Wednesday, June 30, 1915

Disappointment seems to be the one thing we are certain of on this cruise. We turned out at 4:30 alright - only to find that there were no lighters alongside. From the topside one could see one on the beach, apparently in a sinking condition, and several others on their way to Crabtown. We lay around singing etc. until about 10 o'clock (had breakfast in the meantime of course) when we crawled out of our various coaling uniforms into kaki [khaki]. Something new has come up - a hazing investigation is being held. Incidentally there is one being conducted at West Point now too. Here it applies only to the new plebes. The say that 3 1st classmen and 5 youngsters have been caught. We had to tell under oath that we had done no hazing and had seen none. Fortunately I could easily do that. But if a big investigation should be started involving last years plebes I would be out of luck - as would every other upperclassman in the academy. We are all hoping that it will go no further. There is nothing to do this afternoon but cork off. The say we coal tomorrow, but I doubt it right now. Another evening in the eyes cheered us up enuf to make the prospects of coaling tomorrow not at all dreadful.

Tuesday, June 29, 1915

I had to turn out at 5 this morning, but it was not my morning to scrub. We got beat at signal drill they the BU, after which I went to quarters and gun drill where I took a 3" breech apart and assembled it again. After that I returned to the bridge until 12:30. I was off all afternoon. Turner told us he didn't want to see a sign of us - and he didn't. He surely is a lazy man and a prince to us. Preparations are being made to coal tomorrow. The chutes are in place, bags and shovels piled on deck and the life lines taken down in the vicinity of the coaling booms. I was on watch from 8 - 10 tonight - sent the blinker message to the BO. The word was passed that reveille would be at 4:30, coffee at 4:45 and 'turn to' at 4:55.

Monday, June 28, 1915

It was this morning that I stood that 2 - 4 AM watch for Nick - but I corked during nearly the whole watch. I couldn't help it. Was on the bridge from 6 - 8. We had swedish competitions there - a queer form of amusement, but an effective one. After quarters I went to gun drill. Ran off a pretty good string. After gun drill went back to the bridge. In the afternoon I was excused for nav, but after a short lecture on stereo I went below where I threw 50 buckets from the bunkers, shot a pile of ashes and fired 6 times. Spent a pleasant evening in the eyes, turning in about 10. The nights for the last week have been extremely windy, while the days as a rule have been sunny and cool.

Sunday, June 27, 1915

Had to turn out at 5 but I corked on a bench until 6:30. Went on the bridge from 8 to 12. Josh called from the BO for me and we had a good chat via semaphore. As our division has guard duty today we cannot go ashore - so I am behind the anchor davit writing letters. While I was on the bridge this afternoon Miss Pedmond and a party of friends and relations came aboard. We had a jolly time showing them around the ship. A promise of some more of that good candy didn't make us smile at all - no, not at all. Price slipped one over on me by making me stand a watch which I didn't rate. He'll know it feels to have one slipped over on him some day. Stood a 2-4 AM watch for Nick tomorrow morning.

Saturday, June 26, 1915

Turned out at 5 to swab the bridge, but we had nothing to do. The Admiral - Fullam - came aboard for inspection this morning. I don't know whether it was just my imagination or not, but it seemed to me that his head has grown grayer than it was. I can easily see how it might. It means a lifetime of hard work to become a rear admiral, and to lose that honor once it has been achieved is enuf to turn a man's head white. We had liberty this afternoon but I didn't go ashore. The 'gang' met again in the eyes.

Friday, June 25, 1915

Turned out early this morning. As it was field day we merely washed down with water. I went on a new signal detail at 8 A.M. I am the only 'old' man on my crew. We lost to the Wisconsin. At 1:15 we turned to on the bridge gratings - and were finished at about 2:30. From then until 4 I had nothing to do. I was on again from 4 - 6:30, or rather I should have been. But I traded a 2 - 4 night watch with Nick so that I could practice our quartet. Had nearly a whole can of peaches at supper. Was on the bridge from 8 - 10. I broke out a searchlight and signaled to the BU. They were rotten - I don't know how they thot I was.

Thursday, June 24, 1915

Turned out at about 5:15 but did not scrub decks. Had spuds drill, followed by gun drill. My string was pretty good. Amused myself with Geok and some Indian bouts. Had a lecture on target practice by Turner in the morning and one on aids to navigation in the afternoon. I was very sorry to hear of the death of Commodore Bechler - he was a man who earned and well deserved the love of all who knew him.

Stoked from 4 to 5:30 this evening. Just before that I spent a half hour practicing a cornet part for a quartet we are getting up. Listened to old Mose Bell - who has the iron Bull now. He is fat - and has the deep healthy laugh so characteristic of fat men. If it wasn't that he is black he might be a good 'bull' companion - but I haven't come to the point yet where I want to run around with a black man. He seems to be in well with the crew - as most black enlisted men are.

Wednesday, June 23, 1915

We Had Gun Duty

Felt that it was my 'deutay to the Nevay' to turn out at 5 this morning - and then we didn't scrub decks. All I did was make up two hatch covers. Had fire quarters and then gun drill. Played chess for an hour. Instead of scrubbing hammocks at 4, I folded up my new one, turned the old one inside out, and went below. I fired one boiler for an hour with the advice of the old fireman. I like it immensely. Sat in the eyes again till about 8:30. The wind was blowing about 60 miles. Those who slept on deck must have almost been blow from their hammocks.

Tuesday, June 22, 1915

Slept in again, but only until 6 o'clock. I heard there were only 3 secondclassmen on the quarterdeck - and from the number that admitted they slept in I believe 'three' was right. Turner went to the investigation today, so after spuds drill we ran off a string on the gun - a pretty good one, with the exception of one shot - and played chess with Fully on the forecastle behind the anchor davit. Played chess from 1:15 to 4 again. It's a mighty fine game and has checkers beat a mile. Had a hail storm this afternoon, and without exaggerating at all, some of the hail stones were as large as walnuts. None that I saw were smaller than lima beans. Stoked from 4:15 to 5:45. It was a little stiff but I'll soon fall into it I guess. The dope was that we would scrub hammocks this afternoon, but again it wasn't straight. Spent the evening in the eyes again till about 10.

Monday, June 21, 1915

Slept in this morning until 6:30. Had regular spuds and gun drill this morning. My string wasn't as good as it might have been. Had another nav prob and lecture on charts - which we had to write up. Old Donavin sure has a good line to hand out. Made all arrangements to stoke with Lt. Zill(?). I guess he thot, "there goes another 40%", when I asked him. Doug showed me the first principles of chess this afternoon. I believe I'll like the game. Spent another pleasant evening in the eyes and turned in at 10.

Sunday, June 20, 1915

The sinners made us turn out at 5:30 this morning instead of 6. They even begrudge us that little half hour's sleep - but I got mine somewhere else. Went to church this morning. The theme of the short sermon was that part of the prayer which asks for the will to think what was right, and strength to do what is right - the argument, that we can become what we want, if we think right. It is a strange thing how a service, no matter how short it is or where it is held, changes the atmosphere of the place - it seems to rest one, and puts him more at ease. At least that is the way it affects me. There is liberty this afternoon, but I'm not going ashore. I don't spoon on making a liberty on a coal barge. Six of us bought a big cake from the captain's steward this afternoon. It was a three layer cake and was certainly fine.

Saturday, June 19, 1915

Turned out early, but we had little to do before breakfast. Uniform for quarters was white service, so we had to bear a hand and break it out for Captain's inspection. Had on one white glove and one yellow one - but I got away with it. Got liberty after lunch. At 12:30 we left the ship in a kicker which took us to the Standish, to which a lighter was lashed. After the liberty parties had all been taken aboard we started for Crabtown where we landed at 1:55 - Some trip. Mac, Frank, Red, Charley, Isish, Ole and myself had a feed at the Maryland grill. It was seven rounds of everything, repeated two or three times. We would have been fruit for an Armour agent. But that plank and those strawberries were to (sic) good to resist. Visited the plebes. One even faced the wall of the terrace. They look promising enuf - for plebes. The trip back in the Standish was awful. Most everybody got wet. I've never made such a liberty and never want to make another like it.

Friday, June 18, 1915

Had to turn out this morning at 5. As it was field day we didn't scrub with sand in the morning. Ran off a good string of dotter drill this morning. The second period we didn't have a doggoned thing to do. I skipped guard mount. We turned to at 1:15 with sand, kiyies and holy stones. It was good work - just the exercise made it worthwhile. We were thru by 3:30 then had to sit around until 4. Charley and I had an Indian wrestling bout - but when we had three final ones to wind up, I beat him. Twas lots of fun - and made the shower feel the better. This evening a big motor boat came near us and wanted us to heave them a line. We motioned and called to them to come alongside, but they lay off about 60 yards at least and yelled for a line. They didn't get it for two reasons - the line wasn't that long, and it couldn't have been thrown that far if it had been long enuf. After a time the cruiser left and made for Crabtown - in disgust I guess. And those people evidently believe they are really intelligent! It's a queer world after all. The dope today was that we would get liberty tomorrow. I hope it's straight.

Thursday, June17, 1915

My good intentions of turning out at 5 were no good anyway, for I slept in until nearly 6:30. After spuds drill we had battery drill. Ran off a few strings on #6 and then loafed the rest of the morning. Aired bedding again - I wish those mumps would disappear - vanish, in other words. Had a lecture and prob on pilot navigation. The lecture was interesting and gave us the impression that the prob. would be fruity - but when we started working on the prob that impression soon left us. I'm not going swimming today. Spent a pleasant hour in the eyes of the Ship tonight - Maggie's room is no more - for us. These youngsters 'boob' everything.

Wednesday, June 16, 1915

Slept in till 6:30 this morning tho I didn't rate it. Between inspections last night I read in the washroom. We shook to see who would take all our laundry down - Fully was the goat. Had fire quarters and collision drill this morning. We were to go on with the work we had yesterday in seamanship, but as I finished that then, Mac and Geok(?) and myself spent a very pleasant afternoon in the after fire room hatch. Had another shower this afternoon. Turned in about 8:30 with good intentions of turning out at 5.

Tuesday, June 15, 1915

Couldn't sleep in this morning. But I didn't do much work either. Everybody on the bridge was happy - we were thru with the signal detail at 8 A.M. - and were thankful for it. Spent an hour and a half fixing up the dotter gear. As soon as we would get one sight trued up, somebody would bang into the bar and 'jim' everything again. We finally got things fixed and ran off a good string - four hulls out of six, and two misses close. In seamanship we had to sketch the deck plans of the ship. The Lieut, Turner gave us the whole afternoon to do it in - I finished it in an hour. Fruit. Had another storm this afternoon. Our division was called out to house the quarterdeck awning - but before we had gone far, some far seeing officer looked a couple of miles thru the sheet of rain and saw where it ended - so we went in again. It didn't last long and wasn't nearly as interesting as the last one. Was corporal of the guard from 10-12 tonight.

Monday, June 14, 1915

Slept in this morning until 6:30. I didn't rate it, but I got away with it and wasn't a bit sorry. We beat the Ohio at drill this morning 28-26, according to the Wisconsin's way of figuring, 30-24 according to ours. The Ohio has runaway halliards, we use hand over had, so our only hope was in beating the Ohio was to read them before they could, and then bend on the flags faster than they did. But we got them. Our side lost only two hoists. Old Mac spent most of his spare time cussing out Tex, and then Tex started in on Mac - I had to add a few words to both to quiet them down. It was flag day today - but the only thing that we did was to air the bunting after the nor'wester of yesterday afternoon. Had a bad watch again, 4-6 and 8-10. Old Doc Watson - the Ensign - kept us busy with blinker and ardois. He thought he could beat me reading ardois, but he didn't know me then.

Sunday, June 13, 1915

Had to turn out again at 5. Just swabbed the gratings. In the morning Frank, Mac, and I caught a few in Maggie's room. Was on the bridge from 12 to 4. Had competition again in spite of the fact that it was Sunday. We led, the Ohio won. Dope had it that we were going to get ice cream, but we didn't - we had apple pie - and I got about 3/4 of a pie - it was great. Spent what time I had off writing letters home and bulling.

Saturday, June 12, 1915

Turned out at 5 - but did not scrub decks. Just loafed until breakfast. Yo(?) on the bridge at 8. Captain's inspection today. He told us we had the best ship in the squadron and that if we kept up our present standard we would have the best ship in the Atlantic fleet. It sure is hot on the bridge now. I'm getting Rhino; haven't had any mail since Tuesday. I wish I could stop eating so much - but I can't.

In the cutter race the Wisconsin won. In the dingy race the Ohio won. In both we came in an easy third. We didn't get ashore - even on Bay Ridge - tho we had dope to that effect. Had movies tonight but I was on the bridge and couldn't go.

Friday, June 11, 1915

Mapped the bridge gratings this morning after turning out at 5, and stayed on duty there until 8. Had spuds drill and dotter drill. We haven't go the sights fixed yet - or at least we haven't been able to get the two sights and the dotter gear to work together as they should.

Went on duty again from 12:30 to 4. We had to (serech?) the gratings - but Tex and I got to stay on the bridge to signal. Fruit! The Wisconsin is rotten on signals of all kinds.

Tomorrow the three ships have cutter and dingy races - about a mile course, from the BU to the BP. The dope is that we get ashore tomorrow - but I believe they're afraid to let us go ashore, afraid that we will let fall a few facts that might hurt if they became known.

Had to air bedding again today. I wish they would decide that we were free from mumps. On the bridge this evening Huscke and Post had a little fistic encounter - until we jumped in between as Chinese middlers. I'm sorry to say that I started the trouble inadvertently by laughing when Post came on our side of the bridge - he immediately took it for granted that Huscke said something about him - and a case analogous to flint and steel was quickly developed. It was good fun - since nothing serious came of it - but of course I shouldn't have done it.

Thursday, June 10, 1915

About 10:30 last night I awoke from an awful dream - and just as I awoke I heard one say "Sound the General alarm." I was awake at once and tumbled out. The bell rang before I hit the deck. There was a fire aboard. Everyone tumbled out as they had never tumbled before and went to his fire quarters. Our division had to fall in on the quarter deck and lead out a hose there. It was a sleepy, shivering bunch of 'mids' that was gathered in questioning groups about the deck. The fire was a little affair in a sailor on the boat deck and was soon put out - and we were soon turned in again too. Turned out again at 5 and scrubbed decks. At 8 o'clock I began a five days detail as signalman on the bridge. Mack, Headlee and Tex are in my crew. First we beat the port crew in a signal hoisting contest, then the two crews beat the Ohio in a similar contest. Yesterday the Ohio beat the Wisconsin - so I guess we are the Champion signalers.

A case of mumps was discovered on board, so we had to air bedding again today. I never knew mumps lurked in hammocks. It's funny how a man can find something when he looks real hard for it - there wouldn't have been any mumps on board if that squint eyed - and brown eyed - doctor hadn't scraped up a case from nowhere.

I was on the bridge again from 4 to 6 and from 8 to 10 this morning. We get semiphore and ardoc's I guess. - Yes we did.

There are no signs of leaving yet - but according to dope we get liberty Saturday. I hope so. The papers say that unless more evidence is produced, nothing can be done to the midshipmen under investigation.

Wednesday, June 9, 1915

Scrubbed decks again this morning at 5. We have had collision drill, man overboard drill -- which nearly became more than a drill when Herndon got a cramp -- and inspection for mumps besides the regular drills.

The meals have been fine today. It was bean day - but Navy beans are good. We also had fritters and apple sauce - which did much to put my sweet tooth in a good humor again.

Secretary Bryan resigned today. It seems to me that it is the best thing that he has done since he began is public life over twenty years ago - only he waited too long to do it. In my mind he is not only working on this question of international peace in a manner opposed by Wilson, but in a way too that is not yet - and I hope never will be - popular with the country at large. Peace is of course the natural and most desirable condition for a nation's prosperity to increase in - but it is one thing to live in a state of peace, created by a policy of fair dealing with other nations, and a demand that they deal fairly with us - a demand which should be met out of respect for us, ungrudgingly and even eagerly - and an entire different thing to exist under a peace that is indiscriminately threatened, and ignominiously prolonged by quiet acquiescence in an unpatriotic concurrence with those threats. Such a peace should not be tolerated - and it is almost certain that it will never be tolerated by the country at large. Our best course now is to follow the President faithfully - and if he sees fit to use war as a means to enforce our rights as a nation we must follow still and prove to him that our faith is still in him.

We aired our bedding this afternoon - but more because it was routine than that it was necessary. We had used our hammocks only three days - but we must have something to do!

Tuesday, June 8, 1915

Turned out at 5 this morning and scrubbed decks until a little after six. It was good exercise and it felt good, besides, to putter around the wet deck in my bare feet so I rather enjoyed it - once I was awake. The worst part about scrubbing decks is turning out in the morning.

Spuds drill was as near to hazing as I care to see it. I hope they don't have Davidson lead again soon.

Fitted the sights on the gun this morning but we have to bore-sight it before we can hold dotter drill. At seamanship drills we had to learn the signal flags and all about anchors and ground tackle - but as I know most of that I had a little 'fruit' and spent the time reading and bulling with a couple of 'gobbies'.

After drill we had collision drill, which, for our division was nothing at all but to stand on the quarter deck until "Secure."

There are still no indications that we leave soon - and the papers say we may be here a week or ten days. I wish they would hurry - I'm anxious to get out and get sick.

Sunset tonight was beautiful - the sun threw a broad golden ribbon on the quiet water extending from Annapolis half way to the ships. The golden lined, rose tinted, slate colored clouds warned us of the setting sun by slowly gathering in its brilliant rays until it settled to rest behind them. The Star Spangled banner played at colors just as the sun sank was a fitting close to the bright, clear, sun-crowned day which promised and foretold a star-spangled heaven for tonight.

Monday, June 7, 1915

We're not gone yet - and what is worse there aren't any indications that we will go until after tomorrow. We had a good "movie" show and band concert last night - followed by a good nights' sleep. At quarters we had 'spuds' drill and some double timing - the first exercise since we've come aboard. After that we were assigned to our guns. As luck would have it I hit a three inch gun. I would rather have had a 6" gun like last year - but this is another case of not getting what you want and making the best of what you get. I am pointer and have a good crew I believe - at least I believe we can make a good crew out of them.

This business of loafing around gets me nervous. There's hardly a thing to do yet - and every day we stay here is a day off the cruise.

Have listened to two hours of very instructive but also very dry gunnery safety precautions and elementary navigation. If the officer hadn't been where he could see me I would have been asleep. We're supposed to be honing Bowditch's 48 useful tables - but...

Went in swimming this afternoon for half an hour. The water was fine - just salty enuf to make me feel sticky. There are no signs yet of getting under way - this suspense is awful. We're to have more movies tonight, but as we have to turn out at 5 tomorrow morning I guess I'll turn in early. Had a good cork this afternoon for a couple of hours - until the deck got too hard to be comfortable.

Sunday, June 6, 1915

The pleasant sound of "up all hammocks" and reveille badly blown roused me out of a deep sleep in my new hammock. I didn't stir at first - habit again - and in a little word was passed that the 2nd division was to turn out. That of course didn't include the third so I rolled over, happily once more. We had to turn out about 15 minutes later to scrub decks, but there weren't enuf tools and the 2nd class went back in again.

Breakfast was pretty good - Navy beans, catsup, coffee, and canned cherries. We were supposed to leave this morning, but it is 5 o'clock (P.M.) and we haven't gone yet. The investigation isn't finished yet and I guess we can't go until it is. I wish they would hurry. We've been standing by all day under arms to receive the Admiral when he comes aboard - he doesn't seem to realize the inconvenience it's causing us, because he hasn't showed up yet.


The Filipino mess boys are a great improvement over the "mokes." The surprised us by being anxious to get things - something that had to be preceded by the jingle of a few jitneys before a moke would have moved. I wish I could remember our boy's name - but so far I can't even pronounce it.

The band gave us a pretty good concert this afternoon. I recognized nearly all of the pieces they played.

Saturday, June 5, 1915

Looked in at the June Ball for a little to see what it was like. The armory was more beautiful than last year - and the crowd was larger. Turned in at about eleven after packing box.

When reveille busted at 7:30 I crawled out - as per habit - with not a little reluctance but with more pep than those who hadn't turned in until after two the same morning. I was pleasantly surprised by the receipt of two pounds chocolates from friends in Crabtown. Four of us were sitting on the windowsill with our feet hanging down when Rodger came in. Something like the following ensued:
"What in the world are you doing out there, smoking?"
"No, Sir!"
"Singing?"
"No, Sir, we were eating candy."
"Well bring the candy in and get to your rooms."
And Rodger never stuck us on [report? - sd]!

I had four big things to carry to the dock - two full laundry bags, a full suit case, and my mattress - besides my reefer, two boxes of white service and two caps. It wasn't the kind of sport that men take a vacation for - but it was the beginning of the cruise so I didn't worry - or swear.

We started from the crowded dock with a 4-N yell for our "Mothers, sweethearts, friends" were we leaving behind us. On the way out it began to rain, but we got out a big canvas and when it saw that its efforts to drown us that way were futile it stopped. We managed to get all our stuff aboard and then proceeded to lash our hammocks and stow our lockers - a tedious job, and like most jobs that are tedious, one that had to be done. As soon as that was done the firstclassmen started to break out their "makes" Fats and pipes. It must be great to be a 1st classman. Supper was a poor affair, with no excuse tacked to the bad cucumbers and bad coffee - which was the biggest part of the meal.

Friday, June 4, 1915

Last night I turned in at 1:30 for five and a half hours of sleep. The German was a beautiful affair and the noise lasted until after one o'clock. For three hours before this the plebes received their final "attentions" in the form of cold showers, wet beds, and sore heads (not to mention other extremities).

I was on duty at the gate from eight to nine this morning - with nothing to do but salute with a "Very good, sir" and glance at the fair ones as they came by. I have another hour of the same tonight.

An hour before reveille the plebes were out putting the 1st classmen under the showers on their last morning as midshipmen. My plebe, Scheck, came into my room when they had finished, and such a wet, bedraggled cold and shivering human I haven't seen in a long time. He had evidently been in the shower as much as the firstclassmen - but I'll wager he enjoyed it more than they did.

In an hour and a quarter I'll be a full fledged second classman - half educated, and as green as a cucumber before the blossom has fallen off the end. But at any rate I'll take advantage of the prestige that the name endows me with, and try to grow into it.

The Log starts on June 4

The Log starts on June 4, 1915, so look for the first Log posts beginning on June 4.

1913 Army-Navy Football Game Songbook