Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-20

OF MODERN GUN-NAKING WHAT COMMO-
DoRE scHLEY THINKS OUGHT TO BE DONE.
When Commodore Schley became chief of
the bureau Of equipment and recruiting, alter
his return from the Greedy relief expedition, he
turned his attention to promoting the eff
cheney of the navy. His first step was to secure
the establishment of training school tor
sailors which would afford practical educa-
tionai advantages to such sailors as would i'm
prove themselves, and secure a corps Of men in
the service who would have practical kuowl-
edge OF modern men-of-war and their guns. The
new steel cruisers, nearly completed and their
improved guns mark q turning point in the
career OF the navy, and from now on it Is ex-
pected that it will steadily improve in its ships
and their defenses. The sailors Of our navy,
accustomed to the old-fashioned wooden YES
sells and guns, would be entirely at sea If placed
on board modern man-of.war without any
preliminary training or instruction. It was to
provide men suitable for the new ships which
1t Is expected will compose our navy in few
years that the training school was established
There are two branches Of the school, one at
ash1ngton and the other st Newport.
THE WASHINGTON SCHOOL.
At the Washington branch the course con-
sists of instruction in gun mechanism, the as
sembling of the parts Of all machine guns, the
manner of fitting all the new ammunition for
the new gu.., and all the electric connections
iOT uTItIS the same, the manner OF handling
torpedo search lights, plumbing, moulding, tne
construction Of fuses and all the laboratory
work So called. At Newport the men are in
structed in the manufacture of nitro-glyceripe
and dynamite, in the construction of tOrpedOes
the manufacture of electric fuses, the method
of electric connections of all kinds, getting to-
gether torpedo outfit for q cruising vessel,
placing of submarine mines, diving, &c. The
instruction Is entirely practical and not theo-
retieal; For instance, at the Washington navy
yard, the men are shown the construction OF
an improved gun from the very beginning,
until 1t is finally complete. The term Is six
at any time When man has Completed the
course OF training at both places to the salts
faction OF his Instructors, he Is sent TO sea- and
can act as Instructor In certain way to his
shipmates.
GRADUATES FROM THE SCHOOL.
A number of sailors who had previously been
instructed In gunnery here have graduated from
Newport, and have been recently assigned to
the Ta!lapoosa and Vandalia, both of which
electrical apparatus. The class at Washington
was last month changed to Newport to succeed
them, and new class formed here. Commo-
the progress of the school, stated that 1t was
most gratifying. There are now about fifty re-
ceiving instructions, and the increased number
of applications for admission to the school
shows the effect already produced upon the
sailors, many Of whom are an xiOus to improve
mission. The man must be under thirty wears
OF age, and must be fairly educated, and must
enter early In his term OF enlistment. as it Is
not the intention to educate the men, un iess the
service can receive the benefit Commodore
Schey, when asked by STAR reporter about
the matter, said the men who have been re-
marked Improvement, and when the cruises are
ready for sea he expects to put such men on
board as will be familiar with all the details of
the ships paraphernalia.
COMMODORE scHLEY's PLEA FOR JACK.
He also has other projects in view for better.
inp tho condition nj no man tI,rorrh~,,& - :.
service, and hopes to secure legislation to that
end at the present session of Congress He will
endeavor to secure retired list for sailors SINH.
lar to that for soldiers, libraries for naval ves-
sells, homes for sailors, and a system of savings
similar to that in the army. s!If Jack feels thai
he will be cared for in his last days he will be
Commodore Schley. "Why should the marine
in the same vessel have such q provision for
him, while the sailor whose duties are of far
more importance Is left to shift for himself
when he is incapacitated for active service, An
active interest in the welfare OF the men
viii promote the efficiency Of the service.
naval vessel to find the effect OF proving to the
men that the officers were interested In them.
privileges possible when such privileges were
not abused. They were permitted to 60 ashore
whenever practicable. with all the money they
theatricals and other entertainments aboa
ship for their own amusement, and everything
was done to promote their comfort and content.
They were singing and skylarking all day when
of duty, and would have been all night n al
lowed. don't believe there was q better ship
In the navy. She was the Benecia, cruising ia
the East Indies for three years. During the
whole cruise there were but twelve desertions
while nearly double that number mi1ht h,
ordinarily expected In = vessel of her Size.
AsNvINGs BANK AND LIBRARY.
"But there are other things that Jack needs
besides retired list" continued the commo.
dOre. "He should have some authorized avs.
tenn OF saving his pay. AS it IL now he comes
home from three years cruise with perhaua
several hundred dollars Of undrawn nav due
him. It has accumulated, but It has not in
creased By interest," as should be the case. He
should be allowed to deposit his money with
paymaster just rs In savings bank Then
too, the receiving ships should be a. a home n,
sailors when they come back from q cruise and
receive an honorable discharge. An honorably
months Is entitled TO pay the same as il he had
remained In the service. II such man contd o.,
TO receiving ship and leave their kits. take
e ana meaisoniy one ration extra for each man,
not be compelled to take up their ouartars in
such low, degraded places as sailors boardino
houses ere. There ere men In New York who
receiving ships would ofier q projection from
these men. Intend doing all In nv power ID
get an appropriation OF $4,000 tor q sailors'
aorary. want 70 have every vessel supplied
iof Jack, but such a. would both entertafn md
instruct him. such % Bancrofts History
Maclanley, Dickens, Thackeray, Scott, &C. ne
OF different books, 60 that a n statso, ss ~
libraries could be exchanged By the vsa siss
| Tnere would have to b. stroll roruln ftons
| Glowing man 70 keep book out 20 long, and
appreciate such evident solicitude for Their val
fare, and am sure would repay the enverr,
ment for any additional expense by ID i'm