Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-08-22
JACKIES ASHORE.
How They Saved Themselves
at Valparaiso.
BY A UNITED STATES
JACK TAR.
% ocoo COCO ocoo COCO OK

1t happened IN the forties. We were
heartily tired of the dull monotony of
our California life ere we had been in
Monterey three months. To be confined
on board ship IN harbor is wearisome
enough at any time. but more especial
~ in SO lifeless a port as Monterey was
then.
In places Of so great resort for men
of-war as Rio and Valparaiso various
little incidents kept the mind excited
and caused time to pass quickly if not
pleasantly.
At different times some saluting took
place in the harbor, and the cause OF it
formed a topic for general conversation
among the men But in Monterey bay
there were none of these things-no
bumboats. no strange vessels coming in
or going ont, nothing to see or TO do or
70 think about.
4 more tedious life than ours could
not therefore we'll be This experience
was that of all the crew. not excepting
even the officers, and heartily glad
were we when it began TO be whispered
about that our sailing day was not far
distant
The boatswain's hoarse summons TO
"all hands up anchor for the United
States" was received with three cheers.
The capstan bar flew around, the an
chors were quickly at the bows and the
topsails sheeted home and hoisted. and
as the ships head swung 10 the breeze
we manned the rigging and gave three
times three cheers. which were cordial
ly retugned by the crews Of some half
dozen men-of-wa then IN port
With favoring winds all the way. not
being detained by the usual calm in
crossing the line. we arrived. after 46
days run. at Valparaiso.
Here all hands were given run on
shore, a privilege of which we were not
sorry to avail ourselves
As homeward Founders we We're look
Cd up to ashore and among the crews
Of the other men-of-war in the harbor
as fortunate beings. ana it was with
feeling of pity that we looked down up
on the poor fellows who were doomed
TO pass another year or two upon "the
station" and presumed not a little upon
our superior fortune
The ships company was divided into
four shore parties. each division being
allowed three days liberty.
II was usual to make the division In
such eases by watches or quarter
watches. but in this case II was made
UP from a good behavior book kept by
the captain ana commander those
whose names stood highest on this be-
ing permitted 70 90 first on shore while
those whose previous conduct had plac-
ed them lower were reserved for the
last party. Among this last party were
of course included all the worst drunk
happens at sea. those whose characters
for sobriety and general ordcrlincss of
behavior stood lowest on the captains
book were at the same time the smart
est men in the ship. the very best sea
men.
Having 10 liberty men to follow
them, this last party determined upou
having grand spree and agreed not to
come off TO the ship until they We're
fairly driven on board Accordingly
when their allotted three days were out
but very few came. off. The rest. stow
Ing themselves away where there was
everything which a sailors heart de-
sires. awaited the turn of events such
action was hardly prepared for On
board. and one days grace was gireu
them in which 10 render themselves up.
Scarcely n man awaited himself Of this.
those who still remained having organ
ized themselves into a band determined
70 resist amy attempt at q forcible cap
tire and to return on board voluntarily
when they had their spree ont
Tie second day after the expiration
of their liberty notice was gieea the
yisilantes ashore that - shillings re-
ward would be paid Tor every man Of
the crew returned on board
Several who had carelessly strayed
about town were brought aboard fl tho
course Of the day, the reward for their
capture coming. Of course. as il always
did in such cases. out Of their own
pockets
The third day came aud now the re-
ward for each man taken was raised 70
81 shillings This ser the entire police
force Of Valparaiso agog. as it was
known thar there were sim nearly 1gn
men ashore. and the reward for their
capture would prove a neat little sum.
The tars by this time had had their
spree out and were quite willing 70 re-