New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-27

ton. Then the ships company was mustered ON
the after part of the gun-deck hear the articles
OF war read When the Stonington is in civil
life and n steady-going passenger steamer, the
after part of the gun-deck is called the MAIN
saloon; but things are different now, and since
the steamer has joined the Reserve, every part
of her has been rechrstened. The officers of the
ship, who are on board and in times less warlike
are lords of all they survey on board, listen with
expressions of hopeless resignation while the Naval
folks call the saloon the gun-deck, the main
deck, the berth deck, the ladies' cabin the ward
room, and the hurricane deck the spar deck
However, to return to the muster on the
gul-deck, Adjutant Kent read that soothing COM
position, the Articles of War, in an impressive
voice, and Commander Miller looked especially
stern as his adjutant read off the pains and penal
ties prescribed by the Government for all sorts
of sins of omission and of commission After this
sounded, and from a flagstaff futtered over the
StOnington the church pennant, long white pen
nant, charged with a red cross. The Rev. Dr.
lIcartiield, of PoughkeepSe, who is at Fishers
Island had come on board and. clad in his sur
plice, read the Episcopal service. The services
were held on the gun-deck, and the entire ships
sponses and Joined in singing Nearer, My God to
Thee" DR.. HEARTFELT preached q short sermon.
The doctor never had more devout congregation
or probably more pictureS1n" ones The kneeiing
whiteclad young men. the officers in blue and
gold, the surpliced priest at his scaret-coyered
pulpit, the bright glare of the sunlight,
the waving OF UIlt DdIfefS anu UUe
the water, all formed picture not soon to be
forgotten. The sacred music floating ont from
the shining brass instruments OF the band echoed
from the rocky shores and isl-.A in the Sabbath
morning and heightened the effect of the scene.
After church came dinner, and after dinner
leisure At o'clock was supper, and at / o the
bugle sang 'Sleep we'll" The lights went out,
the guards were posted and another day was ended
in the first cruise Of the Naval Reserve of the
State of New-Yorl. The Stonington is to-day
one of the most formidable men-of-war afOat
II is not because of herself: il is
not becauEe of the number of men she car
res, but it is because Of the kind of men, and
the possibilities they possess When the presi-
dept of a great corporation, musical critic OF
repute an heir of millions dozen successful
lawyers doctor of standing, Journalists, men
of wealth, and responsible clerks and business
men will work as these men are doing with the
one idea of becoming proficient naval sailors sub
jectng themselves voluntarily to ri2id discipline
and sacrifice of ease and comfort, the Nations
maritime spirit must still he alive.
Tomorrow the reserves will report on board the
various ships of the White squadron at o'clock
and be drilled at great guns. In the afternoon
they will be drilled at the secondary batteries Of
the ships. The practice ship Constellation, With
cadets from Annapolis board is anchored In
New-Lond0n IlorbOr. and what with the Naval
Reserve and the Squadron of Evolution, the Pc
quot House piazza Is fairly abaze with uniforms;
One could not swing cat without hitting a naval
officer but there. as Mr.. Dick remarked, one does
not want to swing q cat.