Hard living on board gunboat,— Drunken brawls, — Contrast in my life,— Riot and desertion from a gunboat, — Sent in chase of the fugitives, — Return without them, — The big nigger comes back of his own accord, — John, the cook, quarrels with his wife, — He jumps overboard, —Rescued with difficulty. — Wife sent on shore, — frigate goes to Jersey City, — Came near falling from the mast head. — Went ashore without liberty, — Came near being flogged, — Much flogging going on, — Pompous sailing master,— Flung Squadron purchased, — Am sent from steam frigate to Navy Yard, — Put aboard old Alert, — Filth and misery, — Miserable condition of sick and dying— Deplorable effects of whiskey, — Came near being stabbed by an Irish sentinel,— Ordered to join the Firefly, — Poor opinion of some U.
S. officers — Recruits daily coming on board the Alert,— History of Harris, — a cruise out of the yard, and difficulty in getting back, — Black cook confined for theft, — His feet frozen, — Our boat sunk,— Lucky escape, — Two young men cruelly whipped, — Become dissatisfied, and determine to desert, — Kind remonstrance of a friend, — Gave up the idea of deserting,— It returns again, — Made another attempt, — Was kindly admonished and gave it up, — Returned to the brig, — Made a warrant officer, — On board the Firefly.— Fleet ready for sea,— Sent to Algiers, — Story of John Cribbs. Many of them having returned from the various prison ships in Europe, and others were old discharged privateersmen; here and there might he found a good and respectable sailor.
No. 98, the gunboat to which I was attached, was in a very filthy condition, and among her crew were some of the Essex's 16 men, who were very quarrelsome and overbearing; supposing themselves to be entitled to more privileges than any of the others. The officers of the boat were also from among the Essex's 16. We often came short of our rations, especially of the fresh beef; one pound per diem was sent on board for each man and boy; but the officers in the cabin usually kept two or three women, besides company from the shore to dine. The cook was ordered to select the best pieces for the officers, and the remainder was given to the crew, which very often was quite insufficient; and for this, we had no remedy, as complaint was out of the question.
A plentiful supply of rum was brought on board, without any restraint whatever; consequently the crew were continually drunk, and very quarrelsome. The nights were hideous, both among officers and seamen. Scarcely a night passed without a fight. I selected a berth near the cabin bulk-head, and close up in a corner, and as soon as I had taken my supper, crawled into it, to get out of the din. Among the men in the hold were several bad women, who usually mingled in the fights, of which they were often the cause, and scarcely ever were without a pair of splendid black eyes. Many a night have I lain in my snug hiding place, and looked out on the drunken tumult before me, and how bitterly did I lament the course I had taken, in entering the navy, as in all probability this was only a specimen of my two years life on board a man-ofwar.
This sudden transition from a civilized life to a residence among brutes, was overwhelming to my feelings. I found that 1 had an important lesson before me, and that the earlier it was learned, the better, viz: to make the best of everything, and as the old adage says, "there is no use in crying for spilt milk; " mistakes that have already happened, cannot be prevented, although they may sometimes be rectified. The mistakes and follies of the past may teach us to be more cautious for the future; but thev should never be allowed to paralyze our energies, or surrender us to weak repining. " I knew that I should not remain long on board a gun boat; my habits were good; I used no intoxicating drinks; never had played a game of cards, nor was I ever found in bad company; and 1 had another cheering thought, which was, that 1 might be promoted to the rank of carpenter, as 1 was now only carpenter's mate, and was resolved to do my duty faithfully, and leave the rest with Grod.