Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-02-12
QUEER BREACH OF DISCIPLINE.
Am Onacer of the American Navy Was Punished for Saving q
 Drowning Sailor.

The discipline of the American navy has always been exceedingly strict, but perhaps the laws that govern those on shipboard were never more vigorously enforced than in the case ot Capt. Joshua Sands, one of the characters of the old navy, who was somewhat noted for doing things that would bring down upon him the wrath of his com- handing officers. He was put upon the retired list for age only about a year after the civil war. began. hence he saw active service in the early part of it, says the Chicago Chronicle.
 The incident referred to took place on board of the old Franklin, bearing the. flag of Commodore Charles Stew art, who was prominently mention sd as candidate for the presidency in 1851, but as he gave the suggestion no active encouragement he was not put in nomination at the convention. Sands, a lieutenant at the time, had committed a breach of discipline that Stewart would not tolerate, hence he was suspended from duty. Under sus- pension from duty an officer is not permitted to go about on the quarter deck or to mingle with others without permission. One day, while he was under suspension, the ship encoun- tered terrific gale and while laboring in the heavy sea there went up cry, Man overboard!" One of the boats was ordered to the rescue and as it was being lowered Sands, regardless nf into 1t through one of the main deck ports and in few minutes the man was rescued, mainly through the ef- forts and aid given by Sands. But when he returned to the ship the com- modore sent for young Sands to come into his cabin, when the commodore spoke piece to him and ordered him under arrest for leaving the ship without permission!" It was lucky for Lieut.. Sands that he did not commit another offense while serving under Commodore Stewart, else he would have run the risk of being court-mar- tialed and of receiving more severe punishment.
 Another instance in which Sands fig- ured was in 1346, in the Mexican war, where he commanded the flagship of Commodore Conner off Vera Cruz. Great preparations had been made to capture the well-fortified town of AL yarado, the fleet being divided into two squadrons and sailing up to a commanding position in front of the town in great pomp and buster But just as the ships were about to- open fire Commodore Conner ordered sig nals to be hoisted to stop further movements and the fleet returned to it's anchorage off Vera. Cruz. A few days later second attempt was made to capture the place, but the plan was laid down on a grander scale than the first one, the scheme being to dash across the bar and to storm the forts protecting the town. Sands was placed in command of the first division and as his leading vessel crossed the bar and was almost under fire of the enemy Commodore Conner discovered that the other division was halted by reason of some of the vessels going aground. Turning to Capt. Sands he said in semidiscouraged tone: Well, now what shall we do?" Sands re- piled: Go ahead and fight like h." But the commodore didn't take the ad- vice and the fleet again returned to Vera Cruz, where Conner soon after relinquished the command to another officer, under whom Alvarado was suh- seuuently taken.