Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-07-13
THE NAVAL MILITIA.

arrangements for the First Cruise OF |
tho First Battalion - Instructions
and Drills at Fishers IsIand-Ffve |
u. s. Vessels Already Mt New Lon. /
don--New Ravens Chamber OF Conn |
merce and tho State Board Of Trade. |
The action of the board Of trade of Con-
aecticut taken last January on the resolu-
ion from the New Haven chamber of COM
nerce advocating the need Of proper sea
coast and harbor defenses for Long Island
sound, which was passed unanimously,
seems to have had the desired effect in
adding to the impetus of the movement in
by several of the states border
ing on the North Atlantic that have taken
immediate action on the subject, Massa-
chusetts, New York and Pennsylvania
leading, by organizing naval reserve
militia, which will meet annually. One or
more fleets stationed off the coast, the
adequate protection of the east approach
to New York via Long Island sound, has
long been advocated, and now the state of
New York seems to have started in earn
having organized militia which has been
called the First battalion, Naval Reserve
artillery of the State of New York.
Five U. S. war vessels have already ar
rived at New London.
The Evening Post of July 9 gives the
following on the subject: 49,.
Arrangements have been completed for
the first cruise of the First battalion naval
reserve artillery of the state of New York.
AS already announced, Fisher 8 Island, off
the Connecticut coast, at the entrance to
Long Island sound, has been selected as
the place for the drills of the naval militia,
and July 25 as the date.
The first battalion, which was mustered
into the state service on June %, consists
of 225 men. The object of the battalion is
the defence of New York harbor and it's
approaches. Last winter the command
drilled on board the Minnesota in the vari-
GUS exercises pertaining to duty on man
of-war. A department of information has
been organized relating to seafaring craft
in the harbor capable of being used for
torpedo work and for transportation in
case of sudden hostilities. The battalion
is also being trained in the knowledge of
all the sound depths of water, tides, and
aids to navigation in the waters of the
state, and it is obtaining information rela-
tive to the various business houses, foun-
dries, etc., capable of supplying ship
stores.
The navy department has shown deep
interest in this new corps, and Governor
Hill and Adjutant- General Porter have
arranged with Secretary Tracy for the
first cruise Of the naval battalion to take
place during the last week in July. It's
commanding officer, Lieutenant Com
mander Jacob William Miller, said lately
that the battalion will embark on board
chartered steamer on the morning of Sat-
urday, July 20, with all its arms and &C
coutrements, and proceed to Fishers
island, exercising in instruction as to the
navigation of Long Island sound during
the day, as well as in boat drills and fire
quarters on its arrival at Fishers island.
the White squadron, Admiral Walker
in command, at anchor. Beginning
Monday, Jul 81, series of drills
will take place in connection with the
men of-war, which will last until the fol
lowing Friday, the battalion preceding
every morning on board a war vessel, and
remaining there during the day. These
drills will be about as follows: In
struction and exercises with the new
ordnance, great guns and secondary bat
terry; target practice with the batteries,
both under way and at anchor; boat drills
and fleet exercises, with the men of the
battalion and of the fleet acting jointly;
night and day signal drill; attack on
hostile fleet, the ships using their search
lights against the boats of the battalionl
the fleet and of the State of New York,
with force of about 1 400 men.
All the expenses of the cruise, amount
ing to about So, 900, will have to be borne
by the battalion, as the state has made no
provision therefor. The members of the
battalion bought their own uniforms,
while the national government supplied
the arms. All the state has thus far done
for the battalion was to muster it into the
service.
The discussion at the Connecticut board
of trade meeting, above referred to, was
upon this resolution:
Resolved, That we earnestly recommend
the erection of harbor and coast defenses,
and particularly the fertilization of the
eastern entrance of Long Island sound, as
being the most direct approach to the port
of New York and coast of Rhode Island
and Connecticut.
Mr. Charles II. Townshend of this city
led in the discussion. After speaking of
his long maintained interest in this i'm
portant subject, or interest which he
zealously displayed through the columns
of this paper and in other ways years ago
when there was no national awakening to
its Importance, Mr.. Townshend spoke of
the recommendations for appropriate for
tifcation of the eastern approach to Long
Island sound made years ago by General
Wright as chief engineer under our gov
eminent.
Captain Townshend made vigorous
and effective argument, backed up by such
facts and figures as these:
IT wish to say that Long Island sound is
| more valuable than any other waterway
on the coast. The transportation is
81, 900, 900. There are sixteen lines of
| steamers running through the sound.
There are twenty barge lines going
through, and the fleet of coal sailing YES
| sells is more extensive than any fleet in
the world--more, perhaps, than goes up
| value goes through Lond Island sound to
| New York than goes east. Greater value
goes from New York by way of Sandy
Hook than comes in, of course, as shown
by cargoes, wheat and other merchandise.
That is another reason why we should
have our coast protected. Again, the
moral effect of known protection keeps off
an invading force, or would have that
tendency.
eve are supported by the great city of
New York, which has the most to lose in
case OF war. understand CnaG CUES
ton now given to cadets in Europe is
this: How would you attack the United
States in case of warv And almost every
scheme sent in to the officer in charge is to
attack New York from the eastern en-
trance of the sound. That shows that we
lie in very exposed position. Our towns
can be laid under contribution and large
amounts of money collected from US. The
probability is that Great Britain or any
other power, if we were to have trouble,
would collect in one week billions of
money out of our seaport towns, which
would go largely toward paying the ex-
penses of the war. That is one reason why
I feel interested in this thing, and hope
that the board will unanimously support
the resolution"
Hon, N. D. -Sperry made one of his
characteristic able speeches in behalf OF
| the resolutions; John II. Leeds did like
wise.
Mr.. Hoppin of New London made a
speech of much power and force. In his
speech he said: Fishers island, lying as
| it does across the mouth of the Thames
| river, is strategic point. It's importance
| as point of defense has been SO thorough
| ly discussed, and the reason why the gov
| eminent should improve the use of this
| natural defense, have been set forth by the
| engineers and by our representatives in
congress. I trust the action of the state
| board of trade will be such as to renew
their interest in it, and call at least their
attention to the fact that Connecticut and