Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-15
NEW CLOTHES FOR THE NAVY.
The Fashions, Like Those of Women,
often Change.

From The NclU York Sun.
WASHINGTON, April S.-The expedi-
ton to Aspinwall seems to have drawn
attention away from a matter which
would ordinarily excite interest, namely,
the contemplated changes in navy tailor
ing. The board intrusted with the duty
of devisinga new uniform for the enlisted
men has made its report, and while Sec
rotary Whitney has not finally acted
upon it, so that notifications are posi-
bic, the system is yet SO far elaborated
that designs Of the proposed new garments
have been made and published.
These illustrations would indicate the
abandonment, or at least the modification
Of that time-honoreG cut Of trousers-eX-
tremely tight in the upper part and eX-
tremely loose in the lower, continuing to
lavish fitness around the ankles
which has markell Jack Tar for genera
tions not only in real life, but also and
especially in nautical dramas like "Blaek-
Eyed SUSAN In these cuts no one would
notice anything specially prOfuse and'
nautical in the termination Of the trousers
legs. Possibly in the figure representing
1.-The white duck uniform" there is an in
dicatlOn Of a fulness at that extremity
INV 'lAtibt Civ ltuis UAb III Tue Olilti i've HA-
ures of uniforms Of enlisted men and petty
officers the trousers look very much in
shape like those that might he Worn hy
soldiers or civilians. 1t must be said,
however, that az, in the accompanying
official description OF the uniforms, there
is no mention whatever of the width of
trousers g allowed or prescribed, per-
haps there will be less change, after all,
in this respect than the cuts indicate.
In the headwear there is certainly
change. Instead Of the familiar brimless
cap, one with brim is provided, looking
not unlike = soft hat sometimes worn by
civilians. This is the description:
"For the head a dress hat and a watch
cap are provided; the hat to be of cloth
and the cap Of woven wooden goods, both
dark navy blue in color. For
other enlisted men the crown of the cap
is to be made IN six sectors from double
thickness of cloth with a thickness of
india rubber tissue between, the whole to
be thoroughly stitched, and shaped with a
hot iron over a former. The hat will gem
orally be worn slightly on the back of the
head, the brim turned down in bright sun
light or rainy weather. A black silk hat
RIBBON VIII be worn around the base Of the
crown, lettering to the font.
"Fhe watch cap is to be c0nical, ten
inches long, with a hem two and a halt
Inches deep at the bottom. II is in shape
like the pointed end of a she'll or an old
fashioned nishtcap"
Other naval devices are to be found IN
the oyershirt, jumper and shirt. The pro-
posed new jumper for enlisted men is thus
described; "White cotton duck, to de-
scend from two to three inches below the
hip; collar and cuffs OF thin, dark navy
blue flannel Of the same pattern as tor the
blue OVershirt, and trimmed in the same
manner" 0vercOats, coats. jackets, waist
coats and undershirts are brought under
the scope Of the new uniform, while
badges and marks Of distinction are re-
yised, and even Improvements are recon-
mended in overalls, rain cloths, rubber
boots. towels and gloves.
Navy tailoring is matter which each
new Secretary is usually called upon 70
handle in some form. and Mr.. Whitney is
very promptly introduced to his fun share
of this important subj ct.