Putnam patriot., 1913-01-10
From Woodstock Academy Cleaner
An Interesting Letter
ONCE Of Inspector Of Machinery, L. :.
Navy, New York Ship Building

i 70 some rev o. Aht bieett@f ANe'1-s %
though it is bound 10 be more or less per-
sonul In It's character.
Itisa common saying that the lifeoi a
| Naval Officer is "either feast or fam
| ine,n and must say thar have found
this 10 be pretty true. A year ago this
month ! was working from daylight till
dsrk,--and then some making only two
shore liberties in as many months, while
at present am ashore sli the time and
keeping very easy hours.
The Perkins left the New York Navy
Yard about the middle Of last July, and
Joined the Atlantic Torpedo Fleet In Gar
dener's Bay for msnoeUvers of Block Is
land in conjunction with the Atlantic
Battiesbip Fleet. These maDoeuvers
lasted week, the torpedo boats, assisted
BY the vessels Of the Naval Reserves, act
| ing AZ a defense OF Newport and Block
Island, while the battleships simulated an
attack Of foreign feet in an attempt TO
stsbiish base on the mainland. The
bsttIesbips, having the advantage OF
making the attack at any time they chose,
disappeared completely for three days.
and tried to wear cot the defense by fore
ing them to keep up continuous day
and night patrol, and / must confess that
II was pretty tired bunch Of officers and
men that finally sighted the "eDenyo at
30 ~ no
fourth day They were discovered, bow
ever by the outer line OF the patrol, and
their movements accurately reported by
wireless to the Reserve Fleet, which
steamed out TO meet them just of Block
Island and the decision was In favor Of
the defense. After day or two at New
port for repairs the Torpedo Fleet went
TO Progincetown, Mass, where we spent
the next six weeks in preparing for tor
pedo practice during the day, and en-.
liyening the nights by making attacks on
the Battlesbip Fleet both at anchor and
underway.
The early part OF September We spent
at GARDENERS Bay, again, holding torpedo
practice, and as his consisted OF night
firing, entirely, and as 1t was necessary
tor the officers Of one ship te umpire for
OF her ships on the range, 1t was the old
story OF tno rest Tor the weary" After
this we went to Hampton Roads, and
after a week Of preparation held our gun
practice-elso by night, but il was all
over In three nights, and then we made
full power steaming competition run to
New York. This was indeed a pretty
sight as 1t was practically scratch race
between sixteen ldestroyers, and ! will
leave it to the reader to Judge whether or
not we were anxious to get to New York,
when | say that We left Hampton Roads
at eight In the morning and tied up at
the Brooklyn Navy Yard that same even
ing. After a month OF repair work we
all went out into the North River for the
Naval Review, and at that time | was
transferred to the U. 8. s. Mississippi
| was on the Mississippi, however, for
little over a month, only, during which
time we manoeuvered with the Fleet be-
tween Hampton Roads and Newport, tor
when she went to the Philadelphia Navy
Yard for her repair period, l wen to the
Naval Hospital with typhoid fever. While
there, however, | had good opportunity
TO observe the efficiency OF our hospitals
where they have women nurses on duty.
Any man, think, no matter how much
OF "womsn Halter" he may be while in
good health will agree with me in saying
that the swish OF a skirt In sick room
will do him more good than all the
"dope" doctor can force down his un-
willing throat. a hospital apprentice
may be good man and know his duties
thoroughly, but it is impossible for him
TO I'LL tho place hat woman is Intended
To hii in time OF sickness. II was not
until the middle Of February that / was
able to leave the hospital and then was
given two months sick leave. ] gave up
the last hali OF this. however, in order TO
go TO the Navai Academy as assistant
coach OF the eres, this line Of work be-
ing just what leeded while regaiuiug
my streng h " had very successful
season but we're greatly disappointed in
not being able TO enter the crew for the
Pouehkeepsie Regatta, as We had hoped |
10. On being detached from the Naval |
Academy had expected to go to sea
again but was ordered here to the works
of the New York shipbuilding Company, |
for inspection duty on the L. 5. 5 Jarvis !
IA torpedo boat destroyer OF 700 tons, |
very similar TO the Perkins-and to duty |
on board when she goes into commission,
which will probably not be before the |
middle OF October. The development OF |
a ship under construction is truly as
wonderful as the growth of a delicate
flower; the designing of the hundreds OF
thousands Of detailed parts in the draft
ing room on paper their separate con-
struetion in the pattern shops and mould
ing rooms; their preliminary fitting and
testing in the erecting lofts; aud hoally
their Welding and riveting Into the al
most living body OF the ship itseii, each
part lifting In exactly with every other
part. to the thonsandth part OF sn inch
all this is one of the most interesting
studies with which have ever come iato
contact, and think that the finished
product, as exemplihed in the Arkansas
which is nearing completion here, is one
OF the greatest achievements OF the mod
ern age, and | can say this with all can
dor as | have had no more to do with her
construction than you have.
l am looking forward to the issue OF
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