Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-01-21

town of Oskaloosa, Ia. The exact
date was November %, 1855. His faith
er on this account used to call him my
little man Friday"
When he was little chap of seven
his father died. At fourteen he was
appointed to Annapolis, and in due
course was escorted thitaer by an
older brother, who when called upon
to put the youngsters name down on
the roster of boys entering the Naval
academy. wrote Frank Friday Fetch
err"
This did not particularly please
the family, because Friday was not
really a part of his name. But natural
ly under the circumstances it stuck.
He was called Friday all through the
five years he spent at the academy
he dropped back one class, being rath-
er young to keep up-and ever since
that time his fellow officers in the serv-
ice have known him as Friday Fetch
er and nothing else.
Young Fletcher was graduated from
Annapolis on June 81, 1875, and soon
afterward was assigned to duty on
board the United States steamer Tus-
carora, which was engaged in survey
ing a submarine route for a projected
cable to connect California with Japan.
This, by the way, was very interest
ing job.
1t involved an exploration of the
ocean depths, almost the first ever
made, and specimens of the materials
composing tho sea floor were brought
up from the bottom all the way across
the Pacific. Just east of Japan the
Tuscarora discovered the deepest hole
that exists anywhere in the world, a
marine abyss, known to this day as
the Tuscarora Deep. the soundings
failing to touch bottom at five and a
quarter miles below the waves.
Although accident first directed
young Fletcher's attention to scientific
matters, incidentally to his profession
al duties, he soon showed a special
aptitude for such pursuits. He has an
investigative turn of mind, and if he
had not happened to become a naval
officer it is altogether likely that he
would have been an inventor.
Indeed, some of the most valuable
mechanical contrivances used in the
navy, especially IN connection with
guns, were originated by him. Among
these are improvements in telescope
sights; he wellknown Fletcher
breech closing mechanism, and fric-
tionless gun mount for quick fire rifles.
Another very remarkable cruise. in
1S79-1SS1, took the young officer to
Korea, on the steam sloop Ticondero-
ga. then a formidable warship. Com
manded by Commodore r. W. Shu-
feldt, she was sent around the world
in obedience to a special order of con-
gress. and in behalf of the department
of state. to make what was called a
commercial and diplomatic cruise.
The most important object of the ex-
petition was to open negotiations
with the government of Korea for a
treaty which would insure the protec-
ton of the lives and property of Amer
leans.
It was also desired to open Korea
to American commerce, and Japan,
being at that time on very cordial
terms with the United States, had sig
nified her willingness to lend assist
ance toward this end. But when the
Ticonderoga entered the harbor OF
Fusan, May Il, 1880, the officials re
fused to accept the letter handed to
them by Commodore Shufeldt, on the
ground that it was addressed to the
king of Korea, whereas their monarch
was properly designated as the king OF
ro-Sen-which, being translated
means Land of the Morning Calm.
Accordingly. the American vessel was
Obliged to withdraw. with nothing &C
scomplished. her departure being sig.