Schley and Santiago; an historical account of the blockade and final destruction of the Spanish fleet under command of Admiral Pasquale Cervera, July 3, 1898

Front matter

M

*9

Copyright, 1S08, by B^ J. Falk, Waldorf-Astoria. New York.

Preface

THE publishers present this book to the public as the first accurate, detailed account of the cruise of the Flying Squadron, the blockade of Santiago Harbor, and the destruction of Cervera's fleet, written by an unprejudiced non-combatant. The major portion of the book is written by Mr. George Edward Graham, war correspondent of the Associated Press, who was aboard the Brooklyn, Commodore Schley's flagship, during the entire five months of the Spanish-American War, when that vessel was flying the broad pennant of Commodore Schley. It has been thought fit to include in the narrative Commodore Schley's own story of the fight, told by him in detail since its occurrence, and after his promotion to the rank of Rear-Admiral. The book has the absolute and unqualified endorsement of Rear- Admiral Schley, and is the only volume of its kind so endorsed. Mr. Graham was especially qualified for the writing of this work by reason of the fact that for fifteen years he has been a close and trained observer of great public events. His special duty aboard the Brooklyn was to correctly observe and report the operations of the fleet for the Associated Press, and during the important movements including the battle of July 3d, he was in a better position, and was better qualified, to absolutely correctly observe all of the stirring events than was any other man on any of the vessels. For, naturally, every naval officer engaged in action was particularly busy with the special duties required of him, while Mr. Graham's only duty was to record the events, which he did not only on paper but with the aid of a camera. The majority of the remarkable

22 PREFACE

pictures in this boolc are from films taken by Mr. Graham, many of them during action, and they are here published as a whole for the first time.

The following letters from Rear- Admiral Schley and Captain Francis A. Cook, of the Brooklyn, are tributes to Mr. Graham which aid in stamping him as the real historian of the Naval manoeuvres off Santiago:

( Personal) North Atlantic Fleet, Second Squadron. U. S. Flagship Brooklyn, Guantanamo Bay,

Cuba, July 6, 1898.

My Dear Graham : I feel that I should not let this opportunity pass without expressing to you my high regard for your courage and grit on the occasion of the destruction of the Spanish squadron, near Santiago de Cuba, on July 3. 1898.

You had facilities for observing and correctly recording the account of the action possessed by no other correspondent, being at all times in the forefront of the fight, and 1 should place great confidence in your report.

During the whole of the action, coolly watching the operations and fearlessly exposing yourself to the enemy's fire, you carefully observed the manoeuvres of the vessels with a devotion to your duty that was in every way worthy of a Forbes or a McGahan.

Hoping for your continued and unvaried success, believe me,

Very sincerely yours,

W. S. SCHLEY.

Commodore U. S. Navy.

George Edward Graham, Esq., Flagship Brooklyn.

U. S. F. S. Brooklyn, First Rate, Guantanamo, Cuba, July 5, 1898.

My Dear Graham : As you may soon leave us, I desire to congratulate you upon your courageous performance of duty during the action with the Spanish fleet under Admiral Cervera, off Santiago de Cuba, on the 3d inst. You were either under my personal observation.or of the officers on deck, all of whom testify to your pluck and good work.

You remained in the open during the entire action, at the best point of vantage to observe the enemy and our fleet, coolly taking notes and thus contributing most valuable and reliable information to history and for instruction of future generations.

Yours was a devotion to duty, under heavy fire, with no other incentive than to serve the best interests of the trust imposed upon you.

With best wishes for your future, and most pleasant impress from an association on

board, I am cordially yours,

F. A. COOK.

Captain, U. S. Navy, Commanding.

Mr. George E. Graham.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Winfield Scott Schley I

Dedication Page 11

Tlie Broolclyn's Junior Officers Ill

Individual Heroes of the Fleet IV

Captain Francis A. Cook V

" The squadron will proceed to sea " VI

" They will never go home "... VII

" The Brooklyn took coal from the Merrimac " VIII

" It was novel to coal two ships " IX

" Schley, Cook and Philip held a conference " X

" These men helped to prepare the Merrimac " XI

" I determined to develop their defenses " XII

"We moved in two columns" XIII

" A shell accidentally hit the lighthouse " XIV

" The marines were in exposed positions " XV

" We watched the Texas silence the battery " XVI

" They are all out and coming to the west " XVI I

" The crew was at muster " XVIII

" A big shell came in the gun deck " XIX

" The Oregon was coming to help the Brooklyn " XX

" The Brooklyn and Oregon were bow and quarter" XXI

24 ILL US TRA TIONS

" Don't throw that body overboard " XXII

" The flag was almost shot away " XXIII

"The Colon had obtained a good lead" XXIV

" We've only one more to get" XXV

" Those are the fellows who saved the day " XXVI

"Three cheers for Commodore Schley " XXVII

"You bullies won the fight" XXVIII

" There was a hurricane of cheers " XXIX

Captain Charles E. Clark XXX

The Commander-in-Chief and Two Captains XXXI

" Admiral Cervera and his son were rescued" XXXII

" Schley went over to see Sampson " XXXIII

" There was a ragged hole in the Viscaya's bow " XXXIV

" The Viscaya had been raked by the Oregon " XXXV

"The Oquendo's steel plates were bulging apart " XXXVI

"The Teresa had a terrible baptism of fire " XXXVII

"The Colon turned over in the surf" XXXVIII

The Spanish Officers XXXIX

Gifts Presented to Admiral Schley XL

Brooklyn Apprentices XLI

Admiral George Dewey XLI I

Brooklyn Fire Room XLIII

Captain Murphy and Marines XLIV

Brooklyn Coming Head On XLV

A Recent Portrait of Rear- Admiral Schley. XLVI

Divine Service on Battleship Texas XLVI I

Cook, Hodgson and Mason XLVIII

ILL US TRA TIONS 27

Commodore Schley in His Cabin XLIX

Night Scene During the Blockade L

Captain and Officers of the Brooklyn LI

The New York LII

The Iowa Lni

The Viscaya LIV

The Infanta Maria Teresa LV

The Indiana LVI

The Oregon , LVII

The Porter LVI II

The Ericsson LIX

The Cushing LX •

The Texas LXI

The Massachusetts LXII

The Minneapolis LXIII

The Katahdin LXIV

The Vesuvius LXV

The Newark ... LXVI

The Miantonomah LXVIl

The Cincinnati LXVIII

The Marblehead LXIX

The Yale LXX

The St. Paul LXXl

The Harvard LXXII

The Squadron at Anchor in Hampton Roads LXXIII

The Squadron Leaving Hampton Roads LXXIV

The Brooklyn In Dry Dock LXXV

28 ILLUSTRATIONS

Eight-inch Rifle Practice LXXVI

Six-inch Gun and Crew LXXVII

Six-inch Breech-loading Rifle LXXVIll

Rapid-fire Ammunition LXXIX

Eight-inch Gun Deck LXXX

Captain Francis A. Cook. (v)

Chapter I Taking Command

P'TANDING on the government dock at Newport News a pleasant >^J morning, the 28th of March, 1 898, with half-closed eyes one might have imagined, looking over the shimmer of blue water, that it was the days of '60; that just above, in the broad expanse of water lay the American fleet with old-fashioned woodwork, high masts, and masses of rigging. And just below, a uniquely constructed, original ironclad, the Merrimac, getting up steam and preparing itself for battle with this unprotected fleet, about in the same nonchalant manner as would a fox in a barnyard, undisturbed, select his prey. And then, up from the vicinity of Old Point Comfort there comes a little steel "cheese box," the Monitor, its deck so low in the water as to allow the light waves to almost rush over it, but with a single formidable-looking gun pointing from its steel turret, and the American flag flying proudly from a staff on its after-deck. Those on the Merrimac see it, and in answer to the defiant wave of the red, white, and blue, there goes up the Confederate flag, the success of which means the division of the Union. Expectantly you wait for the terrible sea duel which ended in the defeat of the Merrimac and the salvation of the Federal fleet, but just then you open your eyes as there strides down the dock by you a lithe, active figure that in every motion of the body seems to indicate one born to command. It is Winfield Scott Schley, of the United States Navy, carrying in his pocket his newly-dated commission as Commodore, and his orders to take command of the freshly-organized Flymg Squadron, which, if war is to be declared between Spain and the United States, will hunt for the enemy's fleets at sea.

This is the same man who eight years before conveyed to his native Sweden the remains of the great Ericsson, the inventor of the first steel vessel, that in this very harbor had saved the Federal shipping to the glory of the Federal flag.

PUTTING ON THE WAR PAINT

He stepped briskly down the walk, and to one of the young officers near him, he said, "Send word to Captain Cook that 1 wish to raise my flag very quietly. I don't want any display." In the offing lay the cruiser Brooklyn, the first-class battleship Massachusetts, and the second-class battleship Texas, and a very curious picture they presented. From the beautiful pure white, with buff trimmings, that marks the ships of the American Navy in times of peace, hundreds of men swarming like monkeys at their sides and over their superstructures, paint brushes in hand, were transforming them into sullen, gray monsters, absolutely devoid of beauty, but clothed in this Quaker hue for the purpose of making them less conspicuous to an enemy's gunners.

"That's supposed to be atmosphere they are painting those ships," said the Commodore, with a little laugh, as he waited for the barge to be sent to him. And then, pointing out to the ships, he said, "I'll take two more like those fellows and lick anything Spain can provide."

A NOTABLE GROUP

With him on the pier stood Lieutenant James H. Sears, his flag lieutenant, who was to be very conspicuous throughout the future events, and whose solid advice and thorough wisdom were invaluable during the campaign. Lieutenant Benjamin W. Wells, flag secretary, was another of the group, and they, together with Lieutenant McCrea, navigator of the Brooklyn, composed the escort from the flagship. It must be remembered that at this time war had not been declared, although the terrible happening in Havana harbor had made it almost impossible to believe that any other action could be taken by the United States government than that of driving the Spanish from the Western Continent.

WAR DAILY EXPECTED

Assignments like this of Commodore Schley had been made daily, in absolute expectation of war, and in the shipyard just above the dock on which he stood that day. thousands of men were engaged in preparing and building ships for the conflict which was bound to ensue. At Havana a board of officers had sat in consultation, and in examination of witnesses to determine as to whether the Maine had been destroyed by Spanish treachery or by American carelessness. On the 25th of March they had transmitted their report that the Maine had been sunk by an explosion from the outside, although they would not attribute this explosion to any hostile act of the government of Spain.

RAISING THE COMMODORE'S FLAG

Everywhere the people were clamoring for war. Fifty million dollars had been voted by Congress for national defense ; officers had been hurried to important stations ; government officials were scouring the world for ships, ammunition, and coal ; and everything indicated war, except the attitude of President William McKinley. Even at the moment that Schley was raising his flag as commander of the Flying Squadron, the President was still hoping for peace and for some amicable settlement of the difficulty, and every effort was being made to induce the Spanish government to withdraw peaceably from the island of Cuba.

This was the situation on this beautiful morning in March, when, at eleven o'clock, eight sturdy oarsmen pulled the Commodore's barge of the Brooklyn alongside of that gallant ship, with Commodore Schley in the stern sheets. As nimbly as a boy of twenty, this man of nearly sixty ran up the companion-way to the deck, where Captain Francis A. Cook and Lieutenant-Commander Newton E. Mason received him aboard. In a few minutes the usual salute was fired, and up to the top of the masthead went the little blue Commodore's flag, which denoted the Brooklyn as the flagship of the Flying Squadron, and which remained at the masthead unsullied until it was taken down to replace it with the Rear-Admiral's flag in New York harbor six months later.

THE FLYING SQUADRON

The squadron at this time consisted only of three ships: the Brooklyn, the Texas, and the Massachusetts ; but notification had been sent that the Minneapolis and the Columbia, two fast cruisers, would join the fleet later on.

While the Commodore took possession of his flagship, true to his

orders not to have any of the prevailing work stopped, the slapping of

paint brushes went on, and by nightfall all three ships were clad in a

somber grayness that at any distance, unless with a bright sunshine

upon them, made them almost a part of the atmosphere, or at night, of

the darkness.

AUTHOR ONE OF THE SHIP'S COMPANY

I had been assigned by the Associated Press, which had received permission from Secretary of the Navy John D. Long, to accompany the Flying Squadron, provided the acquiescence of Commodore Schley was obtained, and that room could be found for my accommodation aboard one of the vessels. The detachment of Navigating-Officer McCrea a few days after Commodore Schley took command, and the fact that there was no chaplain aboard the Brooklyn, fortunately secured a place for me aboard the flagship, and I was made at once a member k

I s of the ward room mess, with the requirement, however, that I would stay ashore at one of the hotels until orders were received to put to sea, so as not to excite the attention of the horde of special newspaper men who were applying for permission to go with the squadron.

THE AUTHOR'S FIRST MEETING WITH COMMODORE SCHLEY

1 recollect with great distinctness my first conversation with the Commodore on the subject of my presence aboard. I presented my credentials, including a personal letter from a dear friend of his in Washington, Colonel Charles A. Boynton, and I must admit, with a great deal of fear and trepidation, because, while for fifteen years I had associated with public men of all classes, I had been given to understand that the higher officers of the Navy were martinets of the worst kind. Summer sun never dispelled morning fog more quickly than Schley's smile and handshake dispelled that illusion. He questioned me closely about my former newspaper connections, dwelling particularly upon such points as would indicate to him whether I was to be trusted or not with matters not for publication. One of his first remarks to me was, "If you go along with me you will hear a great many more things that you must not write or talk about than you will things that you can make public." 1 told him that 1 thought my political training made me understand that thoroughly, and that I was perfectly willing at any time to submit my copy to his censorship.

SCHLEY'S MAGNETIC PERSONALITY

His next remark to me was, "Can you fight?" I ventured that I hadn't very much experience in that line, and he said, rather severely, but with just a twinkle in his eye that gave me some encouragement, "We don't allow any loafers aboard a man-of-war, and if a lot of the men on this ship are killed during a combat, you'll have to help take their places." Then turning to Lieutenant Sears, who stood near him, he said, "Sears, if this young man comes aboard put him at work with a six-pounder-gun crew. He'll be handy." I saw no particular reason for Sears' smile or Lieutenant Wells' broad grin, for at that time I considered it a very serious matter. But at one thing I was thoroughly delighted, as is every other man who has met this fighter of such magnetic personality. He had impressed me, and yet not suppressed me.

SCHLEY A QUICK, BRAVE COMMANDER

He had made me feel that he was a quick, brave, energetic commander, and in the same breath that he had a warm heart, and despite his rank would make himself not only the commander, but the personal, approachable friend of those beneath him.

And so as the days passed by, I, together with every man the Commodore came in contact with during these straining days of waiting, during the exciting hunt for Cervera's fleet, during the terrible hours of bombardment and battle, grew to love him with that love which men ofttimes feel for each other and which develops 'into lifelong, personal

attachment.

WAS LOYAL TO HIS COUNTRY IN i860

And what of this man who sat in his cabin on the Brooklyn, giving decisive and quick commands on the one hand, and giving pleasant, encouraging words on the other? Was he hunting for a hero's spurs, or seeking to make an original record? No; his record v/as already made in the annals of the American Navy. When but twenty-two and a midshipman in the Navy, he was called into the cabin of the Niagara in 1860, by Captain McKean, and told that war had been declared between the North and the South. Together with the other officers aboard, Schley was asked by the captain if he would sign the papers to stand by the old flag, and as will be demonstrated later, he signed.

It was this same Schley who, on board the U. S. Owasca, captured the first prize of the Civil War, and later displayed, in a very

laughable manner, his ambition to command. Captain T , of the

Owasca, while a splendid fighter and otherwise good officer, was sadly addicted to drink. The gunboat was lying under Fort Morgan, and

each morning T , who, during the night had accumulated a great

deal of liquor-made bravery, would order the gunboat run in to fire a few shots at the Fort. The demonstration was invariably accompanied by little damage to the forts, but loss of life and a good deal of damage to

the gunboat.

ARRESTS CAPTAIN OF SHIP

Schley overheard the men m the ship complaining of this, and in an instant made up his mind to stop it. While he was thinking it over, Captain T came on deck and said, "Lieutenant, make ready to

run in."

Quick as a flash came the evidently mutinous reply, "I'll be d — d if 1 will. It doesn't do any good, and I'm not going to sacrifice life for nothing."

"Afraid, are you?" sneered T . "Well, we'll go in just the

same, and you'll be court-martialed."

"No, you won't go in," answered Schley. Then, quickly, "Orderly, send the surgeon here."

The surgeon came, and the smooth-faced lieutenant said, "I want to know the condition of Captain T , sir."

A brief examination, and the surgeon said, "He is intoxicated, sir."

"A file of marines ! " called Schley. "Lock Captain T in his

cabin!"

REPORTS ARREST OF HIS OWN CAPTAIN

The Owasca was part of a small squadron commanded by Captain James Alden, of the Richmond. The day of this episode the quartermaster of the Richmond reported that a gig from the Owasca flying the captain's pennant was approaching. Supposing it to be the captain of the Owasca, Alden put on his full uniform coat, dressed the side, and the b'swain's mate made ready for his three pipes at the gangway.

When the gig came alongside, Lieutenant Schley sprang up the ladder and boarded the Richmond.

"1 expected to see Captain T , of the Owasca," said Alden,

with perceptible sarcasm.

"I am the commander of the Owasca, sir," said Schley.

"Since when?" asked Alden.

"An hour ago, sir," replied Schley.

"Where is Captain T ?"

"Locked up in his cabin, sir, drunk."

"Who locked him up?" said Alden.

"I did. I first put him under arrest, and then shut him up in his

cabin. Then 1 took command of the ship, and here 1 am to report for

orders."

CAPTAIN ALDEN'S JOKE

Alden was fond of a joke, and he was at first disposed to laugh at the young officer's summary action, but quietly said:

"Well, the first order I give to you now is to lower that pennant in the gig. Go back to your ship, sir, unlock that cabin door, and restore

Captain T to duty. Then report to me if the captain's illness

still continues, and I will take action. Don't be in too great a hurry to take command of a ship, Mr. Schley."

HIS SPLENDID RECORD IN CIVIL WAR

Through the Civil War, Schley served with a splendid record, but during its continuance found time to return to Annapolis and marry Miss Nanny Franklin, the handsome and attractive daughter of a prosperous

^j^frt

'•''They luill ne"oer go home" (vii)

merchant there. But even his marriage could not keep him ashore if there were active duties at sea to be performed, and in his desire to make a record for himself in his chosen profession his v/ife encouraged him.

In cruising service, soon after the Civil War, he subdued 400 riotous Chinamen on one of the Chincha islands; some time later, in order to protect American interests which had become imperiled by an insurrection, he landed a force of marines at LaUnion, San Salvador, and took possession of the Custom House.

In 1871 he landed a body of marines at Corea and attacked about six times as many natives as he had men, but thrashed them very soundly. In 1 876 he went to the West African coast where pirates were menacing American commerce, and caught and punished a great many of them severely.

PLACED IN COMMAND OF GREELY RELIEF EXPEDITION

In 1 884 the Navy Department issued a call for officers to volunteer for an expedition to rescue Lieutenant A. W. Greely, who, while making explorations in the Arctic seas, had become lost. The call had hardly been made public before Schley was in the Department, volunteering his services. He was placed in command of the expedition with three ships: the Thetis, the Bear, and the Alert. He has himself written very graphically the description of this hazardous voyage. One incident in it is worth relating: The morning of one day found the fleet up against an ice pack, reaching almost as far as the eye could see and making a seemingly solid obstruction to the ships. Up in the crow's nest of the Thetis, the place occupied usually by a common sailor employed as a lookout, was Captain Schley. The thermometer was many degrees below zero and the wind blowing great gusts, which made it decidedly unpleasant even for the men on deck. His officers begged him to come down, but he remained there, taking a cup of hot coffee occasionally to help keep out the numbing cold.

RESCUES GREELY AND HIS COMRADES

Experienced Arctic navigators aboard told him that he would not be able to get through the pack; in other words, that they might as well abandon the expedition. But toward afternoon of that day, he called to his deck officer, "There is a rift in the pack, and we are going through." His officers tried to dissuade him from it, saying they would get caught and nipped, but he replied, "Gentlemen, there are times when it is a necessity and a duty to take risks. This is one of those occasions." The ships got through the pack; Greely and his comrades were found in a dying condition which forty-eight hours more would have ended in death, and were rescued and brought to the United States by this intrepid commander.

CONVEYED REMAINS OF ERICSSON TO SWEDEN

In 1890 Schley was detailed to convey the remains of Ericsson, the inventor of the Monitor, to his native Sweden; and in the following year he was ordered to Valparaiso, Chili, where civil war was in progress. The United States Minister Eagan had taken such action as had made the residents consider that the Americans were opposed to them and the intense feeling finally culminated in bloodshed, when two sailors of the Baltimore were killed by a mob in the street one night. It was here that Schley demonstrated his extraordinary diplomacy, for, after investigating the matter, he would certainly have been justified in bombarding the town. The men had gone ashore with the full assurance of the Intendata that they would be protected. Schley was surprised at night by the sudden visit of a friendly merchantman captain and several natives, wlio assured him in an excited way that his men were icilled, and that his duty was to bombard the town.

HIS PROMPT ACTION IN CHILI

"Not much," answered Schley. "I will think matters over and will investigate," and after sending Lieutenant Sears and his squad of marines ashore to look into the matter and bring the bodies off, he went to bed. In the meantime. Sears and his marines were taken and locked up. Next morning, after making inquiry himself, Schley paid a visit to the Intendata, an old man, over eighty years of age, who received him with fear and trembling, and asked him to be seated.

"No," said Schley, "this is not a sitting matter. I want my men released at once, and put back on ship."

"You'll have to see the judge," said the Intendata.

"No, 1 won't," roared Schley, while the old man crept into the corner. "You order those men released, or you'll have trouble. And further than that, you'll pay indemnity for the two men who were killed last night, or I'll blow the tops off your buildings." Then he stalked down to his barge, went aboard his ship, the Baltimore, requested the German man-of-war and the English man-of-war, which were on either side of him, to change their anchorage, and prepared to carry out his word.

But in a very short time the Intendata sent word that the men were on their way to the ship, and that the Chilian government would take care of the indemnity.

ZXf4^*i

Chapter II Man And Hero

WITHIN sight of the National Capitol, and in the town that gave to America Francis Scott Key, the author of the "Star Spangled Banner," Winfield Scott Schley was bom in 1839. The old Schley farm of "Richfield," an estate of some three hundred acres, lying about four miles north of Frederick City on the Emmitsburg 'pike, was the home of his father and mother, John T. Schley and Virginia Schley, and here were entertained many of the most prominent men and women of the South. A grandson of John Schley— a Bavarian who in the latter part of the eighteenth century came to this country and settled in the then small town of Frederick, Maryland— John Thomas Schley was a prominent figure in that state, and the charms of his wife, who had been Miss Virginia McCIure, brought many friends from her native city of Baltimore.

HIS BOYHOOD DAYS

Among those who enjoyed the hospitality of the Schley homestead came doughty old General Winfield Scott, the grizzled veteran hero of the Mexican War, and it was in honor of the friendship which existed between the two men that the baby boy was christened with the name which has now grown so beloved and so famous throughout the country, Winfield Scott Schley.

During his early boyhood, Winfield Scott Schley and his four brothers and sisters lived at the old home, and attended the adjacent school.

During this time there were no startling events to recall, no wonderful characteristics that marked the boy as a future moulder of events and a man of deeds. His life ran along as smoothly as does that of any healthy, happy, normal American boy, until, when he was nine years of age, its even tenor was sadly interrupted by the death of his mother. Shortly after, the family moved into Frederick City, and here the youth became a student at St. John's Institute, until three years later, when he secured an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis.

MEETS THE FUTURE MRS. SCHLEY

It was during his course of study at the academy that Schley met his future wife, Miss Nanny Franklin, the attractive, accomplished daughter of a prosperous merchant of Annapolis, to whom he was married in 1863, three years after he had been graduated.

The first commission given the young midshipman upon his leaving his alma mater, was aboard the U. S. S. Niagara, and on this voyage occurred an incident which I have often heard him recount with glee, as an example of boyish nonsense and mischief.

AN INCIDENT ON BOARD SHIP

The Niagara had been ordered to proceed to Japan to convey to their home the members of the Japanese Embassy. It was a long, tedious trip around the Cape, and diversions were few, so, when the ship lay too off the African coast and venders of monkeys, parrots, and all sorts of tropical pets came aboard, they were heartily welcomed. A few members of the embassy were greatly delighted with some particularly uncanny specimens of the Genus Cercepitheci, and accordingly several were transferred to the ships. Ordinarily monkeys, and particularly the marmosets, are huge favorites with the sailor, but these were extremely unpopular. Owing to matters diplomatic at that period, it was considered advisable to liumor and please the Japanese in every possible way, and so Captain McKean and his officers made no open objection, but deep and earnest were the anathemas hurled at the simians in private. Having the entire run of the ship, no object was too remote, no mast too high, no belonging too personal, to escape the ravages of the monkeys. Sailors and junior officers were particularly incensed against them, and one morning, when their misdeeds had been especially flagrant, justice was meted out to them. Choosing a time when none of the embassy or officers were about, Midshipman Schley ordered the sailors to catch and bring to him two of the very largest and most aggressive ringtails, and at the same time called for a bucket of slush from the galley. Carefully and thoroughly each monkey's tail was greased, and then, with a shout, they were released and fled, chattering madly, to the topmost mast, from which they launched out with a leap to the lower studding sail which hung out far over the water, thirty feet from the deck. But the trusted flexile tails failed them, and slipping from cords, clutching and shrieking, the two monkeys fell into the China sea, while the ship speeded on. Alarmed by the cries of their pets, the members of the embassy hurried on deck, but from that time on the ship was relieved of its pestiferous rangers, the rest of them being safely confined.