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Show A MYTH SHATTERED. Another flattering myth of our naval service has been destroyed. When the Maine was blown up, an orderly rushed , to Captain Sigsboe, and, according to some reports published at the time, saluted sa-luted and said: "I have the honor to report, sir,- that the 6hip has been blown up and is sinking." : The story made an instant hit, and ;had long been considered authentic. All of us were stirrod by it because it seemed to show that in the face even of the gravest dangers the American seaman could maintain his presence of mind, his discipline and his courtesy, as well as his courage. But it was meroly a brilliant myth, probably evolved from tho imagination of a newspaper correspondent. Captain Sigsbee, now a rear admiral, spoaking at the Maino annivorsary celebration in New York, declared that his ordorty had said simpby: "Tho ship has boon blown up and is sinking." Ho did not say, "I have the honor to report"; ho did not even remember tho word required re-quired by discipline, forgetting to say "Sir," and he did not salute. Some may regret that tho original story is not true. It was a fine story, and would have thrilled its way through American history and given many an American schoolboy a splendid moment of patriotism. Yet no one will think the less of tho orderly. He did not say, "I have the honor to report," but he made the report in tho face of death. He, did not say "Sir," but he did his duty. It may readily bo believed that there was no time for flourishes. An- delay in making the report might have cost other lives besides those sacrificed In that great catastrophe. Perhaps the orderly or-derly by neglecting formalities was a life-saver. |