The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1901-08-17
JACKIES ASHORE.
How They Saved Themselves
at Valparaiso.
BY A UNITED STATES
JACK TAR.
Observation-Disclosures

Zoo COCO ooco COCO occ 10 occo oco
1t happened in the fortes. We were
hct, ,.!y tired Of the dull monotony Of
our California life ere we had been in
Monterey three months. To be confined
Oh board ship in harbor is wearisome
enough at any time, but more especial
" in so lifelcss port rs Monterey was
then.
In places Of 80 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 harhor and the cause of it
formed a topic for general convcrsatl ion
among the men. But In Monterey bay
there were none of these thlngs.-no
bumhoatS no strange vessels coming in
or going out. nothing to see or to do or
to think about.
A more tedious life :aan ours could
not therefore well 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.
40 Ina a n
chors were quickly at the bows and the
topsuils shetted home and loisted, and
as the ships head swung to the breeze
we manned the rigging and gave three
times three cheers, which were cordial
ly returned by the crews of some half
dozen men-of war then in port.
With favoring winds all the way, not
being detained by the usual calm in
crossing the line. we arrived, after AZ
days run, at Valparaiso.
Here all hands were given run on
shore, a privilege of which we were not
sorry to avail ourselves
As homcward FOUNDERS we We're look
ed up to ashore and among the crews
| Of the other men-of war in the hnrb0r
as fortunate beings, and 1t was with a
| feeling of pity that we looked down up
on the poyr fellows who We're doomed
! to pass another year or two upon "tho
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.
It was usual to make the division in
such cases by watches or quarter
watches. but in this case it was made
M from good behavior book kept by
the captain ana commander, those
whose names stood highest on this he
ing permitted to go first on shore. while
those whose previous conduct had pIac
ed them lower Were reserved for the
last party Among this last party were
Of course Included all the worst drunk
ards and wild fellows, and, as Otter
happens at sea, those whose characters
for sobrcty and general ordcrliness Of
behavior stood lowest on the captain!
book were at the same time the smart
| Vs. tIl'fi ~ wv Hh'l'i WV N'lJ ''Sl 81
men.
Having no liberty men to follow
Them this last party determined upol
having grand spree and agreed not II
come off to the ship until they wer
fairly driven on board AccOrdingl,
when their allotted three days were on
but very few came off. The rest, stow
ing themselves away where there wa
everything which a sailors heart de
sirrS, awaited the turn Of events, Sue
action was hardly prepared for OF
board. and one days grace was give
! them in which to render themselves u[
Scarcely a man awaited himself of thi.
those who still remained having organ
lied themselves into band determine
to resist any attempt at forcible car
ture and to return on board voluntarl
when they had their spree out
The second day after the expiratio
OF their liberty notice was given tn
vgilantes ashore that 90 shillings r,
ward would be paid for every man {
the crew returned on board.
StNelul WHO uHu taTtleSSiS StIuNt
about town we're brought aboard in ii
course Of the day, the reward for the
capture coming, of course, as It Away
did In such cases, out Of their ow
pockets.
The third day came, and now the r
ward for each man taken was raised {
~ shilings. This set The entire polit
force Of Valparaiso agos. as II vi
known that there were still nearly II
men ashore. and the reward for the
capture would prove n neat little SUI
The tars by this time had had the
spree out and were quite willing to r
turn on board. but not as captlves an
worse yet, with the prospect Of payil
FOR their own capture. The vigilantt
however were unwilling to allow the
prey TO escape so easily and refused
let them go except as prisoners.
"Well," said one of the party VIII
this news had been brought to them
few OF their number who had been
a hold parley with the police. III tn
n want US let 'em come and get us o.
n Vet us be ready for 'em, boys, for '
: must get aboard today somehow"
v All hands now armed. some havi