Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/78

52 smooth. Apparently no notice was taken [of] us, but when the dawn came, flags were shown and thus we parted company. The only audible words which came from Comdr McDonough were "by zounds" (a favorite expression of his) "this must not happen again. We must be prepared for such events." Orders followed that on the discovery of any vessel at night the drum was to be beat to quarters, and for the following six months we seldom passed a night without going to Quarters, and sometimes twice. With this practice, we became very alert and the divisions were reported in time to satisfy our commander. Not infrequently, from the 1st tap of the Drum to the retreat, the Ship was prepared and all ready for action in 50 seconds, but still it kept up and the Mids, who had to lash up their Hammocks and get them on deck to stow, were a great deal annoyed and provoked. Some resorted to rolling them up and stowing them in their lockers, and others refused to occupy them. It was a great hardship for both men and officers, and, as we thought continued too long, more allied to a punishment on the crew & ourselves for no fault on our part than for any carrying but the regulations. I think, however, the Lieutenants, deck officers, frequently used this means of annoying the Commander under his general order, & obstinacy on his part, refused to rescind or limit it.

At Cowes the Ship was much frequented by officers & men who seemed desirous of gratifying their curiosity by inspecting the American frigate who had celebrated the Naval victories over them. The Guerrier, though by no means a Model ship, was equipped well for a fighting one and as such did credit to our country. Lieut Joseph Smith (now Admiral) was our first Lieut. He was very youthful looking, beardless, though in person & dress showed more years. His character was that of a good Seaman, but had no reputation as an officer or disciplinarian, and was believed to be able to handle the ship in proper style. In entering the roads of Medina we had a most farcical occurence. The tide is very strong in these Straits. We had a pilot on board, but Jos Smith was the officer in charge and all hands at their stations for working Ship. On the frigate sped, a number of vessels were at anchor in the Roads and between the Comdr, the Pilot & Jos Smith there seemed to be a misunderstanding of what was to be done or what berth to choose. On we speeded, and it was perceived that we must come in contact with a British Bark, perhaps run her down, but this was happily avoided and the results was in tearing almost all the Mast and Yards out of her, the Captain standing on his quarter deck uttering the most abusive expressions: "A pretty d—n Yankee frigate, &c, &c." Jos Smith threw his trumpet down in rare vexation and went forward but had no sooner reached there than a peremptory order was sent him to return, which he did and was made to feel the impropriety of his conduct. After we Anchored Comdr McDonough ordered a boat with an officer to be sent to the Bark telling him he regretted the accident and had he not been so fouled mouthed in his abuse, he would have forthwith repaired all his damages, but it would not now be done. The Capn was very sorry but he did not deny the untoward abuse & suffered considerably for his