting
Surgeon and Pay Clerk F. W. Sigourney.
strict Discipline Maintained.
The discipline as strictly maintained by
Commander Hams at all times proved one
| of the features of the present cruise and
| had a marked effect upon the men. The
| naval regulations were followed closely
| each day, and now the District 'jackes'
| have an idea of what is required of the
| man-o-war's man in the regular service
| and the duties he performs
| The Fern came to anchor last night at
midnight Just off Marshall Hall, and got
under way again this morning promptly al
| 7 o'clock The weather was heavy and a
slight drizzling rain falling at the time.
| AS the reserves neared Washington the
| drizzle turned into heavy rain. Inc men
| withstood the trip, however without COM
plaint and kept at their stations through
out it all until their relief came.
| The Fern put to sea Wednesday afternoon
| for target practice After Cape Charles
and Cape Henry were passed target prac-
| tice began with the one-pounders and con-
| tinued until dark The course was then
changed and the Fern headed up the Ches-
| apeake bay. Shortly after midnight heavy
weather developed and a strong northeast
| of rain, with binding flashes of lightning,
made the trip up the bay rather unpleasant
| for those on watch. The llfeboats crew
| was mustered and every precaution taken
| to prevent loss of life or any damage In the
event that the storm grew worse. All of
| the matches were lowered and everything
| made secure and oilskins were broken out
| and those on duty fully equipped for the
| emergency. The mouth Of the Potomac
river was reached shortly before 3 o'clock
| Thursday morning. "AI hands" were
called at Corniheld Harbor, just west Of
| Point Lookout.
| Shortly after leaving Norfolk Commander
| Hams, while on the bridge gave the officer
| of the deck the order to ring the fire bell.
Lieut.. Joseph Dempf, who happened to be
| on watch at that time, became startled at
the order and sounded the bell. all the time
| wondering if the ship was on fire. The men
| Immediately FASTENED to their stations in
| the different parts of the ship and within
| forty seconds two streams of water were
| playing This included dispatching word
| to the engine room and turning on the
pumps at that point. The ceremony was
without warning to any one, and every man
(! aboard ship was under the impression that
| there really was fire on board.
Thursday Bright and Clear.
The weather Thursday morning, after the
rough weather of the night preceding, was
| all that could be desired. The sun shone
| brightly throughout the entire day, and not
| the slightest trace of a storm was visible.
| At O clock all hands were deck and put
| to work cleaning down decks and polishing
bright work. At 8 O. clock general quarters
/ was sounded, after which a target was
| rugged and preparations made for target
| practice in Chesapeake bay. The work at
| the guns included sub-caliber and full
| charge practice at the two :;-inch guns, two
| 1-pounders, one 6-pounder and the two Colt
| automatic guns. Ten rounds were allowed
| the distances were 800 and 1,OO0 yards with
| the floating targets.
The target consisted of triangular skel-
/ eton raft with ten-foot mast upright
| surmounted with red flag. The triangular
pieces of canvas were painted with Bulls
| eyes, in proportion to the size of the can
| vas. The target was made in such a way
| that with the three wings bull s-eye was
| always in sight, no matter what the posi-
| ton was. The huge piece of mechanism
| was then hoisted overheard, and the Fern
| moved off to the sO0-yard mark. She circled
| around the target, and then the tackles
proceeded to make things lively. Before
| allowing the men to fire, however Com
officers on the bridge, and cautioned them
| to be active and prevent any accidents
while firing was in progress. The other
members OF Capt. Hams staff, with glasses,
| kept strict observation continually to
prevent firing while any sailing craft were
| in range of fire.
The feature work at the guns was done
by Terrell. Sullivan and Beckman at the