The National tribune., 1900-01-11
SHERMAN, HONOLULU

L
| EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Though
we have had plenty of sea-room and rur
afOul of nothing more solid than heavy
swells, a few squalls, and an occasional
heavy wind so. far on our trip, we have
had what might fairly be termed a rocky
time.
| One of the sailors when aske1 what
made the boat rock so much replied rather
| irreverently:
Because there are SO many sky-pilots
aboard"
One reason why the Sherman has rocked
and pitched more than it usually does is
due to the fact that it has been very lightly
loaded
Two thousand tons of coal were chuted
into the bunkers at San Francisco, and
| this. with few hundred tons of provisions
and ballast, comprises the cargo.
The human freight is also lighter than
usual. Besides the ships complement
of officers and men, 10 in number, it is
carrying 81 army officers of various grades,
from Second Lieutenant to Major; 25 civil
ians, including dignitaries, clerks, and
mechanics, and but 623 enlisted men.
1t will be seen that this is a very light
load when it is taken in account that this
| transport has gross tonnage of 5,790, a
net tonnage of 3,725, and is authorized by
law to carry 1916 pee pie.
Sails have been hoisted a part of the
time, which have served in some degree
to retard rolling and steady the ship.
The management of a Government trans
port is unique in the fact that there are
really three heads or commanding officers
each supreme in his own way. These
officers are the Master of the Ship, the posi-
ton held in this vessel by Capt. Grant,
who controls the navigation Of the vessel,
and is responsible for the discipline and
efficiency of the crew. The Transport
QuartermaSter, or Super-cargo, is also a
chief, who has general charge of the ship
and its business, and is responsible for the
care and disposition of passengers and
freight until delivered at destination.
Capt. James c. Reed, G.. S., U. S. ", eff
GENTLY performs the duties of that Office on
the Sherman. He had a capable clerk
also, Mr.. H. V. Bootes, formerly Quarter
master of the 1st Del. Vols. The officer
whose authority is really supreme upon a
| Government transport, however, is the
highest ranking officer in charge of troops
who happens to be on board. Such an
officer is held responsible not only for the
discipline of his immediate command, but
in general for the welfare Of the ship and all
on the vessel. If officers of higher rank
without troops happen to be on board they
are regarded merely as passengers In our
case Maj Kirkman, of the 49th U. S. Vol.
Inf. is the officer in command, and the
discipline is all that could be desired
Regular dlills in arm, body, and leg
movements, and in the manual Of arms,
are now performed daily.
| Military authority on transports is
likely to be executed promptly and without
waiting for the action of courts~martial.
This was illustrated the third day out in
the degradation of colOrcd Corporal
Capt. II. Blunt was Officer of the Day, when
he accidentally heard the Corporal talking
linSolently to a sentinel.
strip off his stripes and put him in the
dungeon" was the blunt command.
The only other tragic incident that has
occurred thus far was the drowning Of pet
dog that fell overheard and failed to keel
up with the ship. The guils which always
follow in our wake tried to save him, but he
proved rather too large n morsel. He
was probably inferred with proper cere
monies III the stomach of Il huge shark
which one OF our medical corps saw along,
lside.
Transport life is more than likely to be,
leone monotonous, because of the routine
lenforced by the regulations of the army
transport service. The better the officers
the more exact this routine is likely tC
become.
The hospital of the Sherman, in charge
of Surgeon Henry Bradley, is equipped
with all modern and scientific appliances
for insuring care, cleanliness, and comfort
Itoits inmates, while trained and experienced
assistants are in attendance.
Of the immediate members Of our party
lsent out to assist the Pay Department al
Manila Mr.. II. B. Bryan has had the longest
leXperience in the service. He is q native
Avon, n. Y, and was clerk for Paymaster
ICol. Rodney Smith from 1882 to 1893, serv-
ing in Oregon, San Francisco, and the East.
He then served with Col. Carey, late PAY
master-General, till 1895, and under Col.
Wilson in New York City since.
Mr.. S. A. Cuneo, a native of Upper
Sandusky, o.. served under Maj Arnold,
Maj. Coffin, Maj. Huston, and Mai Cleland.
Mr.. Cuneo is journalist, and is especially
apt in realistic description.
The first service of Mr.. W. s. Vidor. a
native of Galveston, Tex, was with Mai
j.. j. Halford, late Secretary to President
Harrison. He subsequently served with
Maj. Foster.
Mr.. j. II. Swan, a native of New York,
served as clerk to Maj. Smiley, and subse.
quently was associated with Mas. May
and Marsh.
Mr.. Hisson is the youngest of the party,
and native of Fostoria. o.
The weather is now very mild. The
mountains of MOlokai We're sighted this
morning when the estimated distance tC
port was but IS miles, Every one was in
good spirits, and some one began whistling
Hello, Ma Baby"
But. alas, on reaching Honolulu, and
| the pilot signaled for reaches us, we are
informed by him that the bubonic plague
is raging there, and we are not permitted
to land.-H. C. KIRK.