Navy Journal of Frank J. Brennan — 1901-1905

Enlisted at St. Louis Mo Feb 4 1901. Discharged Mar 29 1905.

Approximate distance traveled since enlisted in the United States Navy is 77853 miles.

1901

(79)
Enlisted in the Navy Feb. 4 1901 and arrived on Yerba Buena Island Feb. 12 which is a receiving station, and left here a day after, and went to the training ship Mohican, which was then laying in Frisco bay, we left Frisco, March 4, for San Diego, Cal, and now we are off for a 6 (???) month training cruise, it was the first time any of us rookies went to sea, and consequently we all got sea-sick and it wasn’t very pleasant, were ever (sic) you would go you would see the boys feeding the fishes, we were preety (sic) hard up, we got very little, I mean all you could eat, but you couldn’t eat it, and the rest of the hardships thrown in made us wish we had never joined the navy, we ailed all the way to San Diego, and arrived there ten days after we left Frisco and a good number deserted.

(80) while we were there. We coaled ship in San Diego and left there Mar 23 for Magdalena Bay, we arrived in Magdalena Bay on the 28th of March, we were drilled pretty well there and had our first target practice, Magdalena Bay is a small place and the people there are Mexicans and only a few at that and a few huts, a store and a saloon is all that’s there, we left Magdalena Bay Apr. 13 (???) for San Diego Cal, but run out of coal when we were about 100 miles from there, and owing to a head wind we had to go to Mataztlan Mex, and coal it was the first time we were in a regular Mexican port and we made the most of it, there was no shore liberty given, and therefore we couldn’t see what the town was like, but the bum boats came alongside with fruit and knickknacks of all kinds, and

(81) cigars galore (sic), the dagooes thought we were awful smokers, but one thing they didn’t have, and what we wanted was good smoking tobacco, we never had any and therefore was compelled to smoke their cigareets (sic) which is fierce, we left there after coaling on the 31st of Apr. and arrived in San Diego, I had quite a nice time here, me and my friend, Reed, got bikes and rode all over the town, it’s a pretty nice town and that is the reason we broke our liberty and the skipper restricted us for 2 weeks on account of it, and we also had a fine time at Coronato (sic) Beach, which is a popular summer resort.

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1902

(50)
Arrived in Panama Sept 30 1902, after 13 day trip from Frisco, we never made a stop on the way down, the distance from Panama to Frisco is 3340. When we came down here we expected to go ashore and have some fighting we all got ready for it but the order never came, and we have never been ashore so far, but the marines off the gunboat Ranger and some of the blue-jackets did patrol duty , they never had any real fighting though occasionally a marine would be forced to use his rifle over the head of a native but that’s all. The gunboat left here Oct. 26 for Frisco, and the crew were all glad to leave, there is nothing but rain and when it ain’t raining the sun is out in all its glory and it generally reaches to 98 and upwards

(51) and that’s what makes this place unhealthy. At the present time they ain’t doing much fighting, but we expect to see them do a little fighting before long as the long looked for gunboat belonging to the Government has arrived from the States she was fitted out in the States, and is manned most of the time by ex naval blue-jackets and when she runs into the rebels gun-boats I think they will be something doing. Here is a little piece from Edison’s Encyclopedia telling about the Panama Canal.
The canal was in course of construction across the Isthmus between Panama and Colon. Total length 47 miles, average depth 28 feet, minimum width, 72 feet. More than 20,000 lives have been sacrificed,

(52) and nearly $200,000,000 spent already in the building of one of the most gigantic engineering enterprises ever before undertaken in the world in the last 8 years by M. de Lesseps [?] and yet not more than 1/3 of the canal has been completed.
One of the curious results of the work on the Panama Canal is the change in the climate of Panama and Acapulco. The tall trees on the heights of Calebra formerly shut of [sic] the wind from the Panama side of the Isthmus. Now these trees are all cut down, and 60 feet of the mountaintops have been sliced off. Hence the north coast trade winds of the Atlantic sweep across through this cut, and do much to mitigate the heat of the sierra. With the canal cut down to the original

(53) Panama might become a fairly healthy place [?].
Oct. 20. Caught a shark and cut him open found bones and rubbish in him, measured 8 ft 8 in.

Nov. 7. Bogota went out for tarket [sic] practice. I thought they were bombarding the settlement on one of the islands but they were only having tarket practice.

Dead Man’s Island
From what I hear, every ship that comes down here always bury a few of their crew, but we haven’t so far, and I don’t think we will, because we are taking pretty good care of ourselves.

Nov. 8. Went ashore in the market and seen some of the Government soldiers and I must say they are a poor type. I seen a

(54) few that were no more than 11 years old carrying a rifle as big as himself, and from what I seen of them, its like they don’t get enough to eat, and half of them have no uniform. I was speaking to German that lives here and he says they get 1 peso a day, and out of this they have to feed themselves, and buy their own clothes and give 5 peso’s [sic] a month to their women, they are allowed to have a woman go along with them, that is if they feed them, the women does their cooking and cleaning up for them. I also seen the presidente [sic] bodyguard but they looked pretty good. They have also a lady for a general from what I hear, but I have never seen her.

Nov. 8. The Bogota went out

(55) to look for the enemy. There is all so a lot of natives being laid away on account of yellow fever, and a marine gets it once in a while.

Nov. 13. The Bogota returned today and she did a little fighting. I was speaking to one of the crew, and he told they lost one man three wounded, but they don’t know how many of the enemy they killed. The Bogota’s crew tried to land but were driven back by the enemy in the trenches but they set fire to one of the enemy’s sloops and sunk her and also captured another one with valuable (???frakers???). I was laying alongside of the one they captured, its name is Heleita (???), they also bombarded the ____. The Bogota expects to leave again

(56) for another fight.
Nov. 19. Coal ships and it lasted till the 21st, we have a deck load on of 135 tons, and all together we took on 835 tons and so had 500 ton in the bunkers before we took on the last, we have altogether 1435 tons more coal than this ship carried since she been in commission.

Nov. 22. Peace declared between the government and the rebels. The guns were firing and the whistles blowing when we turned out of our hammocks. We are going to leave here today.

Nov. 23 At sea, met the Chequito with a captured sloop in tow, the Chequito hove too and their captain told us that the Bogota had the Paddilla in a bottle and was waiting for her to come out, then our captain told the

(57) captain of the Chequito that peace had been declared and he was overjoyed to hear. It he was to happy to speak, instead he waived his hat three times and said thank God, and then they got underway, she also had about 6 prisoners in the sloop. The captain of the Chequito is an ex naval gunner.

Nov. 25. Hit the Gulf of Tehuantepec at 1.30 PM, but it was smooth until about 9 PM and then she certenly (sic) raised kain (sic), we we (sic) shipping heavy seas until 1 o'clock the next day had to close all gun ports and take in the lower booms.

Nov. 26. Thanksgiving nothing doing, we had it pretty rough until about 1.30 PM. Today.

Dec. 5. Arrived in Frisco after a 13-day run from Panama, and

(58)we feel the cold after coming from such a warm climate, the cruiser New York is laying here having been detached from the Asiatic Squadron.
Admiral Casey transferred his flag from this ship to the New York, and the New York is now the flagship. Captain Reiter who had command of this ship is also detached, he was very down-hearted when he left us, he intended to make a speech but he broke down and cried, the officers rowed him a shore and the crew gave him three rousing cheers.

Dec. 17. Captain McCullough came aboard and is going to take the ship to Bremerton, he is a great man and has a fine war record as a naval hero.
Arrived in Bremerton Wash

Dec. 20 it is rather cool and we have a fall of snow every once in awhile.

(59)
Dec. 30. Went on a seven day furlough went up to Tacoma for New Years, and was at Seattle the rest of the time went to a dance in Tacoma New Years night and had a nice time.
Its nice and cold here now but we are allowed to go up in the yard and play football and we don’t mind it we have snow quite often now.

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1903 New Year

Feb. 5. Some of the lads gave a minstrel show in Bremerton and it proved to be a success, and they are asked to play the same show in Charlston.

Feb. 7. Made an allotment for 2 years.

End

To be continued some day in the future. When I have a shorter time to do in Uncle Sams Navy.

(p. 109)
The Northern Asiatic Squadron now at Chee Foo
U.S.S. S. Kentucky
“ “ “ “ Wisconsin
U.S.S. Oregon
“ “ “ New Oreleans
“ “ “ Manadnock
“ “ “ Monterey
“ “ “ Vicksburg
“ “ “ Helena
“ “ “ Don Juan de Austria

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1904

(111) The cruise of the U.S. S. Annapolis
from _____ to Frisco.
1904
I will try and keep a diary of my cruise on the gunboat Annapolis but this is about my third attempt and I don’t know how I will succeed.
May 16. Transferred to U.S.S. Annapolis from the U.S.S. Wisconsin, this ship is a gunboat of brigantine rig, and it is a great change from a big battleship, every thing is so small and no room to speak of. She has the navy record for gunboats in target practice, the same as the Wisconsin had the record for her class, just think of making nine hits out of ten shots in five minutes and forty seconds and each projectile weighting eleven hundred and fifty pounds that was done on the Wisconsin. This ship’s battery consists of six six inch, four six
(112) pounders, two one pounders and two Colts automatic. We were transferred at 6 o’clock of this day and they were making handclasps when we left our old shipmates, the whole ship company manned the rail and gave three cheers for the homeward bounders, which we returned, and they was many a sigh when we seen the last of the Wisconsin.

May 21. Vicksburg, a sister ship of this, left today in company of the Wisconsin and Frolic for Hong Kong, the Frolic used to be Mark Hanna (???) yacht, but is now a gunboat. The Vicksburg had her homeward (???) pennant flying, we are also flying a homeward (???) bounder.

May 22. Pumps broke down and we lay here two weeks longer we should have went with the Vicksburg but we will meet here at Yokohama and there we will both leave for home, got a new first luff today Miller by name, he relieved Cristy who used to be executive officer, who is now on the Rainbow.

May 23. Rainbow left for Hong Kong, we have plenty work, we took down a sail today and get plenty running boats to man, but we don’t care we are all short timers aboard, the longest timer has only eleven months to do.

May 24. Steam launch broke down more ____ boats, all kinds of calls, but we don’t have much quarters, plenty of bright work to shine (???) though.

May 25. Been on the Asiatic Station (???) a little over a year and I am mighty glad we are to leave it, but some (???) of my shipmates has been

(114) here for three years, but what do we care we are all homeward bound and before many months are up we shall be in Gods Country, my own United States.
Five o'clock is reville (sic) and all hands get up, get some coffee, have a smoke then it is three bells, three bells is turn to, scrup, and wash clothes, scrub-down your ____scrup, all paint work, 4 bells stop, all scrup and wash clothes on the line wash down the decks, shine your bright work, and at six bells draw water and wash and at seven bells all hands are piped to breakfast. This is an every day occurance (sic), and I only mentioned it in case any one should try to peruse these lines, they will know what happens in the morning watch, I won’t mention it in the rest of these writings

(115) as it is the same thing everyday.

May 27. Steam launch broke down again, and we get plenty of ___ulling boats, today especially as we are guard ship and I’ve been pulling since this morning in guard boat. Got the phonegraph (sic) going, whenever we get a chance plum duff for dinner: You get very good chow aboard here, better than the flagship.

May 28. Answered a call ashore getting oil and we all got our feet blistered from the sun being so hot, we of course were barefooted, got back in time for dinner afternoon rigged our main trysail gaff and row (???) ________ ______ in boat , drill today was aboard our ship.

May 29. Got a very sore leg and a slight fever, feel pretty bad, but we are used to

(116) that. Leg all swollen had it cut in by the doctor, excused from heavy duty.

May 30. Coaled ship and it was so hot we could hardly work, we actually got dizzy so you know it was warm, but we had to knock off at ten, we could hardly stand we then had lunch, then a little rest, and we went at it again, but we managed to finish, and have the ship cleaned by night.

May 31. Sent (??? Bent? Went???) all sail.

June 1. Got all the sail and sailing gear ready for sea in the evening we gave a farewell entertainment to all the ships now laying here, we had a band, plenty of dancing and refreshments, and whoever knew how to dance or sing had to do their turn, and the farewell was voted by everyone to be a thorough success

(117) and as each boat, with the men left us, they gave us three rousing cheers which we returned heartily. I forgot to mention that we also took on stores today.

June 2. Secured all boats for sea, got everything ready, and at 4 P.M. the boats’n’s mates piped, all hands up anchor for home, we then weighted anchor, sent a man to the wheel and chains, it reminded me of a little poem, you see it was 8 bells when we got up anchor, here it

Strikes 8 bells
Relieve the wheel and chains
Oh, won’t we have a jolly time
When we get home again.

(118) bounder, then we manned the rigging and we returned them as heartily as they were given, for every man abord (sic) here is glad to leave the dust of the Philippines behind him, where you get wheather (sic) that would kill a horse but not a blue jacket.

June 4. Tried to sail with square sail again but no go, during the ___ watch we set them all, but we had to ___ _____ again and we are kept busy the whole watch, we keep pretty busy, you can’t lay down whenever you want on here, for just as you are dropping to sleep, you will hear (???), lay aft

(119) to the braces, it brings me back to the days I spent on the old Mohican.

June 5. Furled sail on the fore, run out othe jib, flying jib, and trysail and main gaff topsle, spanker and mizzen gaff tops’sle, in afternoon set the main topmast stay’sle and mizzen topmast stay’sle, my watch below this afternoon. A lot of the boys would much rather be on the Wisconsin, where you have no sail, but this will make sailors out of us, but if we had our way we wouldn’t be sailors.

June 26. All sail set, in addition to the sail we had set yesterday is the fore’s fore top’s and the te gallant scle (???), we are knocking out 9 knots and a little over. My trick at the wheel , I get a wheel watch every

(120) twenty four hours.

June 27. Wind died down a little took in all the headsail and rest is flapping, no quarters, had lots of rain since leaving Cavite (???). Passed where the Charlestown sunk yesterday

June 26. Did nothing but clew up the sail then furl it, and I about fifteen minutes another little breeze would spring up and then we would set it again, we have been on the go the whole watch, its mostly done, so that we can get on to it, we’ll be ready for the blows we get up north. Sighted a steamer of the starboard bow.

June 9. Top’sle sheet carried away, had to reeve off a new one. I’ve been aloft all morning scraping masts, it is now my watch below, the starbord (sic) watch is shortening sail.

(121) by the way this old kipper looks a good deal like old fighting Bob Evans, same height, shape, and features are nearly the same, in the evening it started to rain.

June 10. While at the wheel last night the officer of the deck cautioned the quartermaster to keep a sharp look out for lights, being as we are in the waters of a belligerent country, he thought weel (sic) to keep a lookout, as they might take us for a Russian. Heavy ground swells, and a little rough, could not set the tables today had to eat off deck. All sail in but the square, set the main try’sle awhile ago but had to take it in again.

June 11. Sighted Fujiama the sacred mountain of the Japanese early this morning. Passed

(122) and went on our way, was convoyed passed the Japanese forts by a Japanese petrol ship, then we kept a neat furl on all sail, got all boats ready for out, anchor davits rigged, and way kept on a go all morning fixing things shipshape. You can see sampans as far as the eye can see, sampans and more sampans. Fujiama looks very nice with its snow capped peak, it is 12365 feet high, and it has snow on it the whole year around, the Japs have the swell head over their good luck in whipping the Russians., I seen a few pictures today that Carl Lewis showed of the sunken Russian ships. We gave the national salute at one o'clock and broke the Japanese flag at the mainmast.

(123) We dropped anchor here at 1 o'clock, after an 8½ (???) day trip from Cavite, a distance of 1782 miles, the ship is surrounded by merchants of all kinds, they certenly (sic) seen our homeward bound pennant flying, the Vicksburg out sister ship left here yesterday for the states. We will stay here about ten days, and then off for God’s Country.

June 12. Went on liberty, got in a rikisha (sic) and rode to some of the places I knew, I know this town pretty well now so I therefore know where to go, and I had a very nice time. We were all under the impression that we were going to Bremerton but we are not, instead we are going to Frisco by the northern route.

June 13. Sunday not much doing

(124) all the merchants were abord (sic) with their china ware, silk, and curios, I bought two tea sets of forty three each an album and a few nice little curios.

June 14. Tarring down all the rigging, went ashore after the work was through had a nice time, bought a kimono.

June 15. Loose sail to dry, paint ship. All hands bend sail, we took down all the old sail, and bent on a new set, homeward bounders you know. All hands put in two yen for silk homeward bound pennant, an ensign and jack it will cost about one hundred and ninety yen, and when we get home we will send it to the city of Annapolis. Went aloft and put on some new ratlines (???), rained all afternoon, put down for small stores

June 17. All hands loose sail, it

(125) rained yesterday,and we have to dry sail, afternoon all hands furl sail.

June 18. Raining, holystarred (???) decks, scrubbed all paint work, no drill, 5 o'clock setting up exercise, uniform changed from white to blue. At 6 o'clock the wind started to blow, until it blew a gale, we let our port anchor, both anchors are now at the bottom. A steamer laying about three quarters of a mile off, drifted down on to another one and carried away her bow sprit, she finally got up steam, and steamed inside the breakwater, had to furl all the awnings there is a fierce wind blowing, don’t
know what it will do before morning.
All hands lay aft, and

(126) take the sheet anchor forrad on the fo’c’sle, reeve off the cat, hoist the anchor and set on the bill board, bent on a hawser to the ring and had it ready for letting go.

June 19. Didn’t have to let go the sheet anchor last night. Nice and calm this morning took the sheet anchor and put it in its place again took our port anchor in allso (sic), unreeved the cat falls (???) spread awning. 9.30 inspection, in the afternoon Carl Lewis a photographer took a picture of the ships compass. A report today that Russia took three Japanese transports, two loaded with soldiers and one with ammunition.

June 20. Coaled ship, took on two hundred ton and a deckload of five-hundred bags, got

(127) through with the four lighters in the afternoon, but found out we had to take on twenty three more ton, we waited for it, but it didn’t come.

June 21. The rest of the coal came this morning, but no baskets came with it, and we thought of coaling our buckets, but gave it up, we finally found four baskets, and started to coal with them, by and by we seen some of the sampan men with baskets, and a couple of the lads manned the wherry and went after them, the sampan men started to scull their sampans as fast as they could, but the lads overhauled them and took the baskets away from them, we gave them back when we got through, we got on the coal pretty fast after that, as every sampan had about three baskets in

(128) it, we got through after breakfast, then we went to work and cleaned the ship up, and was washed down by dinner. Merchant’s (sic) with their silk and curios, as thick as ever, in the afternoon all hands washed up and scrubbed clothes. Sent up the gallant yard, hoisted all boats, spread awning.

June 22. Secured all boats for sea, rigged the foretack and sheet, rigged the cat fall,got everything ready for leaving, great scramble during the meal hour, whoever had any Japanese money got rid of it buying curios. At 1.15 the word was passed for all hands to up anchor for home, we then weighted anchor, had to go out under one boiler, as the tubes blew out of the other one, got the poop deck covered, with bag full of coal and (spuds???), had

(129) to shift them from starboard to port, as they was a slight list to starboard. Steaming out slowly, and leaving, the old familiar scenes far behind never to return again. I thought we were going to take the southern route, but we ain’t, we’re going to take the northern, known as the great circular route, we shall go as far as 55 degrees north, the Vicksburg took the route strait (sic) across, to Bremerton, she left thirteen days ahead of us, we are going to Frisco. We have some live ducks aboard, and when we were (sic) about to leave, one of the lads gave the basket a kick and said give three cheers for the homeward bounders, and the ducks began to cackle.

June 25. Last night we set the fore foretop’s and the te(???) gallant sail, but we had to clew up again in an hour, as the wind died down, struck coal below

(130) during the watch.
Set the fore’sle this morning truck coal below, set sail again, but the starboard watch furled again at dinner, that is our watch was at dinner, you see they are two watches, port and starbord (sic) and so many men in each watch. In the afternoon set sail again, but very little wind, had the peace distirber (sic) going this afternoon, that’s what we call the phonograph we have it playing when ever it is our watch below. Struck coal below, sighted a sail off the starboard bow. I get a wheel watch every twenty four hours, and she steers bad on account of the coal weighting down her stern the marines was standing life buoy watch but kicked and got out of it, so that is another watch we have to stand,

(131) them marines better known as leather-necks, is only in the way anyhow, very little use they are aboard here

June 24. Had all the square sail set this morning, but one o'clock we clewed up, no wind, steaming ourn an average nine knots an hour. Furled all sail on the fore, had a little trouble with the bunt (???), had to let it go and furl it again, after furling the fore’sle, we took the foretop’s and then the te gallant’s, and we could not go to supper till it was all furled, its (sic) not like the Mohican in that respect, on the training ship we had men every yard and when the order was given to to furl away, they were were all furled together, but on here we havent (sic) so many men, that is not as many as we had on the Mohican,

(132) and when the watch furls they start on the fore and work right up. From 8 to 10 we struck coal below
June 25. Struck coal below, packed the spuds (???) shipshape, and had a field day, that means a day for cleaning up. Its getting coalder (sic) right along now, and we have to stay in blues. The officer of the deck cautions the look out to keep a sharp look out for ice-bergs. Very foggy, had the fog whistle going, sent down the te gallant yard, as we expect rough weather. In the afternoon rigged the te gallant yard, rove off new te gallant sheets, pretty good wind but furred of the beam, set the jib, for a topmast stay’sle, main topmast stay’sle, main try’sle mizzen topmast tay’sle and

(133) the spanker.
June 26. Very cold and its hits us pretty hard as we just came from a warm country, all the coal is struck below, seen a few whale (sic) this morning. Got every inch of canvas spread, making an average of ten knots an hour. Making sennet (???) all morning and this is Sunday, and oh how cold, but when its your watch on deck you have to stay on deck.

June 27. When called for the morning watch, we got up, and oh my how cold, it was raining and blowing, and we took in the te gallant and right off the reel, well it got from bad to worse, we put provender braces on the fore and fore top’sle and was kept busy the whole watch. At 8 bells the starboard watch came on deck, and our watch below was

(134) intending to have a nice snooze, but when we were droping (sic) in to the land of dreams, all hands were piped to shorten sail and oh, what wheather (sic), well we had to go aloft to furl the fore and the top’sle, and talk about holding on with your eyebrows, and its all new sail, and wet, and that made it so stiff and hard to furl, we had to stay aloft about three quarters of an hour, and when we came down we were wet to the skin, I was like a drowned as I had forgotten to put on my oilskins and sou’wester. We couldn’t set tables as ever thing is having a quadrille around the deck. Mizzen topmast stay’sle sheet carried away and also the the (sic) jib sheet, so we set up a storm’s and took in the spanker, and set a storm stay’sle, the jib got tore up quiet (sic) a bit. Only got the gaff top’sle and the storm

(135) sails set now.
In the afternoon put rolling tackle on the boat davits for security sake. Took in storm’s and set the spanker, set the gaff top’sle, took in the storm stay’Isle and set the jib, it ain’t blowing so hard now. Very heavy fog, rain knocked off, the starbord (sic) watch is now getting the fore’Isle, the fog whistle is going right along. We made an average of 11.4 today.

June 28. We could not sleep last night on account of the rough seas, the foretopmast stay’sle was tore to ribbons last night, it was blowing that hard. And while we would be dozing off during the night the first thing you knew, a ___scuttle or coffee pot would be doing a two step around your head, then the petty officers refrigerator came down with a smash and that alone would have woken the dead and it

(136) spilled molasses, all over my corking mat and I decided I would sleep no more that night, then the tables took a tumble and danced with the chairs, and the mess gear was doing a buck and wink, oh, this is great stuff if you don’t care what you say. The square sail is set again with a few of the fore and afters, it is not blowing so hard now, but there is a dense fog, and the fog whistle blows itself every minute. We are making now an average of 8 knots and (sic) hour we expect to be in Dutch Harbor the 2nd of July.

June 28. Clear bright day, making on an average of 9.5. Furled sail last night but set it again this morning. Drew small stores.

June 27. Clear crispy day, all sail set, we are going under sail alone for awhile, nice breeze.

(137) Sighted a few whale (sic), breeze pretty changeable some times it will blow and we’ll have to take in sail, then it will die down and we’ll have to set it up again.

July 1. Rather rough, haven’t set tables since leaving port, very hard steering. At quarters this morning we had to wear peacoats. Took in the te gallant and top sail and staysails. In afternoon took off the provender braces, and rolling tackles, and stowed them below. Crossed the 180 meridian at 4.20 A.M. we therefore gain a day, today is Friday, July the 1st and tomorrow will be July the 1st Friday also.

July 2. Had to wear pea-coats, to quarters we have quarters nearly every day, but no drill. There is one thing I wish to mention

(138) before going any further and its about sail, you see I can’t keep track of all the sail that we set, and haul down, because we are always doing it, and if you should see where we furled the topsail one day, and I should mention the same ting the next, you can take it for granted that we set it during the interval, you see during the mid-watch we may furl all the square sail, like we did last night and in the morning when our watch gets up, we may see them all set again, of course the other watch had been at work. We haven’t had any calm since leaving port. The chief boatswain’s mate and a seaman had a fight this morning in the focs’le. It is daylight at 2.30 in the morning, and it don’t get dark till about 9 P.M. Last night all hands furled sail, my trick at the wheel

(139) Land was sighed last night to the _____ (???). And this morning when our watch came on deck, the first thing we seen was the land all covered with snow, and think this is >July. Been running close to shore all day, under half speed. Passed Unamack (???) Pass this morning, where the Condor an English gunboat, of the same tonnage and rig as this one, sunk with all hands. Following up the coast right along, snow all over the mountains and valleys, and it is a most beautiful sight. This morning we gave the ship a thorough ____ cleaning, and we expect to be in by 9 P.M. These mountains are the prettiest I’ve ever seen, you will see one all covered with snow and another the same height about a mile off, wont have

(140) any snow only moss. Passed an active volcano. Put a neat furl on all sail this afternoon, and everything is ready for going into port, we are going through the nicest channel I’ve ever seen, and the scenery is most beautiful to (sic) beautiful in fact, for this pen of mine to describe.

July 3. We dropped our anchor at 8 bells. I had the last wheel watch coming in. This certenly (sic) is a nice place, land locked all around, ant the grandest breakwater you ever seen, and a natural one at that. Lowed the whale boat and took some officers ashore, and when over there I seen quite a number of Indians, I hear most of the population is Indians, though they are quite a few white people prospectors mostly.

(141) The town nearest us is Dutch Harbor about ½ mile away, their ain’t very many dwellings there and the town of Unalaska (???) is around the point about one mile from us, it is a little larger. The island itself is named Unalaska (???) and the town takes its name from it. there is the U.S. collier Saturn (???) laying here, also a whaler, and our old abanded (????) whaler. Today is Sunday and we have been on the go all day painting ship, in afternoon had to go in boat and take a football party to Unalaska, it’s a pretty place though small. A seining party left in a cutter to go seining.

July 4. The seining party made a good haul last night, they caught a fine mess of fish, salmon, salmon trout

(142) herring and flounders. We had the salmon for dinner today. We dressed ship today, and at 12 o'clock we fired the national salute of 21 guns. In the afternoon, we got up anchor to go alongside of the dock, and we certenly (sic) was slow, the old skipper is afraid he will run this old balleho (???) aground, and we were having and pulling for two hours and a half, we first paid out about 250 feet of 5 inch rope, and then we started heaving why the Wisconsin would go alongside the dock in half an hour, and she drains 24 feet, while this little spit ___, only draws 15 feet when loaded down, we finally got it alongside about 5.30 PM and we were kept on the go.

(143) July 5. Coaled ship, and was through at 2 P.M. knocked off at ten o'clock for lunch, the way here is this, they have small coal cars, and they run them down from the coal sheds to the dock, and all hands have wheel barrows, and wheel it aboard ship. It was great fun for awhile until we got tired. In the evening a few of us went from Dutch Harbor to Unalaska, we hyked (sic) over the mountains, and when we got over them we seen we had to cross a bay, and we didn’t have no money to hire a boat, so we just took one, and brought it back about 1 P.M. good morning, and we had a nice ramble of it. We are going to have a dance here tonight, we all put in a little, and it finally came to $150 and I think we will have a nice time.

July 6. The dance last night was

(144) great, everything was a grand success, all the officers attended and we had a number of girls and maybe we didn’t make the most of it, their was plenty dancing, singing and refreshments, and they were some awfully pretty half breeds their (sic) and their was plenty of white girls too, and all dead anxious to dance, everybody was well pleased and we were singing and dancing until 1 P.M. The seining party went out today, and brought back a nice mess of salmon, and herring. The whaler left yesterday for the Artic (sic) Seas. The revenue cutter McCullogh arrived here yesterday, there is a small scooner (sic) alongside of the dock with a fortune in sealskins in her. In the afternoon, I went playing football, and also visited the McCullogh. After supper a visiting party came over from the revenue cutter, and we had a few songs, their chief master at arms is certenly (sic) good on a guitar.

July 8. Got everything ready for sea, and at 11.35 we weighted anchor, and steamed slowly out, with our homeward bound pennant trailing behind.

July 9. Nice day, set all sail, but had to take them in again, it will be a continued round of setting sail and taking it in again until we get to Frisco, I think we are making about 8.5 for the hour. We salted a few barrel of fish before leaving port, and they will come in good, as we haven’t many fresh provisions.

(145) July 10. Nice day, no sail set, steaming about 9. The coal we got in Dutch Harbor was no good for us, because all the hat is going up the stack, sometimes it is so light on deck from the flame coming out of the stack that you can read a book, this morning the stack was red hot, and a lot of the ribets (sic) gave way, we expect to see it carry away before getting in, and if it does we will be in a fix for sure, the fireroom gang are doing their best, and if we weren’t homeward bound, I don’t think this would move. All the engines are nearly played out, and she is just holding together. Set a few of the fore and aft sail, but took them in again, no wind.

July 11. Set all square sail during the mid-watch, and this

(147) morning the try sails and gaff top’s. Put new guys on the some stack to keep it from falling down. Sighted a few whale. Had general muster.

July 12. Took in all sail last night, but set the square sail again this morning. We are having very fine weather so far, making on an average of 9 knots for the hour. We don’t have any drills on this ship at sea. Slight rain, set the mizzen topmast staysail. Starting to blow the starboard watch is on deck, they took in the te’gallant and topsail. We are working now on our double bottoms and bilges, red leddding (???) them up getting things ready to go out of commission.

July 13. Blowing pretty hard and raining the starboard watch took

(148)in the for’sle, I had the 6 to 8 wheel and the wind and rain beat against me so hard that I thought my face was cut, rolling badly. Making on an average of 6 knots sometime we slowed down to ¾ speed, head sea, and wind nearly dead ahead. Put on preoventer braces, and got storm sails set. Afternoon getting calmer now, took in storm sails, set the fore and fore-top’sle, and a few of the fore and afters.

July 14. Took in the fore and aft sails shifted the provender braces from starboard to port. A squall just hit us, and we took in our te’gallant sail but it was over in five minutes and we set it again. Only got the square sail set now, but the seas and wind are with us, and we are making on an average of 10

(149) knots per hour. Rolling very badly.

July 15. Had a hard night of it, the watch on deck couldn’t as much as put their head below the hatches, and it is awfully cold, their was a marine stationed there to keep us on deck, and how we did roost that marine we made him feel like two cents mex, and it rolled so badly when it was our watch below, that it was impossible to sleep. Took down the provender braces this morning, we were making good time last night, but the wind has died down a good deal, and we are going under one boiler, so we are making 7 (???) for the hour, all hands are kicking they certenly (sic) treat homeward bounders fierce on this ship.

(150) July 16. Sighted land early in the morning watch, we are running along the shore, sighted 2 schooners at 9.30 and sighted Point Reyes at 10. Put neat furl on all sail, except the square sail, and we still have them set, we expect tot drop anchor about 6 o'clock. It seems good to be back in Gods Country again. Had a field day, cleaning up scraping and painting, trying to make her look like a yacht, when she ought to be sun. 1.15 just passed Point Reyes on top is a signal station and lighthouse. 1.30 PM had hammock inspection., passed the Cliff House and entered the golden gate, passed slowly by Frisco, examined by medical board and proceeded our way to Mare Island. While coming up we seen

(151) the steamer going down to Frisco with the Vicksburg crew on it, they have their ship out of commission and they gave us three hearty cheers, which we returned. We were cheered all the way up the bay, and dropped our anchor about 7. PM home at last.

July 17. Started to put her out of commission, took down all the running gear.

July 18. Kept working with a will putting her out of commission when the order came to rig her again and proceed to Santa Barbara for the Ohio’s trial trip, when we heard that hearts just fell, we were completely discourged (sic), but we had to do it, so we did, we went to the Ohio’s trial trip and then returned, and we finally got started again and we put her out of

(152) commission at last, but we had to work good and hard to do it. And when we put her out, we packed our bags and hammocks, and was transferred. So that’s ends the cruise of the noble Annapolis. I shall write no more until we leave on the U.S.S. New York.

Cruise of the U.S.S. New York

Sept 12 04 Weighted anchor a (sic) 1.30 and are steaming slowly out of San Francisco, no one seems to know for a certainty where we are going, but the general opinion is that we shall stop first at San Diego Cal. This is the finish of the end for I think that when we get to New York, my term of enlistment will have expired. We would have left last week

(153) but when we were about to leave a Russian man’o’war came in and we got orders to stay, our gunboat had been guarding her right along, a few officers and men came aboard last night, and with the assistance of an interpreter we managed to get a good deal of news, but she was taken up to Mare Island navy yard this morning. The cruisers Boston and Marblehead and the torpedo boat Paul Jones are accompanying us.

Sept. 18 Bright and fair day, quarters at 9.30 and three general court martials were read out also the articles governing the U.S.N. a little manovering (sic) before dinner. I am very well pleased with this ship, you don’t have to get up at all hours of the night to furl sail, and

(154) stand quarters watches so that makes it easy for all hands, they are practically nothing whatever to do compared to the Annapolis. Today is Sunday so we won’t have no drill. The pianola is playing, and the chief commissary steward is giving us a little music for dinner.

Sept. 19. Passed San Diego at 9.30 and could see that dear old Coronado Beach, and it has brought back passed memories, the olden days came back as I stood gazing at the Hotel for many good times I’ve had there. We now are certain of going to Magdalena Bay Mex a god forsaken place, for target practice, another place I never cared to see it brings back to me the days we had to eat fish and nothing but fish.

(155) The weather in this part of the country is rather hot in fact a little to (sic) hot for comfort. The drill to day was cast loose and provide, after drill we went to work on the Morriss (???) Tube, better known as the Ping Pong gagett (sic), a contrivance rigged over this that fires a 22 cal cartridge and at target 25 feet, it is to keep you in trim for large gun practice. At five quarters.

Sept 20. Had general quarters last night at general quarters all hands stand by their respective guns and provide ammunition for them, and stand by the (???) give the enemy a run for his money, or vice-versa to to run the enemy for his money. At 9.30 setting up exercise, after that go ahead with the Moriss Tube. Seeing plenty of glying fish now, and also blackfish.

(156) July 21. Land is in sight this morning when we turned out and we followed up the coast all day until we dropped anchor which was about 1.30 o'clock and the old huts ashore are the as seen 2 years ago bit a change, there is only a few huts, the population amounts to about a hundred Mexicans.

Sept 22. Took the whale boat and went trolling, trolled all day and didn’t catch a fish, and we had to pull about ten miles to get back to the ship, as the wind died down and we couldn’t sail, but Murphy the boatswain paid up for it for he was out seining and caught quite a few, enough for the ship’s company. I forgot to mention that Murphy is one of the heroes of the Merrimac, this is

(157) the second hero of the Merrimac that I have been with.

Sept. 22. Had ____ ______ drill as usual at 9.30 we are having lots of ping pong now to prepare us for the coming target practice. Went trolling in the afternoon and caught three spotted mackerel and one yellowtail. The Paul Jones arrived today also the Collier Nero.

Sept. 24 Scrubbed the smoke stacks and spars, I may as well put that down as any thing else for there is very little doing. In afternoon plenty trolling parties leaving ship Spud (???) Murphy is going seining.

Sept. 25. Everything ___, not much doing, drills the same as ever, same old routine, lots of fishing and hunting

(158) parties. Bennington is having target practice.

Sept. 26. Drill this morning was loading drill, and we are having lots of sub-calibre. Swimming in the afternoon.

Sept. 27 Drill: loading and sub calibre signed our quarterly accounts, had $43.13 on the books. Drill at 1.30, loading drill. 5.30 muster.

I find it rather hard to keep a diary regularly, so will have to stop hear (sic) after I will only write the most important events.

Oct. 1. Had athletic sports ashore in which prizes were given. After supper had boxing bouts, the contestants were from different ships in the

(159) fleet, the prizes for each bout was ten dollars, also had swimming races by search light and rope climbing.

Oct. 1. Sent ashore to go swimming. In afternoon up anchor for target post.

Oct. 6. Mail arrived today, having target practice all this week, the Admiral and his staff just came back from a week hunting. The Bennington had Admiral inspection today.

Oct. 13 to 16. Admiral’s inspection. We had all drills imaginable during this period. I think I will knock off keeping a diary now, as everything is so slow. We have our regular routine of drill, and now and them we make up a fishing party, but every Saturday we have a few

(160) boxing contests, savored of a few songs, and dances. I’m going to start and let my beard grow from today.

Oct. 18. One of the lads hauled in a rock-cod fish, weight 250 lbs length 7 feet. Also caught a shark 11 feet long. I extracted one of his eyes for a curio.

Oct 30. Signal boys have been stationed on the highest peak ashore to keep a bright look out for the gunboat Bennington, for as soon as we sight the gunboat we will weigh anchor and she will accompany us to Acapulco Mex.

Oct. 31. The Bennington sighted early this morning. She came in to keep us about 10 o'clock AM and she had our mail and a few stores. We are now on our way to Acapulco.

(161) Sighted land very early this morning, and are now running along the coast. Seen a lot of turtles yesterday. Making on an average of 12 knots. The Bennington couldn’t keep up.

Nov 3. Arrived here in Acapulco. Started to coal in the afternoon and coaled till 11 PM. Nov 4.

Nov. 5. Cleaned ship. A lot of bum boats are alongside with fruit and cigars. This is about the best place I know of for cigars.

Nov. 6 Our boatswains, the hero of the Merrimac left us today he shook hands all around before leaving. He will leave on the mail steamer and will report for duty on the Gulf of Liberty for all special firstclass men from 2 Pm till 10 PM.

(162) We got up our anchor at 4.30 PM and are slowly steaming out, accompanied by the cruisers Boston and Marblehead and the gunboat Bennington, we are now passing the fort and will soon be at sea.

Nov. 8. Hugging the coast all day on account of the gulf stream we are in the Gulf of Tehuantepec the same place that we had the fierce gale on the Wisconsin nearly two years. Seen the city of Tehuantepec from a distance. It has been blowing hard all day.

Nov. 9. Nothing doing. Beating down the Guatemala coast! The short timers are commencing to report the time out.

Nov. 11 Nothing doing for the last two days and no land in sight to day , though we are off

(163) San Salvador.
Nov. 2. Sighted Corro Island today. A school of porpoises are sweeping around our bow and we are trying to harpoon some but have failed so far.

Nov. 13. Land in sight. Raining generally all day, that is one of the characteristics of Panama. We expect to be in tomorrow.

Nov. 15. Clear day, following up the coast and at 9.15 we dropped our starboard anchor. We are laying off the city of Toboga (???) which is a city on Tobago Island, Panama is about fourteen miles from here the rest of the ships put in there for coal but we are not going to coal here. It’s very warm, it seems to me about 120 in the shade. All hands are buying parrots

(164)Nov. 16. there is a rumor circulating around the ship that we have just sent a wireless message to the cruiser Boston which is now laying in the harbor of Panama that we shall also be in Panama tonight. And the other rumor is that there is a riot in Panama and that the President, requires that we should land an armed force. All this shall be proven tomorrow.

Nov. 17. Weighted anchor at 6 A.M. and steamed in to Panama and the Marblehead accompanied us. Haven’t heard no more about the trouble. The American minister to the Republic of Panama, was abord (sic) this afternoon, turned out the marine guard and (8 side boys???) to receive him. And was saluted with seventeen guns when leaving the ships.

(165) And the American counsel was also aboard.

Nov. 18. Just received the worst of news and that is to coal ship. But before coaling we are to get in white dress for to man the rail, when President Mador of Panama comes abord (sic). The President came abord about 10.10 A.M. And we all manned the rail, and he was received with all honor due to one of his rank. He received a salute of twenty-one guns when coming abord and the same amount when leaving. We expect a visit from Gov. Taft, but he hasn’t arrived from the States yet. Right after dinner we started to coal ship, we will take on four hundred ton.

Nov. 26. Thanksgiving all day. Nothing doing, but I am thankful

(166) that I have only 2 months and a few days to do in the navy. But I was speaking to the ships writer and he says I may do three months over time, he says he thinks they will hold all gun-pointers for the next big gun target practice to be held in Culebra with the North Atlantic fleet and being as I am a gun-pointer, I am likely to stay. They are a few more St. Louis lads on here, and we are continually building air castlels (sic) about what we will do when we get back. We live in happy anticipation of happy days.

Nov. 26. The race between our black barge with ten oars and Benningtons ten oared cutter was pulled off at 3 P.M. The race was straightaway course for a distance of one and seven-eights (sic) miles.

(167) Their was only one side to it it seems that we had it from the start, we beat them about eight boat lengths. Their was about twelve-hundred dollars exchanged hands.

Nov. 27. The only amusement we have here is going swimming. The Bennington is sore after their race, they are bad losers.

Nov. 29. Secretary Taft now secretary of war visited the ship today. When leaving he was given a salute of nineteen guns. Received mail.

Dec. 3. Coaled ship, took on about one hundred and sixty tons, got through before dinner.

Dec. 5. Two more months to do from today, but God knows how much over time we will

(168) have to do. About one hundred men overtime now. We expect to leave sometime next week.

Dec. 7. Leaving Panama. We weighted anchor at 3.30 P.M. We are now bound for the Galapagos Islands.

Dec. 8. Making good time, making an average of 13 knots. Marblehead and Bennington are accompanying us. The Boston stayed at Panama. We expect to meet the cruiser Chicago at Valparaiso (?) and we will then shift the flag to her. Just as the watch was called at 8 bells, Neptunes secretary hailed the ship, and we have to receive him, he announced the coming of his Royal Majesty on the morrow.

(169) Dec. 9. Neptunes party came aboard at 1 PM and the band received them. After inspecting the ship, they proceeded to initiate the lubbers or the people that had not been across the equator. Everything was ready the ducking tank, barber, and doctor, and most of the ships company was initiated into the mysteries of the sea.

Dec. 10 Sighted land early in the morning watch, after a time we beat in closer and then followed the land , until we dropped our anchor at about 10 A.M. this is Wreck Island, and it comprises one of the Galapagos group. We took the Admiral and his staff ashore to hunt. It looks good for fishing, but it looks rather barren for hunting. (cont on 182)

(182) Taking on stores from the collier Nero. Plenty of sharks here, and it wouldn’t do for one to fall overboard, and also plenty of turle (?). Up anchor at 5.30 PM and are now bound for ____ (???)

Dec. 17. Nothing doing to speak of. Starting a __ ____ (deucee acee???) contest, I am in the lead so far.

Dec. 18. Sighted land this morning and arrived at an anchorage at 1.00 PM. This ain’t much of a place the Chilean government use it as a navy yard. To fine Chilean cruisers laying here, the Capt. Pratt and the Espinaldo, also a large amount of merchant men. Went ashore in the whale boat and brought off the American ____.

(183) Dec. 19. Cleaned ship. Official trips being made between the US and the Chilean.
Dec. 20. The cruiser Marblehead and the gunboat Bennington around this morning. We got some mail from the Marblehead. Weighted anchor at 12.00 PM and are now bound for Valapariso in company of the Marblehead and Bennington, to await their for the cruiser Chicago so we can transfer the Admiral and staff.

Dec. 21 Arrived in Valapariso this noon, and buoyed the ship fore and aft. I was out in the whale boat all morning and we were kept going. In the evening the coal lighters came alongside. We kept coaling from 4.30 PM of this date until the 23rd at 5.00.

(184) And it was very hard coaling.

Dec. 23. This evening we got through coaling, and the second part liberty section was allowed to go ashore, I am in the second and I went on liberty., this town has changed a good deal for the worse, since I was here before. But three of us went together and went gallaping (sic) over the country in all we have had a pretty good time.

Dec. 25 Came aboard this morning and this is Christmas. I was allowed to go to mass ashore and return at noon, which I did, and I came in for a fine Xmas dinner, it was a regular feast, in fact you couldn’t have got any better. In the afternoon we had the band playing on the

(185) forecastle. We had quite a few visitors aboard, and also visiting parties from the Chilean cruiser O’Higgins and Esmeraldo and from the German man’o’war Falke. Ever since we came here their has been official trips to be made and saluting gun crews to quarters.

Dec. 26. Rigged the quarter deck for the officers to have a ball this evening, it is rigged up nicely with different flags and bright colors. Expect the Chicago to be in the 28th.

Dec. 28 Cruiser Chicago arrived this morning, from Montevideo, she is buoyed astern of the Esmeraldo. Our race boat crew tossed under bow, but they haven’t made any agreements yet. But we have a race to pull with the Chileans, it will be a cutter race.

(186) 29 Dec. 31. The Italian cruiser Umbria arrived today. Had a ten oared cutter, between us the Bennington, Marblehead, and the Falke, in which we beat by 1 ½ boat lengths, the Bennington was second with the Germans a close third.

TOP

1905

1905. The Marblehead gig raced the Chilean and when both boats were going to the stakes you could easily see that the Chileans had the best boat, and a good deal thought they would win, but such was not the case, as the Marblehead beat them about four boat lengths. It was the good old Yankee crew that run the race. Our race will come off this afternoon 2.30 P.M. Both boats just started for the stakes, and they was given a rousing cheer.

(187) It is to be another three mile race, but our crew felt confident after what the Marblehead did to them this afternoon. 2.20 The race is over, it was a regular walk away for our crew, we took the lead from the start and held it right along, we beat the Chileans by twelve boat lengths. It was a ten oared race. The Chileans beat the English blue jackets, but they will have to get up early in the morning to beat the Yanks. We beat them in everything they tried and they feel pretty bad about, we will leave here with flying colors.

Jan 2. All the ships in the harbor was fully illuminated last night, and it was a very pretty sight. And they was a great hulabaloo here New Years night, enough noise to wake

(188) up the dead. And ashore they was a great display of fireworks. The Admiral and staff was transferred this morning, and he and his staff was given a lusty cheer. The fleet left here at 6.00 PM and Chicago is flag ship. They gave three cheers for the homeward bounders meaning us and we returned it with three cheers for the Chicago and three for old Admiral Goodrich, and then we broke our homeward bound pennant. The band played Auld Lang Syne and Home Sweet Home. We also coaled ship yesterday taking on one hundred tons.

Jan. 5. Cleaned ship. The police brought a few stragglers off, and was given a reward, the stragglers wanted to go to the eastern (???) and so they thought they would

(189) let their fleet go without them.

Jan. 4. One month from today now my time expires in the U.S. Navy. We weighted anchor and let go our buoy lines, and got underway at 4.30 PM. The Chileans gave us three cheers, which we returned and our band struck up their national air, and then Home Sweet Home and then we broke our homeward pennant, a long pennant and a long journey.

Jan. 7. Foggy and raining all day. The nearer we come to the Horn the colder it gets, and its pretty cool now.

Jan 9. Sighted a few islands early this morning and we are now

(190) in the Strait of Magellan with land on both sides, and the hills are covered with snow. We received our monthly money today.

Jan 10. Straits of Magellan. We dropped our anchor here. We are to stay here overnight, because the straits are to (sic) dangerous to steam thorough during the night. The Straits so far have been as we pictured them, mountainous regions on both sides, it is rather picturesque after a fashion it is a wild country bleak and barren and is populated by savages. There is one hut here where we are anchored, and the Indians that live in it came aboard to sell skins, they are a well built people.

Jan 12. Weighted anchor at 5.00 AM and proceeded on our journey through the straits. We seen plenty of black fish today. Continued on p. 233.

(233)In some places the land looks a good deal better than in other parts, that is in the line (???) of vegetation. At 7.45 PM we dropped our anchor here in the town of Punta Arenas, better known in English as Sandy Point. This is quite a nice place and rather a large town, the population consists mostly of Chileans and Germans but they are a sprinkling of all nationalities. They are quite a number of merchant steamers here. I was in the whale boat’s crew today and we made a number of trips to the beach. During the day they were merchants came aboard with skins of all kinds, and the lads are buying quite a number of them, though I think they are sham. (???) They say the inhabitants around some of the islands

(234) are as savage as ever, and they still use the bow and arrow, as a weapon of defense.

Jan. 11 All hands was called at 2.30 AM and we upped anchor and started again to finish the straits during the day. We had to weigh anchor, that early because we wanted to be through the Straits this evening. We will then be in the Atlantic Ocean. The land around here is nicely vegetated. And I think there is fine hunting, as everything is also wild. Through Straits this noon at 1.30 PM and are now on the broad Atlantic.

Jan 15 Sunday, rocks and shoals.

Jan 12. Dropped anchor 2.00 PM in Montivedeo Uruguay. And immediately gave the national salute of twenty one guns.

(235) Jan 17. We are laying about five miles from the landing. Our intentions were to coal today, but it is to rough, and the coal lighters can’t weather it, we have to coal over all as the coal comes in five hundred pound bags. We will take on nine hundred and fifty tons.

Jan. 15 Coaled all day, coal came over in bags, with three hundred lbs to a bag, and was good coal. Our baker got injured during coaling.

Jan 19. Coaled up to 3 PM, and then started to clean ship. The fourth section were given liberty and I went ashore and had a pretty fine time. This town is the cleanest I’ve run into in South America and the people here are more sociable and polite. The Uruguayans have no navy, only a few little gun boats.

Jan. 20 Returned from liberty at 3.30 PM

[poem on p. 236]

(237) Got put on the report in the evening.

Jan 21 I got put in the brig for three days on bread and water.

Jan 23. This morning got underway for Bahia Brazil at 3.30 AM. At 8.00 PM we had an awfully accident aboard ship. O’Hearn a turret captain was accidentally shot by a 22 cal rifle used for sub-calibre practice at the after turret, he was standing between the two guns and at present the accident cannot be accounted for yet this bullet went through his right breast, and he died in less then six minutes. He was a fine man well liked by every-one and the whole ship company feel bad about it.

(238) Burial of H. B. O’Hearn.
Jan. 25 Released from the brig. At 2.00 PM all the boatswains mates piped, all hands bury your dead, then assemble ___ and we were marched aft. The corpse was carried out and the marine guard presented arms, and all hands uncovered. The skipper then proceeded to read the funeral service and when at the finish he said, and I commit the body to the sea, and the corpse was laying on the board sewed in his hammock, and at the words commit to the deep the board was raised and his body went to the briny deep. The marine guard then fired three volleys over him and the bugler sounded taps. Then the band struck up a lively tune. During the burial we were hove to, and the flag half

(239) masted. As his body was committed to the deep the band played Near oh my God to Thee.

Jan 26. Rain and fog all day.

Jan 28. Sighted an Italian steamer, and steamed close by her.

Jan. 31. Sighted land early in the morning watch, and about 11.00 o'clock we run in pretty close, and could all the scenery there was to be seen and it was something grand. We steamed in the bay and then we could see the city of Bahia in distance, with most of all the houses painted white, and they are a goodly amount of churches in here as you can tell by the spires. We came to our anchorage at 12.30 o'clock and immediately gave the national salute of twenty one guns, which

(240) returned from the fort ashore. there is no other men’o’war here. In the evening we made preparations to coal ship.

Feb. 1 All hands coal ship. The coal came off in fifty and one hundred ton lighters. We finished them about 3 o’clock, but have to take the same amount on tomorrow as they haven’t lighters, and they had to take the empty ones off to fill them. We took on four hundred ton today. The say this town is generally filled with disease on account of their poor drainage system. This is a great place for birds, especially parrots and parquets, and there are very cheap but we have no cages to keep them in case we would buy them. All hands are buying Brazilian bugs.

(241) The rest of the coal came off today and we finished at 4.00 o’clock. Scrubbed masts and smoke stacks in evening

Feb. 3. Had a field day and was through at 9.00 o’clock. All hands are buying parrots with or without cages and there is parrots all over the ship. I bought a humming bird and a few Brazilian bugs. In evening rigged in all boats for sea.

Feb. 4. My term of enlistment expired in the U.S.N at 9.00 A.M. and I informed the officer of the deck of the fact. At 11.30 A.M. all hands up anchor, we weighted anchor and are now steaming on our way to the West Indies.

Feb. 5 Rained in the morning watch. Had general muster. I am now doing overtime and receiving time and a quarter pay for it.

(242) School of porpoises playing around our boat and plenty of flying fish to be seen.

Jan 9. Passed the equatorial last night about 1.00 o’clock.

Feb. 15. Sighted San Lucia island in the mid watch. Steamed along ashore until we came in sight of the town. We tied to a buoy at 10.45 A.M. then the whale boats were lowered and we passed lines ashore and came along side of dock at 12.30. PM. This is a very pretty place high hills and peaks and all covered with tropical verdure (???), it is an island belonging to England, and there is English garrison here. In the afternoon the natives began to coal us. And the women here coal ship, carrying baskets on their head weighing over a hundred

(243) pounds. And their about the lowest class of people I’ve ever seen all dark Negroes, covered in rags, and living from hand to mouth, they are not allowed to leave the island. The only time they earn any money is when a ship is to be coaled, the then receive about ¾ of a cent a basket, and for thirty baskets one shilling, they form a long line with their baskets on their heads and as each basket is dumped down the shuttle they receive a check, which is good for about ¾ of a cent. But they are happy last evening after coaling all day they began to dance one of their native dances and it was great fun to see them. After each meal is over they scramble for the leavings, and eat the refuse that goes overboard. There the nearest

(244)thing to slavery I’ve ever seen.

Feb. 16. Finished coaling at 2.00 PM then proceeded to clean ship. Weighted anchor at 8.00 PM and are now on our way to Culebra Bay for big gun target practice.

Feb. 18 Arrived here in Culebra Bay at 11.35 AM. The commander of the Alliance came aboard, and we got a little news, the big fleet left here yesterday for Pensacola Fla, the Alliance is station ship here. We have got orders to have our target practice here, and then proceed to Hampton Roads for further orders.

Feb. 19. Pulled over in the whale boat to the Alliance a distance of about 4 miles had to pass through a narrow canal to get there, the canal was built by blue jackets.

(245) Feb. 20. Making all preparations for target practice. I went ashore today in a working party and we built a target.

Feb. 21. Set the targets and buoys, was in ____ boat all day.

Feb. 22 Washington’s birthday, decorated ship. At noon fired a salute of twenty one guns. I was in a working party to slew (???) the target today and was soaked to the skin. Pulling and swimming. Target practice will take place tomorrow.

Feb. 23. I was out in a boat all day helping to move the target out to a further range, and it was a wet job. Cleared ship for action today. Started in to fire the 8 inch guns.

Feb 24. Finished firing the 8 inch guns today, the best score made with the 8 inch was

(246)several shots and seven hits in 1 minute.

Feb. 25. Started to fire the 4 inch guns today and will be finished with them this evening.

Feb 26. Sunday, and a baseball game ashore with the crew of the Alliance and beat them by a score of nine to five. No firing done today.

Feb 27. We will fire colts and six pounders today, I will have to fire a six pounder as I am a qualified gun pointer.

Feb 28. Had torpedo practice today.

Mar 1. Had six pounder practice today. Rough (???) made very poor scores.

Mar 2. Weighted anchor at 9.00 PM and are now bound for Hampton Roads Bay.

Mar 5. Nice weather. Making very poor time, only under two boilers.

(247) Nice weather, nothing doing.

Mar 7. Sighted Diamond Shoal light ship. The weather is getting colder. This evening the weather changed all of a sudden. And now it fells like zero.

Mar 8. Anchored last night. We are laying about fifteen miles from Hampton Road but are unable to get under weigh on account of the dense fog. Our fog bell is going all the while. At times we can hear the fog whistle of passing steamers. I forgot to mention that we passed Cape Hatteras without hitting it rough, though the seas were choppy and a good wind blowing, but we hit it easy compared to some ships, for Cape Hatteras is known as the graveyard of the Atlantic. Rigged out gang ways and

(248) got the steam launches made for going out. If the this fog keeps up we will not be able to get underway. The fog lifted sufficient enough to get under weight, and at 1.30 PM we steamed up the Chesapeake Bay and entered in the Hampton Roads and dropped our anchor off the Camberland Hotel. The famous fortress Monroe is here, the best fortress in the U.S. It’s raining and very cold to us who have just came from the tropics, the temperature is 38 above.

Mar 9. The board of inspectors came aboard today, they consisted of four captains, three commanders, and a major of marines. We had all the drills imaginable today, we have been drilling all day out in the rain, and all hands are discontented, why we should

(249) be home instead of drilling for inspection, I don’t think that very many of the ships company will enlist, well I ain’t going to complain in this log, because I didn’t intend it for complaints, so I will pipe down. Received mail this evening, and all hands were happy, there is nothing like mail to cheer a ships company. I received two letters.

Mar 10. All hands clear ship for action, one of the worst jobs imaginable we have to latterly tear the ship to pieces when we have this drill, and clear everything away for going into action. At 10.30 General quarters, and all hands manned their guns, and went through the drill. Raining all day today. Also had heavy marching order. Started to rig ship and take off ammunition in the afternoon. (contd. On p.277)

(277) Continued from P. 249. The inspecting officers left today and many maledictions went with them.

Mar 4. Finished taking off ammunition at 10 o’clock, and immediately rigged in the steamers and gan ways, and wayed anchor, and got under way. We flew our homeward bound pennant, and all hands are overjoyed to get home, we expect to be discharged when we get in Boston. So good-bye to Old Point Comfort, ___, and old fortress Monroe. Cape Charles lays off our port beam, and Cape Harry off our starboard quarters and we are now steaming out of the Chesapeake Bay. The Bay of Good oysters.

Mar 12. Cold and crisp, northern doing.

Mar 3. Passed Cape Cod this morning at 7.20 plenty fishing smacks (???) around, I forgot to mention that last night about 7.30

(278) we sighted the Nantucket lightship. Boston town and islands can be seen, but we stopped our engines at 11.45 AM and are going to wait for high tide. At 12.40 PM we got under weigh again and expect to anchor in Boston in a few hours. The city of Chelsea is on our starboard side and Bloster on our port side and Boston dead ahead, we are in the outer harbor now, and are about to pass a channel. This is my last trip at sea. The coast along here is well fortified, and they are numerous small islands all around. Dropped anchor at 2.45 PM.

Mar 4. We are laying in the Mystic River, and you can see Bunker Hill with its large monument.

Mar 5. About twenty men are to be discharged today.

Mar 6. We are having very nice weather though is rather cold. Tomorrow we will parade in Boston, for it is the 129 anniversary of the evacuation.

Mar 7. St. Patrick's day. We went ashore to parade at 1.00PM we were taken up to the starting point in the street cars. It was a strictly military parade, in honor of the day that we drove the British out of Boston town. The blue jackets got the greater part of the applause. The streets were awfully muddy. The people ashore sent refreshments to us when we returned to the ship.

Mar 9. Came alongside of the dock this morning and moored ship. And then proceeded to put the ship out of commission we worked all day but it was a nice day to work.

(280). Mar 19. Sunday another doing. A few old shipmates that are discharged came over to the ship, and they are perfectly satisfied, the band was discharged Saturday.

Mar 20. We went to work again to put the ship our of commission, tearing up everything and sending it up in the navy yard. The apprentices were discharged today, and lads that were with me four years, I had to shake their hand and bid farewell. I guess we will never meed (sic) again. Took out the propeller blade and anchor drains today.

Mar 21. Twenty five more are to be discharged today but I am not of the twenty member, but my time will come. Taking down top-masts and yards today.

(281) Mar 22. A heavy fall of snow today. We took down the topmasts and it was a miserable job working in the snowstorm.

Mar 23. Rather warm today and the snow is melting rapidly. Had to shovel snow all morning.

Mar 24. Just seen the list of men to be discharged tomorrow and my name is amongst the members. Hurrah

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