Evening star., 1902-09-02
THE RESERVES RETURN
INSTRUCTIVE CRUISE ABOARD
THE FERN.
Launch With Lieutenant Commander
Aboard Meets With Heavy Seas
Thrilling Experience.

Alter al Interesting anu Instructive Trip
lasting three days, on board the U. S. S.
Fern, the Naval Battalion of the District
arrived in port this morning and moored
ship off the foot of Tth street al O'Clock.
The Fern left Washington Saturday night
at o'clock, and the commanding officer,
Lieut.. R. B. Brummett, was instructed by
Lieut. Commander S. G. Hopkins to proceed
as far as White House landing and come to
anchor. The idea was that Capt. Hopkins
would meet the Fern, three hours later, in
his launch, but owing to the tide the Fern
was unable to come to suitable anchorage
until she reached point in the vicinity of
Quantico. This necessitated extra run
on the part of those in the launch of nearly
twenty miles.
After taking the crew of the launch on
board the Fern steamed down river to an
anchorage off Blackistone's Island, where
she lay Sunday night.
At o'clock Lieut. Commander Hopkins,
with Mr.. Charles G. Almy of this city, Cum
ner's Mate John Patterson, Gunner's Mate
William Ward Engineers Yeoman Frazier,
Oiler Jos. Low and Coal Passer Jackson,
left the ship in the launch for run to
Colonial Beach to dispatch some kilograms.
While ashore a severe blow came on and
their return passage, covering a distance of
seven miles, was marked, SO 1t is said, by
series of interesting as well as hazardous
adventures. When four miles off shore with
very high seas running the injector refused
to work, causing lack of water in the
boiler. Although Engineers Yeoman Fra
zier worked most actively for at least an
hour, the injector stubbornly declined to
respond to his efforts. All the water In the
boiler having been consumed Capt. Hop
kns promptly ordered fires half drawn and
the remainder heavily banked. Meanwhile
the launch was laboring heavily and ship
ping seas at every lurch; much so, in
fact, that Gunner's Mate Ward reported
the smokestack to be listing.
The situation became more serious than
ever, but it speedily met. The stern
painter was Immediately cut, and the COM
manding officer and Ward left their posi-
made their way to the stack, where, after
infinite difficulty, they rugged guys on
either side, made fast to the hull. Soon
afterward a heavy sea broke through the
strong canvas weather clothes forward
and filled the fire room with water, nearly
putting out the banked fires. The pump
was quickly manned, however, and the
water sent overheard.
An examination of the fresh water tanks
showed them about half full and in order
to coax suction on the part of the injector
Capt Hopkins ordered them filled with salt
water, which DONE and with the skill
of Yeoman Frazier enabled that small but
important piece of machinery to feebly per-
form it's functions. AS the launch gave
lurch to starboard, almost to the point of
capsizing Frazier tested his glass.
Water" he exclaimed. Spread fires
came with decision from the commanding
officer, and with four inches of water
showing the launch slowly headed up to
the sea. and soon cutting through
them. for the Ferns anchor lights were
now some six miles distant and invisible.