Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-03-26
THE NAVAL RESERVE.
How Such a Force Is Maintained and Paid
In Great Britain.

How Such q Force Is Maintained and Paid
in Great Britain.
For the last twenty-five years, says
the San Francisco Chronicle, Great
Britain has maintained q magnificent
corps of seamen called the royal naval
reserve, forming body Of men under
obligations to serve on her coast-defense
war-ships. Liberal appropriations have
been made for drilling these men in
gunnery, small-arms tactics and the
general duties of a war-ship, and to-day,
were the sea-going British ironclads
called out for duty on stations other
than on her own coasts, the naval re-
serve numbers sufficient men to man
the gun-boats, small turret ships and
other types of vessels that are classed
under the head of ''coast-defense ships"
In Great Britain the coast guard, doing
duty as life-saving patrolmen and watch
ing for smugglers, are all ex-man-of-
war sailors, ready at moments notice
to serve on board ship. These coast
guardsmen are in receipt of a yearly
stipend and pension. Many British
merchant vessels-steam and SALTY
what is known as the blue ensign, in
distinction from the usual red flag that
is familiar all over the world. This flag
u %
lieutenant in the reserve, and at least
one-third of his officers and crew also
belong to that service.
Every summer the reserve, or at least
as many as are to be found at home
ports, are placed on board of q navy
ship and accompany the feet of war
vessels during their cruise, receiving
pay and rations from the Government.
~ u
that he shall be drilled either on board
of cruising ship, or one in harbor
especially designed for the service, for
at least one month every year, unless in
the case of officers they can give proof
of their efficiency. In time of war the
naval reserve receive pay similar to the
regularly enlisted men of the navy. 1t
will thus be seen that the British navy
possesses large reserve to man it's
ships. Besides this body, the Govern
ment, anxious to foster its marine, has
at various seaports several line-of-bat-
tie ships for the training of young men
! as officers in the merchant service. The
management of these vessels is vested
in various bodies consisting mainly of
ship-owners and merchants, and the
good work effected by these ships is
PIONCu NY bAG huAAbSA "a AhdotC4S "a
vessels who acknowledge their training
on the Conway or Belvidere.
For many years the want of a reserve
force of men has been a subject for
thought among those interested in our
navy and mercantile marine. Secre-
taries of the navy in their reports have
urged upon Congress the propriety OF
establishing body of seamen that
could be utilized both as an auxiliary
to the navy and for defending the
various coast ports at which they might
reside. In accordance with American
institutions the force maintained by the
navy is small, and any sudden demand
upon its resources would be met by the
creation Of naval militia.
In New York the members of thu
Seahwanaka Yacht Club organized (
volunteer naval reserve; the United
States sloop st. Mary's makes annua
summer cruises with her crew of younI
lads, and in the winter, while in harbor
the boys not only receive a goo,
scholastic course but are also laugh
, seamanship. Massachusetts, and New
Jersey are now deeply interested in tn
scheme of providing the State with
naval militia, and quite recently on
Chamber of Commerce took the initia
tive step for similar service in thi
State.