Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-08-12
PETS OF SAILORS.

PETS OF SAILORS.
Various Animals That Have Been Mas.
| cots on Warships.
| Love Of domestic animals is one Of
the American seaman's" cardinal vir-
tues. 1t makes up for and overcomes
his vices In large degree. United
States naval officers have discovered
the soft spot in jackey's heart, and
there is scarcely a vessel in the navy
which does not carry dog, or goat
or a parrot.
Nothing makes more for the happi-
ness and contentment of a ships crew
than pets. The loneliness of long voy-
ages is broken by hours Of play with
some animals. Men who have no
taste for reading or study must have
something to do, and there's nothing
they enjoy as much as training ami
mails.
AS warships go out Of commission
crews and officers scatter, and pets
are transferred from ship to ship un-
til many Of them are known to half
the officers and seamen in the navy.
Major Billy, the famous goat which
served for thirteen years under the
Stars and Stripes, was probably better
known than any other mascot that ever
had a place in the navy. He died on
the New York at the time Of the Span
ish war, and was universally mourned.
Before the opening Of the war he was
on the Baltimore, which went out Of
commission at San Francisco. Two
apprentices were intrusted with the care
Of Major Billy. and carried him under
orders to Norfolk, where he was trans
ferred to the New York.
When the small boat carrying the
apprentices and the goat approached
the New York all the crew shouted
welcome. Rear Admiral Schley, who
enjoyed friendship with Billy on the
Galena, shook the old fellows horn as
he was brought on the boat.
The apprentices carried a great bum
die Of papers showing Billys naval
record. He had sailed around the
world several times, and, like most
seamen, had been disciplined fre-
quently. He had engaged in many
fights, but always came out victorious.
Several years ago the Dolphin car
ried goat which had grudge against
the cook. When the men would get
out on the deck in the morning for
their daily exercise the goat would hide
behind the wardroom superstructure
and butt the cook every time he ran
past.
Dogs are the favorite pets Of seamen,
and many Of them are now serving on
the United States warships. Bum, the
famous dog deserter, Is probably the
best known of the dog. mascots. He
was enlisted at Vallejo, CAL, and his
record Is carefully treasured at the
navy department.
His life history, as written in his rec
ord, is unique. Dogville is given as
the place Of his birth. His birthday Is
marked "B. c." and his profession Is
hobo" His eyes were dog and his
hair was straight and black" His
weight is given as ninety pounds.
BUNS career was checkered. Clip
ping and scrubbing were some OF the
punishments inflicted. He was also
applauded many times, according to
his record at the department, and dis
tinguished himself by interfering with
bull fight at La Guaira, and by whip
ping the Indians bulldog.
France was too much for Bum. He
went wrong at Villafranche. failed to
return to the ship. was chalked up on
on the records as a deserter. He dis
appeared more than Y r ago and
nothing has ever been heard Of him
| since.
Roger, the bull terrier mascot on the
| Massachusetts,, who was drowned last
year, was a great favorite with sea-
men. He served for several years and
finally had an accident which cost him
one Of his legs. His disability made
him even more beloved by the crew.
| One day the old fellow was chasing
rat which jumped into the water.
Forgetting his disability, the dog leap
ed after the rat. A strong tide caught
him and he could not swim strongly
enough to keep himself up until help
arrived.
The Alabama now has a donkey for
mascot. A house has been built for
the pet, and 1t associates with the men
with. all the freedom Of a smaller pet.
The navy has one famous cat which
has served on a dozen different war
ships. 1t is a favorite prank Of the
seamen to steal this cat, and she has
frequently changed station between
days.
When Captain Lyon was In command
Of the Dolphin he had dachshund
called Daddy Long Legs" which came
to be we'll known.
| The Olympia had a famous Boston
terrier called Steve Gridley in honor
of the late Captain Gridley. Steve was
Captain Gridley's nickname at the ma
val academy. Steve Gridley was an
aristocratic dog. He hated civilians.
man coming on board who did not
wear a uniform felt the dogs resent
ment of his presence.
| Parrots, crows, monkeys, rabbits ana
most all sorts Of birds and small AMI
mails have been taken aboard Ameri-
can warships as pets. vessel sell
dom stops in a foreign port that IT
does not acquire some sort OF mascot.
| Tho famous DarrOt on the WinSlOW,