The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1901-08-03
How a warshlp Strips for Conflict.


Wis. -
How a Warshtp Strips for Conflict.
The enormous amount Of work in
volYed when the order "Clear for ac-
ton" is bugled to the crew on a man
o'-war is uncomfortable to the lay mind
and puzzling to those who boast Of a
smattering of naval knowledge. In the
good old days. as we hear them
spoken Of now, a fighting ship entered
upon an engagement in much the same
rig as always carried, but our vessels
of today are far too aristocratic to in
dulge in any dirty work when attired
in their Sunday best" Perhaps the
smile we draw is just little too far
fetched, but nevertheless it is true that
the more handsome equipped a ship is.
just so much additional time has to be
spent in denuding her of borrowed
plumes when the time arrives for 'see-
ing it through" as Jack is SO fond Of
explaining would be the case with his
particular ship if she once got into ac-
ton. OF all naval drills none are more
fatiguing or demand more attention
than Clear for action entails. But,
even then, drills are light compared
with what would actually happen if
the men were preparing for an engage
ment in actuality. The initial step for
clearing a ship is the calling to quar-
ters of all the men. Every individual
has his appoin ted post. and in the case
of a first-class cruiser or battleship
which carries. a crew of between 700
and 500 officers and men it might
easily be imagined that the hustle
caused by their running to their posts
at moments call is not inconsider-
able. Positions having been taken UP,
the significant order of preparation
for battle is given, and what follows
can only be compared to house-clean--,
ing in most unusual and extravagant
manner. The top of the deck under
goes complete change. Rails, davits
are taken down and stored out of
sight, and the numerous boats and
steam pinnaces which are carried at
all times are cut adrift, to be picked
up and taken in tow later on by one
OF the third-c1ass cruisersvthat is, pre-
Stunning that fleet is preparing for
: action. In any case the boats would
be cast off, as it would be dangerous
to keep them at the davits, for fear of
their being splintered or set on fire
by the enemy's shells. simultaneously
with the clearing of the top deck, men
are actively engaged on the lower,
decks, shutting water-tight doors, pre-
pairing the torpedo-nets and placing
the collision mat in a handy position
in case Of emergency. Communications
with the top quarter decks are usually,
with but one exception, cut off; and
from the moment the ship goes into
action every order and movement is
given and conducted from the coming
tower, about which we shall have more
| to say. Other sections of men get ready
| the ammunition hoists, and it is with
! many sigh that officers watch their
| furniture depart overheard, but wheth-
er to be recovered again depends pre-
cisely upon the length Of time at dis
| posal before the first gun is fired. With
something like half a days notice nc
! doubt a great deal Of the furniture and
/ effects. especially that found in the
ward room. gun and smoking rooms
would be transferred to the ships
boats before being cut adrift, but
i when only minutes or few hours in
tervene between the outbreak Of hos
1 tilities there are no scruples, and the
i whole lot is cast overheard for feal
of a shot reaching any Of it and set.
!. ting fire tosthe ironclad. Every gum or
the ship is at once manned and made
4 ready, and below water line Oil lamps
are lit, as it would not be safe tt
rely upon the electric light In case OF {
q stray shot cutting through the circui
!. wires or finding its way into one 8
. the many dynamos. Boys Own Paper