The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-08-23
The Naval Reserves.

The naval militia battalions of Philadel-
phia and Rochester having returned on
Saturday from their cruise at sea aboard
the San Francisco, the naval reserve OF the
city OF New York will embark on the New
Hampshire at the end Of this week for
cruise in Long Island Sound.
The cruise Of the San Francisco confirmed
the views derived from the previous cruise
OF the Boston reserves. and also from the ex-
perience OF last summer as to the rapid
ity with which the naval militia take up
the routine Of duty aboard ship. The men
from Philadelphia and Rochester were as
signed to gun divisions precisely as II they
had belonged to the San Francisco. part
Of the regular crew being landed to make
room for them. They had the same food
and quarters as the crew. and were trained
like them at target Practice. fire quarters.
boat drill. and SO on.
Their practice with the great guns was
particularly good. and this has been no.
ticed In the case Of all the rural militia. 1t
is point Of Importance. because the spe-
cial gain looked to in these organizations is
that of furnishing trained and skilful gun
ners in case OF sudden emergency which
requires additional men for the war ships
or for merchant vessels hastily fitted UP
to serve as scouts and cruisers.
A part Of this rapidity in learning Is no
doubt due to the drills and instruction
ashore which these young men receive dur
ing the winter. In preparation for their an
nual cruise Some of them, also. are prac-
tically familiar with sea life. In yachting or
other voyaging. But Admiral BENHAA.
commenting on the last trip Of the Boston
reserves. who about equalled In number
those Of Philadelphia and Rochester COM
bined. ascribes their quickness in becoming
proficient to their superior intelligence.
On the other hand. there are marked diff
ferences between the genuine man-oi-war's
man and the citizen sailor. and one Of the
chief OF them Is the alertness and prompt
motion OF the former to obey orders This.
in turn. is largely the result Of habit and of
familiarity with the general class Of orders
that may be expected at a given time or in
certain circumstances. SO that the men al
most seem to anticipate them. That simply
shows the great utility of the summer
cruises. which. whenever possible. should
be at sea and under the conditions OF ordl-
nary service.
The growth and success OF the naval re-
serve organization have been most remark
able. especially in view Of Its being founded
in time Of peace. with no urgent demand
for it. and Of the very moderate provision
by Congress for its arming and equipment
Its good fortune may largely be ascribed to
its having been organized under State laws
as portion Of the State militia. This not
only gives the members clear idea OF their
duties, and OF the limit OF their responsible
ties. but it creates an interest in the State
Legislatures to support the citizen sailors
as part Of the National Guard.
That these reserves furnish to the Gov
eminent most economical auxiliary for
the regular service must be evident. At
the outbreak Of a war q great need Is to
obtain men enough for the ships. 1t is clear
that many men might be qualified to enlist
in the army. and could be hurried at once
into the field. who would need some expe-
rience in seafaring life to make them OF
much use on war ship. In the naval re-
serves the Government has source of re-
lance. maintained at very slight expense
and yet trained to the most important Of
the duties devolving on the regular crews
OF the navy.