THE NEW ENGINEER OF THE PRIZE STEAMER While enthusiastically pursuing his studies as an engineer, Christy had visited a great many steamers with Paul Vapoor for the purpose of examining the engines, so that he could hardly expect to find one with whose construction he was not familiar, whether it was an American or a foreign built machine.

At the first glance after he entered the engine room of the Havana, he knew the engine, and was ready to run it without spending any time in studying it.

He had brought the pilot with him in order to come to an understanding in regard to the bells, for in the navy the signals differ from those in the commercial marine.
"This steamer is provided with a gong and a jingling bell," said Christy, as he pointed them out to his companion.
"My little steamer on this coast was run with just such bells," replied Mr.Amblen.
"And so was the Bellevite, so that I am quite accustomed to the system of signals; but it is well to be sure that we understand each other perfectly if we expect to get this vessel out of the bay after we go up to the port," added Christy.
"I agree with you entirely, sir.

A single strong stroke on the gong is to start or to stop her according to the circumstances," said the pilot.
"Precisely so; and two strokes are to back her," continued Christy.
"Going at full speed, the jingler brings the engine down to half speed, or at half speed carries it up to full speed." "That is my understanding of the matter," replied Mr.Amblen.
"Then we understand each other to a charm," continued the temporary engineer.

"Report to Mr.Flint that we are ready to go ahead." Christy found a colored man who was on duty as an oiler, and four others in the fire room, who seemed to be engaged in an earnest discussion of the situation, for the capture of the Havana was a momentous event to all of them.