noon
The ship 's company had already been mustered on deck . They were dressed in their best uniforms , and they were a fine-looking set of men . They had all heard of Lieutenant Passford , and they were proud and happy to serve under his command . Promptly at noon , as the church bells on shore were striking the hour , Commander Passford mounted a dais , and his commission was read to the ship 's company . He then made a short speech suited to the occasion , and ordered the colors to be run up to the peak . The ship was then in commission , and she was to sail on the tide the next day . The subordinate officers and seamen then gave three cheers , in which every person seemed to put his whole heart .