Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-23


sAvAL RESERVES AT sosroS--rwo sHAn RAT
TIES FOUGHT WITH GREAT EcL.r-rHE
OFFICERS AND RxsEavks HosrITABLy ENTER
TANNED.
Special Corrvspondencs OF The Evsu.ns Star
b. NV YoRx, July Is. 1894
The famous white squA dron" Is no longer
the proud feet Of eight vesseis that skirted the
New England coast II ON New York to Bar Har-
Dor last summer, with it, princely receptions
IN all the cities Of the coast, its evolutionary
drills and crowds Of interested and often inter-
esting visitors. All that remains Of the feet 10
the Chicago, with Admiral Walkers Dag at the
mixzen, and the Atlanta, swinging at their moor
ings in North river.
They have Just returned from the weeks drill
Of the Massachusetts,. naval reserve Of Boston,
which Is still efficiently managed and COM
manded BY Leutenaht Commander Solely. the
brother Of the assistant secretary Of the navy
The naval reserve in Boston las become an
established affair, and the second annual drill,
held this year, showed conclusively that the
officers and men had certainly improved
and benefited themselves by last years exer-
cises with the white squadron. This year the
old monitor Passaic, proudly carving her six
teen scars from rebel shot and shell at Fort
Fisher in 1853, was taken up from Annapolis
and placed at their disposal This old vessel
and the receiving ship Wabash provided ample
quarters for the $50 officers and men OF the
reserves.
An ATTACK on the NAVY YARD.
During the week each day was spent in
drilling aboard the ships Of Admiral Walkers
squadron, and two sham battles were held be-
tween the ''jack tars" of the regular service
and Commander Soley's aspirants. The first
was an attack by the boats Of the ships on
the militia at the navy yard.
Just as the darkness began to hide the boats
along the piers and turn the blue harbor water
an inky black the boats Of the Chicago were
lowered into the water, at q signal of five red
and white lights from the flagship, Calling
guns and Hotchkiss guns were quickly mounted
in the bows Of the cutters and the men, belted
and armed for the frny with cutlasses. pistols
and rifles. filed into the boats and took their
places at the oars, and few minutes later Q
signal from the Atlanta announced that all
ready. As the boats showed or from the ships
and started on their two-mile pull up the river
the guns Of the Wabash and Passaic broke the
stiffness and charge after charge Of powder
helped to keep up the dclusion.
When the boats were well up the river the
Chicago and Atlanta opened fire with their bat
teries, AID the dull roar of the six-inch broad
side rifles mingled with the sharp crack of the
Hotchkiss rapid-fire guns and made noise that
startled staid Oh Boston and ratified the win
dows of some of her old buildings that NAV
stately old Bunker Hill monument now stands
The boats pulled up to within few yards of
the ships and were met by brisk small-arm
fire that (by the preconcerted arrangement
repulsed them, and they pushed sadly back to
their ships. or course even as a "sham" the
battle was an improbable affair, for after a few
minutes fire from the squadron's heavy guns
very small force would have no trouble in
taking the Wabash and Passaic.
LAND BATTLE AT DEER ISLAND.
The second conflict was a land battle at Deer
Island, outside of Boston harbor The re-
serves held the island with infantry and light
artillery, and the ships steamed down the har-
Dor and anchored off the island. Equipped as
infantry and artillery, the ships crews manned
the boats that extended in . long line parallel
to the shore, with the boats Of the hospital
corps, flying the ''red cross Of Geneva" little
in the rear.
Soon all was ready-for O moment four va
rious colored signal flags streamed out from
their halliards on the Chicago's topsail Yard
arm, and the command ''Give wav together"
went down the line of boats, while little red
and white pennant waved from each boat to show
that the signal was understood The long line
of boats pulled steadily for the shore and the
Chicago and Atlanta opened fire with their
broadsides to clear the beach of the enemy.
When near the beach the light artillery in the
bows Of the boats opened fire and the reserves
retreated back Of the sand hills on the beach
The boats pulled swiftly in, the ''blue jackets
jumped into the water, knee deep. and. wading
in, quickly formed a skirmish line on the shore,
the artillery was dragged ashore to cover the
TANKS and the line of battle started up the bluffs
back of the water front. In forty-five minutes
the .hhae 3nskef' hattalion had defeated Com
-nsnder Soiey's ''reserves'' and held the COM
handing position.
forces Joined in dress parade and returned to
the ships. which steamed back to Boston under
the admiring eyes Of hundreds of yachtsmen
and excursionists.
Another day was given to target practice, the
reserves manning the guns and doing some
excellent target shooting for novices.
BALL AND RECEPTION.
When the drills were over the officers and
men of the reserves gave ball and reception
to the officers Of the squadron on the Wabash.
which was very successful affair. To the
visitors it had that charm that dance aboard
ship always has for any one not accustomed to
ship hfe-the girls thought lit was too sweet
for anything" the naval officers felt that they
had haen well treated and the reserves knew
time"
The last day the citizens of Boston gave a
banquet at Mechanics Hall to the officers and
men of the naval reserves and white squadron.
The parade before the dinner extended from
the navy yard in Charleston past historic
Bunker Hill and old South Church and the
Commons to Mechanics Hall. In most cities
and coast towns visited by the government
squadrons the officers are toasted and Toasted,
while the .blue jackets go unnoticed alto
gether, but it Is relief to see that the Boston
banquet was given to all alike, and though they
Cthe blue Jackets are often accused of being
rough and oparse, can say that every one in
the big crowd Of ''blue jackets that partook Of
the banquet was dignified and was an honor to
the navy blue" he wore. The neatness of the
mems clothing was especially commented upon
THE OLD NEW HAMPSHIRE
The squadron left Boston on last Sunday, the
Atlanta going to New London to CONVOY the
old receiving ship New Hampshire to New York.
where she is to be used as quarters for the 400
men of the New York naval reserves during
their annual drills next week. The old ship
was long since dismantled and rooted over
and was used for several years as the training
ship for boys at Newport, R. /. Two years ago
she was taken to New London and moored 10
the dock at the naval station, but little or no
use was made Of her there. She was built in
1918 and saw service in tbs Mexican war and
the rebellion also. An officer Of the Atlanta. as
be viewed the New Hampshire towering ..four
decks" above the water, suggested that If some
enterprising person would purchase her and.
fitting her up as a summer resort hotel. anchor
her off one OF the popular watering places OF
the New England coast. he would make a for
tune. The idea is a novel one to many people.