1:30
But when the gig returned , bringing the skipper from the flagship , we learned that we were to get under way right after dinner , and steam to the westward . After `` turn to '' was sounded at 1:15 o'clock , we noted a long string of signal flags flying from the signal yard , which we found requested permission from the flagship to proceed at once . As the affirmative pennant on the `` New York '' slowly rose to its place on the foremast , the `` Yankee 's '' jingle bell sounded , and the ship began to gather headway . At `` afternoon quarters '' -- 1:30 -- a drill , new to us , was taught ; called by the officers `` physical drill , '' and by the men `` rubber-necking . '' We hardly felt the need of exercise . The swinging of a swab and use of sand and canvas , to say nothing of `` scrub and wash clothes '' before breakfast , seemed to us sufficient work to keep our muscles in good condition ; but it is one of the axioms in the navy that `` Satan finds some mischief still for idle hands to do , '' so the men were soon lined up -- sufficient space being given each man to allow him to swing his arms , windmill fashion , without interfering with his neighbor . A regular calisthenic exercise was gone through , such as may be seen in gymnasiums all over the country ; but instead of a steady , even floor , upon which it would be quite easy to stand tiptoe , on one foot , or crouched with bended knees , it was quite a different matter to do these `` stunts '' on the constantly rolling deck .