Anecdote of Commodore Schley.

Otago Witness, Issue 2323, 8 September 1898, Page 61

Anecdote of Commodore Schley.

. How Commodore Schley got his first command is an amusing episqde in his early career. After leaving the Niagara he was promptly promoted to a lieutenancy, and assigned a« executive officer of one of the 90-day gunboats, ihe Owasco, of the Gulf squadron. Her commanding officer — his name is of no consequence and he is dead now — was a devotee of John Barleycorn, and periodically had to retire to his cabin for repairs, where he usually stayed a week. The Owasca was stationed off Mobile, and was one of a small squadron of which Captain James Aldnee of the Richmond was senior officer. One day a quartermaster of the Richmond reported to Captain Alden that the captain's gig of the Owasca was approaching-, and the captain's pennant flying. Supposing his visitor to be the captain of the Owasca, Aldcn put on his uniform coat, the side boys were ordered, and the boatswain's mate made ready for his throe pipes at the gangway. When the Owasca's gig came alongside the man who sprang iip the ladder was Lieutenant Schley. "I expected to see Captain of the O\rasca," said Alden, with slight sarcasm. " I am commander of the Owasca, sir,'" said Schley. " Since when? " said Alden. " An hour a;>o, sir," said Schley. " Where is Captain ? " "Locked up in his cabin, sir, drunk." " Who locked him iv? " asked Alden. " I did. I nvst put him under arrest and then shut him up in his cabin. Then I took command of the ship, and here I am to report for orders." Alden was fond of a joke, and he was at first disposed to laugh at the young man's sumnary action, but he said : " Well, the first order T'll give you is for you to lower that pennant in the gig, go back to your ship, sir, unlock that cabin door, and restore Captain to duty. Then report in writing if the captain's illness still incapacitates him, and I will know what to do. Don't be in too great a hurry to get command of a ship, Mr Schley ! "