The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-28
HOVE TO FOR A sTIMULANT.
An Incident That Interrupted the
Progress of n Fleet.
CFrom the Kansas City Starr


THE war correspondent or artist whose
talents have been engaged exclusively
Upon land is as much out of place at sea
as soldier would be in the management
OF warship. said Surgeon r. p. Gran
DAN of the Naval Recruiting Board in
the Federal Building. today. This fact
was emphasized in the case of Frederick
Remington, the noted painter of soldiers
and cowboys and horses. Remington
was my guest on the Iowa and a boon
companion he was. An incident took
place in connection with his early depart
Ure from the feet that is still told with
relish in the ward room when the con-
versation becomes reminiscent of the Gu
ban campaign.
Those who were sent to picture and
describe the scenes and maneuvres con-
nected with the navy Were among the
hardest worked newspaper men in the
standardization war. They had many
difhcultles to overcome that called for Il
great deal OF ingenuity and ENTERPRISE
They would follow the big war ships in
small fraii little boats. with poor accom-
modations, that were tossed in the trough
of the sea like cookie shells and threat
ened to be swamped by every passing
wave A few were accorded the ex
ceptional privilege of a place on board
the principal battleships but even with
that advantage they were as much in the
dark regarding movements outside of the
particular vessel that carried them as the
stokers away down in the hold
remington was among these few.
He looked forward to lively experience
because of the fact that he was assigned
to the ship commanded by Fighting Bob
Evans. The reputation of the commander
held out a promise that the Iowa would
De IN the thickest of the fighting when
the time came. If he had been willing
to wait he would have had all the excite
ment he wished. He made several good
pictures, but soon ran out of subject ma
terial Then he became disguised with
ms limited opportunities and awaited
himself of the first chance to go ashore
and 1oin his old friends in the army,
which was in camp at Tampa, Fla.
ON board of ship supplies were very
scarce, especially in the line of wines and
brandy. | had the foresight to lay in
good supply of rum-to be used in case of
sickness-but demands made on it by
Remington soon used it up. Remington,
you know, suffered greatly from seasick-
ness. The last thing the artist said to me
as he went over the ships side was: I'll
make good that rum when | get to Key
West. thought nothing more of it. A
few days later we had orders to sail for
San Juan, Porto Rico. 1t was reported
that the Spanish feet was in the Gulf of
Mexico and would probably try to make
the harbor at San Juan. We were to
lombard the Notifications and it was ex-
pected this would bring Cervera into ac
tion if he had made that port. There had
also been conflicting reports to the effect
that the destination of the Spaniards was
Havana. and there was always in mind
the possibility that the two great fighting
forces would meet at any hour at almost
any point in the Gulf Therefore it was
not surprising that things were at high
tension on board the American ships.
Every sail. every patch of smoke or little
speck upon the horizon was the subject of
anxious enquiry.
We were sailing along rapidly in fleet
formation, under full steam. when a YES
sci was sighted by one of the lookouts in
the Iowa's forward fighting-top. The
Iowa was the flagship that day and had
the lead. As the strange vessel drew near
It was seen that she was small craft.
and the conclusion was reached at once
that she was a despatch boat. She WIS.,
making full steam and was signaling to
speak the Iowa. This was important. No
doubt here was more news of the where
abouts of the Spanish warships and ev-
erybody became excited and anxious
Then the signal flags were flown. bringing
the entire fleet to a standstill. The
strange ship was soon within hailing dis
tance.
We'll, what is it?' was shouted eager
~ from the Iowa's bridge.
THE answer nearly paralyzed every
man on board. 1t came through truIn-
pet.
West for Surgeon Crandall.
Captain Evans grinned broadly and CT
dered IL brought aboard. The situation
was so Iudicrous that wrath gave way to
laughter Then. too. the keg was well
come parcel just then.
Remington had kept his word and the
signal was given for full steam ahead
again