Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1913-10-30
MIDDIE.S ON CRUISE,

regard to the Massachusetts. It is
entitled the "Ballyhue Massie"
Seasickness, drudgery, wearisome
drills, unrelaxing discipline, food of a
precarious nature, hammocks to
which they were unused and little wa.
ter for bathing were only a few of the
hardships the midshipmen had to en-
dure. Spice was frequently added by
the coaling Of the ship, at which every
one had to help and which lasted from
early morning till we'll on into the
next morning, with only few minutes
off at different times for coffee and
sandwiches. When it was at last fin
ished every vestige Of clothing worn
had to be thrown overheard or given
away.
Port and the liberties that they
might make therein were the only
tAings the midshipmen had to look
forward to, and even the last of these
was longed for the most. Usually,
however, they had a glorious time in
each town, and 1t was with sigh that
the anchor was weighed and the ship
headed toward sea.
The last foreign port touched was
usually Funchal, and then only three
weeks lay before them before they
would reach Annapolis and disembark.
At last the cruise would be over and
they would start on September leave
in rundown condition.
Finally some one high up saw that
the whole system was wrong-that
they were making automatons instead
of officers from midshipmen. A new
scheme was devised. Last summer
it was tried for the first time and
worked so well that they are contin-
uing with it.
Now only one class, the youngsters
(past pIebes), are sent on cruise Of
the old style. This year their cruise
is exceptionally well planned, taking
in Antwerp (Paris), Cadiz, Seville,
Gibraltar and Funchal. There is a
possibility of their touching at Kiel
after leaving Antwerp.
In the meantime the first and sec
ond classes, having passed through
%
various ships of the fleet, where they
serve in the capacity of junior officers.
The general range of knowledge thus
gained is wide, for they become accus-
toned to the real way in which things
are done.
The ships on which they are sta
toned may at any time be sent abroad,
to South America, to Panama or to
Narragansett bay for target practice.
At the present time, while part of
them are in New York, others are in
Newport, some are in Mexican ports
and some at our southern drilling
grounds. Thus, through the three
summer months the midshipmen are
placed in such a position that they
acquire real experience as officers.
They stand watches, serve as aids to
the executives, the navigator, ETC., drill
the men, take command Of a turret
during gun drill and in general learn
to assume responsibility.
In port their duties are somewhat
Iightened and they are allowed a GER
tain amount of liberty. On weekdays,
OF those in New YORK, each may go
ashore every other day, They start
at 400 p. N. and must report their
return to the officer Of the deck by
11:00 p. m, unless it is theater night.
Two nights of the week are theater
nights, and the liberty then continues
till midnight To reach the ship by
twelve it is necessary that one leave
the theater at eleven. In this way
the middies may be nerved up await
ing the climax when some one in the
party nudges the others and whispers,
Time to CO." and the whole thing is
spoiled in a few minutes On Satur-
day and Sunday the liberty runs from
twelve to twelve and every one may
take advantage Of it.
This all sounds wondrously fine, but