Mexico weekly ledger., 1900-03-29

cd 30 that we could obtain the best
possible view OF the torpedo boat
which was attached to the starboard
side, which was fartherest from ne,
but when opposite Us we shouted re-
quests to turn the ting around so as TO
bring the Holland nearer Us and give
us a thorough view of her, This he
kindly did and so we were within 30
feet of the little wonder and the Cap
tain and crew, who were on the tug.
The Holland looks more like an over
turned barge than anything else, is
painted gray, hae dark green steer
ing tower a little to the bow end of
her center, is about thirty feet long
and has swells at the sides In order to
furnish the necessary room. Her
man-hole and other openings are all
strapped down when abe makes her
dives. Some cay they would hate TO
make a trip under the water in her,
but think SHOULD enjoy it. Lieut..
Caldwell says in his report Of the boat
that no hitch or accident of any kind
occurred and every part of the ma
chinery was managed easily and
smoothly, and at no time was there
any confusion OF any sort, although
the commands were passed from one
man to another during the trial, the
loud noise OF the propeliing engine
making it necessary, the orders to the
engineer alone being given by bell.
A horizontal rudder keeps the boat at
the required depth and depth gauges
show the evenness of submersIon.
From the first immersion the water
seen through the headlights was en-
tirely opaque, but at maximum depth
was almost black. The air was at all
times entirely sweet. From such re-
ports as this IL is not difficult to judge
that the submarine torpedo boat Hol-
land viii ere long become annexed to
the navy of the United States, and we
may expect some day to hear won
derful things of her. But God pity
the men who form her crew In any
naval engagement, for it is ten to one
they will never see the blue sky again
afterward. They will be heroes In
deed, such as those of the Merrimac
were.
We are at last in our new quarters
and the satisfaction of 1t is great. This
is a new post built only since the
opening OF the last war, directly op-
posite Fort Washington, where we
were first stationed when we came
out here. We changed stations the
2oth of September and until the 9Th
of this month occupied temporary
quarters here. We are now very
nicely situated and / hope that we
will not soon be ordered elsewhere.
We have seven rooms, reception
hall, butler's pantry and bathroom,
three cabinet mantels 1.-TWO open
CRATES and one Latrobe heater), hard
wood floors, steel ceilings, hot and
cold water, electric bells and we hope
to get electric lights this spring. I
have excellent servants and we're
there more ladies on or near the post
would wish for nothing more. AS 10
lie, 1t is sometimes very lonely, es-
pecially as Mr.. Johnson's spare time
is all engaged in preparation for the
examination for Fret Lieutenant that
he will have to take II the Army Bill
passes Congress this spring. How It
could do otherwise than pass I can
not see, for should an attack be made
on this country to-day byfa foe of any
strength we would not have one-thlrd
enough men In the artillery to repel
an attack or man their guns. At q
recent inspection of artillery here
only enough men to man one gun
could be mustered, nor can 80 few
men give the Notifications anything
like the requisite care and attention.
Poor economy, that.
l fear 1 have monopollzed more
space than should. II go I hope
pardon is not impossible for one who
hopes that the best of all things shall
slwsys be given the LEDGER and iss
readers. Let me add that cordial
welcome always will at Fort Hunt
await our Missouri friends who visit
the East. Familiar faces are rare in
deed and very dear to US who are far
from "Grand Old Missouri"
Very Sincerely,
FRANCES HOWE JOHNSON.