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Story
May 31, 1898
Evening Journal
Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware
What is this article about?
A naval officer recounts how his gun crew at Dry Tortugas, after the USS Maine explosion, stayed awake on deck to watch for Spanish ships, driven by desire for revenge and fear of surprise attack, leading to their exhaustion during drills.
Clipping
OCR Quality
88%
Good
Full Text
SAILORS COULDN'T SLEEP.
They Were Anxiously Watching Waiting for the Revenge, Spaniards Maine and Cervera Wright
"It was a constant round of drills and picket duty on our ship at Dry Tortugas after the Maine was blown up," said a recently returned naval officer to an Electrical Review man. "We were 70 miles at sea, with no source of news, and we didn't know when a Spanish fleet would heave in sight. We all worked harder than ever, chiefly to keep our minds occupied. My division included what I considered the crack gun crew of the ship, and the way those boys handled the rapid-fire guns was something delightful.
"After a week or two of this unusual drill, which developed a proficiency truly amazing, I noticed that my pet gun crew became listless and a trifle slow in their work. They seemed to lack heart. Sharp words and reprimands only served to stir them up temporarily. I was at a loss to account for this change, and set out to discover the reason. I called up the old gunner's mate and asked him what he thought was the cause.
" 'Don't know, sir. The boys is all right, sir, only I guess they don't sleep very well, sir.'
"More puzzled than ever, I resolved to keep my eyes open. Jackie is a queer bird at times. The next night I was officer of the deck and had the mid-watch. Along about two bells I thought I heard voices forward, and went to investigate. There was that whole blessed crew stowed away as comfortably as possible upon the deck, looking out to sea. Some were lying down with their eyes glued on the water, others had their elbows on the guard rails with their chins on their arms looking over the waves.
"I went aft and sent for one of my men, and asked him why he wasn't below in his hammock where he belonged.
" 'Well, sir, we ain't a-goin' to get caught asleep down below in our hammocks like those Maine boys, sir. We owe the Spanish something for that and something for ourselves. We are all tryin' to be first to sight a Spaniard, sir, so we're watchin'-that's all, sir.'
"Here was the explanation of my gun crew's listless performance. They were working as hard as men could work and getting little or no sleep. It wasn't fear that kept them awake not by a long shot. It was simply the desire to be the first to sight a Spanish ship and the hope of getting the first shot at her. The suspense of inaction was what worried the boys."
—Electrical Review.
They Were Anxiously Watching Waiting for the Revenge, Spaniards Maine and Cervera Wright
"It was a constant round of drills and picket duty on our ship at Dry Tortugas after the Maine was blown up," said a recently returned naval officer to an Electrical Review man. "We were 70 miles at sea, with no source of news, and we didn't know when a Spanish fleet would heave in sight. We all worked harder than ever, chiefly to keep our minds occupied. My division included what I considered the crack gun crew of the ship, and the way those boys handled the rapid-fire guns was something delightful.
"After a week or two of this unusual drill, which developed a proficiency truly amazing, I noticed that my pet gun crew became listless and a trifle slow in their work. They seemed to lack heart. Sharp words and reprimands only served to stir them up temporarily. I was at a loss to account for this change, and set out to discover the reason. I called up the old gunner's mate and asked him what he thought was the cause.
" 'Don't know, sir. The boys is all right, sir, only I guess they don't sleep very well, sir.'
"More puzzled than ever, I resolved to keep my eyes open. Jackie is a queer bird at times. The next night I was officer of the deck and had the mid-watch. Along about two bells I thought I heard voices forward, and went to investigate. There was that whole blessed crew stowed away as comfortably as possible upon the deck, looking out to sea. Some were lying down with their eyes glued on the water, others had their elbows on the guard rails with their chins on their arms looking over the waves.
"I went aft and sent for one of my men, and asked him why he wasn't below in his hammock where he belonged.
" 'Well, sir, we ain't a-goin' to get caught asleep down below in our hammocks like those Maine boys, sir. We owe the Spanish something for that and something for ourselves. We are all tryin' to be first to sight a Spaniard, sir, so we're watchin'-that's all, sir.'
"Here was the explanation of my gun crew's listless performance. They were working as hard as men could work and getting little or no sleep. It wasn't fear that kept them awake not by a long shot. It was simply the desire to be the first to sight a Spanish ship and the hope of getting the first shot at her. The suspense of inaction was what worried the boys."
—Electrical Review.
What sub-type of article is it?
Biography
Military Action
Heroic Act
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Justice
Misfortune
What keywords are associated?
Sailors Vigilance
Uss Maine
Spanish American War
Naval Duty
Dry Tortugas
Gun Crew
Revenge
Where did it happen?
Dry Tortugas, At Sea
Story Details
Location
Dry Tortugas, At Sea
Event Date
After The Maine Was Blown Up
Story Details
Naval officer discovers his vigilant gun crew staying awake on deck to spot Spanish ships first for revenge after USS Maine explosion, explaining their exhaustion during intense drills.