Evening journal., 1891-07-28
ON BOARD THE BIG SHIPS
The Naval Reserves Are Still
Hard at Work.
THEY GIVE THE REGULARS POINTS.

THEY GIVE THE REGULARS POINTS.
New London's Mayor Pays the Squadron
visit, and Governor Hin win Take
Look at the boys soon-Drin with
the big Guns
NEW LONDON, Conn, July es.-On board
naval reserve steamer Stonington, off
Fishers silence - Cast loose
and provide" Load "Point.n Port
gun aim 200 yards at Concord's STERN
"starboard gun 500 yards on bow on
steamer coming down-keep 1t covered"
1t was well for the Concord and that
steamer that the guns were not loaded
-Four Of the naval reserves stood on board
the Chicago at each Of the 5T-millimeter
Hotehkiss revolving cannon, handling the
guns as II in battle Lieutenant Nickles,
who gave the commands, was proud of
their quickness. Admiral Walker com
plimented them highly. rwenty-nine
more reserves were forward with Ilieuten
ants Niblock, Sheutz, Hubbard and
knight, working the other guns Of the
secondary battery.
One hundred more were busy Mt the same
drill on board the Boston, Atlanta and
Newark. Crews of their officers were be
ing similarly instructed on the Concord
and Yorktown.
Mayor Tinker's Cali.
One steamboat approached the Chicago
On her big white flag was inscribed,
"City Of New London Mayor Tinker
and committee of the common council
had a set Of resolutions aboard to deliver to
Admiral Walker.
"Is the officer of the deck inin Mr. Tinker
shouted.
A few "jackies" snickered, and there was
a peculiar look about the mouths Of the
naval cadets. "Why don't he ring the
bellg" asked one In whisper.
The officer Of the deck smiled II am
the officer of the deck he shouted back
Nobody is allowed aboard until after the
drill.n Then he noticed the big flag.
But, he added, 'the city Of New London
can come on board"
1--WE are thoser' shouted back the mayor,
at which the officer Of the deck retired be-
hind mast for several seconds to get his
face in proper shape to properly receive
the gallant mayor.
Governor Hill is comingm was the news
that put new pleasure in the work. A let
ter from Colonel Williams to Commander
Miller says that the governor and his staff
will visit the Stonington on Wednesday
morning.
This means that the governor win wit
ness the firing at the targets Of the big
guns by the boys
they Are All Jolly Tars.
1 The enrly morning watch aboard the
Stonington saw the belated Newark glide
past the flagship and anchor above her
Soon after the Newark hove in sight the
days work for the reserves began. Il is
Surprising how their interest and zeal keer
mp. Most Of them are heavy swells ashore,
burt every one is a jolly jack tar adoat.
I Half-past ! saw them pulling away in
their cutters and whaleboats for their re.
| spective ships.
The guns crews, as soon as they re.
ported, formed in rear Of the regular crews
1 and saw them drilled at great guns for an
hour. Then the reserves took hack at il.
! They did just what he others had done.
I They "cast loose and provided by scam.
pering to the ammunition and other rooms
, and bringing to the guns everything neces.
sary TO load and fire them. They did il
with snap and dash lacking In the regu-
lar blue jackets.
They Know II All.
BY noon every naval miiitiaman had
been told all about the big guns-how they
are made and how to use them. There
was pull back 10 the Stonington for din
ner and then pull back to the ships foi
instructions at the Hotchkiss guns Of the
second battery, and in the various kinds
of ammunition and their service
What the reserves do not know about
armor piercing shells, common shells and
shrapnel the inventors never thought Of.
They handled all sorts OF ammunition,
studied the sectional drawings and opened
their eyes when told what each gun
weighed, how far IL would send projectile
and how much iron or steel il could pierce
"Will you kindly tell me about this
gunp asked a specialized, pale faced look
ing reserve Of regular blue Jacket.
Certainly, sir" replied the Jackie
with an air OF superior wisdom.
'Is there geometric proportion between
the initial force aud the muzzle energy,
the foot tons and the weight Of the pro.
jectilei II 50, will you please demonstrate
it by propositionW
The regular gave a gasp "You better
see the commanding officer, sir" he 70.
piled with profound respect. as he fell
back.
To Fire at Targets.
The reserves fairly ache to get at thes4
big guns in earnest Their chance will
come on Wednesday. Uncle Sam will
have to expend few pennies then for the
volunteers. Five Of the cruisers will fire
two shots at the target from their port
main batteries, and five shots from their
starboard secondary batteries.
On the Chicago, forexample, that means
that four shots from the S-fnch guns will
cost $780, eight from the 6-inch S224, two
from the s-inch s79, ten from the 47-milh
meter Hotchkiss guns sl620, five from the
S7-milhmeter gun $500, five from the J.
FOUNDER, $40 Total, S5339 Multiply
this by five and the total is 50, ,669 So Add
TO this certain other expenses not included
aud the total cost to the government foi
the target practice OF the naval reserves on