Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-09

on the job. who wcro ready to advise
inspect. and issue commands II need
be. Standing behind them were OFF,
GERS OF higher rank. including naval
constructors. who received their gem
eral instructions from Washington and
saw that they were enforced.
Tact and diplomacy We're prime re-
Qussitcs. Tho merchant skipper who
had been an autocrat on his own bridge
was apt to resent any interference
these navy gunners would clash with
him. and he proposed to show them
who WAS boss. There were owners who
objected to the extra outlay OF fitting
out the ships and who tlinched from
tho idea OF feeding a dozen husky navy
mon. Here and there was one who
cared very little about carrying an
armed guard. so long as his ship and
cargo were we'll insured. On tho other
hand. most owners and agents made
the task easier by showing n spirit OF
cordial cooperation and an anxiety to
take the best of care OF the gunncrs.
In fairness 10 both sides, it may be
interesting 10 quote from the records
two contrasting instances of how mat
tcrs Jared on Shpboard.
1T is with great pleasure that I
mention the captain and his officers az
most courteous men who assisted and
worked with me in every respect.
have tho captain to thank for many
kindneS5es rendered the armed guard.
AS an example, he allowed my men the
privilege Of the ships slop chest with
out cost. Each man was given boots
gloves, WOODEN underclothing. and
socks. also oil,kins. as it was uuex-
pcctedly' cold for the season of the
year when We got into northern latI-
tudes."
Here is the reverse picture to indi-
cate that this particular navy job is
n and IL LOG ,f,;o
ter-at-armS commanded the armed
guard across the Atlantic in small
tanker. and he reported as follows:
AN insufficient supply of provisions
was carried. which, on the outward
trip. resulted in no fresh meat after
French pert We had no breakfast or
dinner. Coming home the fresh PRO
visions were gone after three days at
sea. and we had TO cat tho emergency
rations in the lifeboats. On the day
We reached port there was nothing left
III the ship except tea.
ON both outward and return voy-
ages. the lights from ports and doors
were continually exposed while pass
ing through the danger zone. ! pro-
tested to the captain. but no steps were
taken to stop il. While nearing the
English coast the Morse lights and
whistle were used. in spite of my pro-
tests, and the captain also refused to
zigzag. I told him to follow his in
structionS, but he replied that she shin
was slow and much time would be lost
by zisZagging.
During an encounter with an enemy
submarine either the captain or the
hrSt officer gave the signal to abandon
snip about ten seconds after the enemy
was sighted. The f,remcn came or
deck, the engines were stopped, and
there was rush 10 the boats Th.
captain ordered the engineers below
and requested that send one of my
men to see the order obeyed A petty
oihcer' armed with a pistol saw the
order obeyed
The chief engineer was ordered by
the captain to go below and get the
snip underway. lie did not obey this
order. and I therefore covered hin,
with my pistol and threa tened to shoot
him If he did not Immediately ye, tho
ship underway. lie obeyed MY order.
The conduct Of the chief engineer was
In disobedience OF orders i'll tho pres
ence OF the enemy. and it was only
after my threatening to kill him that
lie obcyed the captain.
The second and third officers were
apparently afraid to order eNDosed
lights eNtinguishcd. They showed an
absolute lack OF comprehension of their
duty In this respect and never made the
slightest effort to cooperate with the
armed guard. The first officer. how
ever. was OF great assistance, and was
the only one who helped at all"
AS sequel Of this unhappy tale
there is on file a note sent ashore from
an anchorage in an Atlantic barbor
just after this steamer reached port: