The Delta independent., 1906-09-14

In the eight months interval great
events transpired. We were urged by
the officers to take the examination
for seaman. and many OF us passed
with honors. A few of the boys would
not study at all, some developed bad
traits of character and these were dis
charged as undesirable" by our cap
tain
| liked to steer the ship. take sound.
ings. make signals. keep the weather
report and have charge OF the man at
the wheel. So | put my best endeav-
ors forward and studied SO that
might be able when the time came to
hold quartermaster's position. At
Bremerton. Washington. one of our
quartermaster's was paid of. SO | was
examined for and given an acting ap-
pointment as a third-class quarternas-
ter. and received $50 month.
Six of we boys decided to remain on
the old Mohican. and We stayed: were
all put in petty officers positions OF
trust inside OF ten months after COM
ing on the ship. This was the third
epoch of my seafaring career, and the
fourth came after | had served as
quartermaster third-class one year.
when received an appointment as
ludI ltI
Shortly after this l was placed In
the position OF the chief quartermas-.
ter, who received an honorable dis
charge. and which position held until
the ship sailed for the Philippines.
After serving six months more l vas
given an appointment as first-class
qua:termaster and sent to the Naval
School OF Gunnery at Washington, d.
c.. and Newport, Rhode Island.
Help from Officers.
Eternal vigilance is the price Of
success" and coupled with this was
the Kindness and consideration OF my
superior officers. one Of whom was
Lieutenant Matt H. Signor, now at the
Omaha recruiting station, with whom
| was personally associated in the line
OF duty for two years. II was he who
pushed my application through for the
Sunncry school.
On the way to Washington I was
given twenty days in which to report.
but could spend only two at home.
Less than three years in the service
ana homcward bound. ''Hurrah for
Omaha again"
My friend. Bressman. another
Omaha boy. was sent to the gunnery
school through Mr. SignOrs influence.
Comrades when manhood was dawn
ing. We were faithful to our duty and
each other. In the school we studied
and experimental on electricity in all
its physics. torpedoes. submarine
mines. explosives. stream diving. the
manufacture OF smokcless powder.
EunCotton. illuminate OF mercury and
other high explosives: also the manu-,
faCture of large and small guns. sights.
targets and submerged torpedo dis
charge tubes. We did practical cop
pcrsmith and forge work. learned TO
work on lathes. shapers. drills and
milling machines. as We made small
guns. mounts and tools for same. We
studied every type OF gun and mount,
turret and construction of which is
used in the service: spent n week at
the Indian Head proving ground. firing
at and testing armour plate. shells and
powder. obtaining velocitics. etc.
While at the school | received the
appointment as chief Quartermast"r
and was paid OF at the end OF my
four years with sum OF money Dor.
dering on the 81 900 mark.
Discharge and Re-EnIistment.
On receiving my honorable dis,
charge | was furnished a first class
ticket to my home. also dining car
meal tickets Uncle Sammy takes
good care Of his boys and they know I,
Rather than wait four months at
home. then rc-enlist and get my four
months pay. decided to rc-cnlist tn"
next day. get my money and take
thirtv-day furlough
| had just the very best time At
home. then came to Boston. MasSa-
Chuscis. where | Joined the L. 5 :
Illinois. in the same rating as chief
Quarrcrmas,er ana took immc dat"
charge OF all signal equipment. flags.
bridges. stores. coming tower. steam
steering engine. etc.
While on board have endeavoreA
to win the confidence Of officers and
crew by steady attention to duties and
have been treated with the crCates
respect and consideration both aft"
and forward"
Now. boys. the United States naval
service is not what people paint it in
their vivid imaginat ions but II is jus
wha, you yourselves make it. Re sober.
quick and attentive to duties ami youl
future will be assured
T am sure that had I devoted my
time to working for a private corpora
tion | would not have received the
salary | now command. even had
stayed there ten years.
This. you see. is the thought which
comes to my mind: Can YOU do rs
well in private firms as YOU can do in
the United States navy" Can YOU
study and rise as Your own abilities
advance" Think this over. Then de
eide.
Another thing to be thought Of is:
where will YOU get such an oppor
tunity to see the world" Boys. hCstir