The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1902-05-16
ETORlES or SAMPSON.
Acts That Were Characteristic
of che Naval Commander.
GREAT LOVER OF BOAT RACING

uow the Rccr AdmIrnI's Delight In
II Brought n Prisoner Good Luck.
The only Time He Ever swore-His
Fondnesn For n Joke.
Only once in bis naval career was the
hate Rear Admiral William r. Sampson
heard TO use an oath, and then the ex.
pletive was called forth 10y an exces>
of the emulation he had himself In.
spired among his command, which was
occasioning temporary disregard OF
orders, says Leslie's Weekly. From the
nrst the captain had encouraged boat
racing, and the record made by both
the barge and the gig Of the Frisco
was exceptionally fne. Two OF the
men who composed the crews winch
won the prizes at the international re-
eatta held az Norfolk in 1893 now lie
buried bCLeatb lie wreck of the Maine.
One of the numerous trial races which
the captain encouraged was in process
of Mare island between the captains
gig and boat belonging TO the United
States steamer Alert, when orders were
received q hrinC t.e ST. Francisco
Into dock for clea.IIg. The tide was
strong. and IL was only by hard pulling
against II that the operation OF bring
ing the vessel in could be accomplished
In vain the captain reiterated the or
ders TO pull in. There was no time
10 be lost, but excitement over the race
was at high pitch. and all hands were
leaning over the ships rail watching
and cheering on the battle OF oars. The
imperturbable captains patience was
at length exhausted. "D-n IT," he ex-
claimed, "the ship is athwart the tide,
and l cannot get a man to pull or an
officer to give an orderW Just then a
shout was borne to his ears. The
Alert's boat Is ahead"
'Whatr exclaimed Sampson, his own
deep interest In the race breaking
through his irritation at the prevalent
lack of discipline. Il don't believe i'll!
And when the Joyous applause on
board told that the San Francisco
again held the palm Of victory the cap
tain turned to his first lieutenant,
proud and exultant saying: Il told
you sol | knew our men would win!'
Another incident which evidenced
his interest in these trials Of speed oc.
Cured while the San Francisco was
stationed at Coquimbo. Chile. The
Fourth of July had been celebrated by
regatta. and the crew OF Captain
SIMPSONS gig had beaten the English
boatmen of her majestys ships Mel
pomene and Liffey. A few weeks aft
er the Garnet, another English vessel
arrived, and II was determined tc
take the American down" a little
The Garnet carried boat OF superior
equipment. built in Malta for racing
purposes, which had never been beat
en-. But as II 10 make the victory
more certain the crew practiced daily
and the challenge TO the San Francisco
was not extended until the very morn
Xing before the English vessel was tC
sail. thus leaving no time for practice
to the intended antagonists.
But the challenge was accepted. will
the stipulation that the race was Il
extend as far as Pelicauos island
around IL and back again TO shore,
distance OF four miles, After som'
hesitation the English boats crew
agreed. On the afternoon Of the da!
of challenge Captain Sampson wa
seated in his cabin when his cockswaiI
entered.
Captain" he began. with deep ear
nestness, do you want us to win thi
racer
why, certainly" responded Samp
son.
"well. captain. one Of my men is IN
der arrest. | have spoken TO the frs
lieutenant. and he says he can't be re
leased"
THAT being the case-the man pris
oner-l don't see what | can do 70
you" returned the captain gravely.
"But can't do without him." plead
ed the cockswain. with an insistenc
rarely shown to a naval commander
4 "If you don't let that man 60, captain
the Englishmen will beat us"
Sampson turned suddenly and touch
his bell, and as his orderly entered b
said briefly. Tell Lieutenant -- tina
l release the prisoner until this race j
won" And the race was won. the Eng
lsh racer being left far behind, evel
er Baltimore signaed her appreciation
by firing her Gatling.
"Rear Adm!ra! Sampson was general
ly credited with being a rather auster
man." said naval officer 10 reporte
of the New York Tribune. but ther
is story about him which proves hi
fondness for making joke This stor
says that the rear admiral when
young man once entered barroom o
little hotel where, unknown to hin
group Of roisterers were about ,
start a cockhght As he entered an
was recognized one Of the group crie'
out inockingly:
"'Now we are all right. The polio
won't dare to raid US now for we hay
4 a1aW