The morning call., 1891-08-18
NAVAL RESERVE.
Meeting of Yaehtsmen to Organ.
ize a Local Company.

A number of members of the various local
yacht and boating clubs met in the rooms of
the Chamber of Commerce last night for the
purpose OF taking preliminary steps for the
organization of a company of the Naval
Battalion, in accordance with an act re-
Gently passed by the Legislature. A COM
mittee from the Chamber of Commerce, con-
sisting of S. G. Hilborn and Oliver Ell
bridge, was present to assist in the object.
Admiral Irwin came down from Mare
Island especially to attend the meeting, and
WAS on hand when S. G. Hilborn stated the
purpose OF the call and read the several
communications from the Secretary of the
Navy On the subject and also the law re-
lating to the formation of battalion in Cal
iforna. Mr.. Hllborn was chosen as Chair
man of the meeting and j. Chandler as Sec
rotary.
Admiral Irwin was called upon and
stated that he had received telegram from
Secretary Tracy of the Navy asking
whether he thought the Nipsic or the Adams
more preferable as the man-of- war to be used
for drilling the battalion. He thought the
Nipsic was the better Of the TWO, and it was
his opinion the Secretary would order her
to be used for the instruction of the mem
bers of the battalion. He had been in
hopes of obtaining the Charleston, but she
had been ordered to China. Admiral Irwin
concluded by stating that he was heartily
in favor Of the movement and thought it
would produce good results.
Lieutenant Wilson Of the navy went into
the details of the subject and enlightened
those present on the duties of those joining
He said the members should keep in mind
that the battalion is not for play.
Commodore Johnson of the Corinthian
Yacht Club stated that the greatest diff
Guilty he had found in speaking with young
men on the subject was that they thought it
would take up too much of their tina and
Interfere with their occupations. He asked
for Information.
Admiral Irwin and Lieutenant Wilson
announced that II would take no more time
than the National Guard took from its mem-
bers. The drilling in gunnery on the man
ot-war would take two afternoons in a
month. Two evenings wOnld be occupied
in drilling in an armory. Once year there
would be ten days cruise on man of
war. This would correspond to the summer
encampment of the land forces OF the guard.
Secretary Chandler announced that he
had received communication from Cen
eral Dickinson, stating that place for drill
could be obtained for the city companies
only expense being the gas bill.
On motion of Commodore /. Cutie, q
mu5ter-roll was opened, he stating that he
would be the first to sign If he were not de-
barred by age.
J. ID. Spreckels was the first TO put his
signature to the roll, and he was followed
by A. Il. Spreckels, Commodore Johnson,
Fred Cook, c. ii. Croker, and others to the
number Of twenty signed the paper.
Secretary Chandler stated that the sigma
lures dill not bind the parties signing, but
We're only an earnest of the intention to
form company. 1t was necessary to have
certain legal publication before the real
muStel-roll could bs opened.
Commodores Cutie and Johnson and
Messrs. Thomas ard Spreckels were APP
pointed committee to obtain additional
signatures to the roll. The meeting ad-
journed for one week, when some definite
steps will be taken in perfecting the organi-
zntinO