New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-05
4 GCNBO1T ON THE OHIO.
A BRANCH OF THE NAVAL RESERVE FOR PITTS

A BRANCH OF THE NAVAL RESERVE FOR PITTS
BURG-wILL HAVE TO USE FLATBoATs.
pittsb,,re PENN Nov. 3 (SpecaD The forma-
t,on of a local branch Of the Pennsylvania Naval
Reserve is quite a novelty for city 100 miles ds-
tant from the Atlantic Ocean, Picture gunDoat
on the Monongahela River. 1t is to be built, how
ever and the Commonwealth will pay the Dill.
The depth of water registered here Is only SIX
feet Beyond the Davis Island dam, four miles
below Pittsburg there is only two feet five inches
Of water vet the hulls Of warships during the
struggle of 1872 were built at Elizabeth, thirty
miles further up the Monongahea RIVER from
Pittsburg and foated down on freshets TO New
Orleans where they were rugged and armed LOT
service Warships built at Elizabeth, 2Oto miles
north of New Orleans, have sailed clear around
the globe OF course they were pigmy affairs
compared with the armor-clad cruiser Of 1S93 In
the Civil War a great many gunboats, fully equipped
and ready for service, were built right at the
Pittsburg river front. They the regular Mis-
sissippi River gunboat Besides many Pittsburg
river steamers engaged in towing coal south were
seized by the United States authorities at Louis
vile and Cairo and converted into tin clads, ana
used as dispatch and supply boats
This Is about close connection as PittsDurS
could establish with maritime affairs 1t has scores
of captains and commodores in the river service.
Besides II has furnished its complement or stu
dents to the Annapolis Naval Academy, and Is
the birthplace and home of many genuine ocean
sailors active and retired. Lieutenant-Com-
mander Reiter. United States Navy. is a
Pittsburger and spends all his burroughs
here while DR.. w. II. Winslow was
once Lieutenant Winslow, United States Navy,
The novelty of the Naval Reserve has attracted
all the young of Pittsburg. There was
tremendous rush to join; only about sixty-one
applicants accepted at the initial meeting
Two divisions of the 1st Battalion have been
organized in Philadelphia fourth division is in
course OF formation at Erie The aim Of the or
ganizaton is to protect the commerce and busi-
of the city along the river fronts at the
call of the Governor and in time Of war to fur
nish experienced men TO the United States Navy
for petty or non-commIssoned officers A United
States naval officer will be detailed for instruc-
tion and he VIII begin work within two weeks
There will be weekly drills during the winter
months in accordance with United States regu-
latlons. Each year. during the summer, the di
vision will have at least eight days instruction
and cruise on Government warship.
Plans for the proposed river boat have already
been submitted by Tom Rees's Sons OF Pittsburg
and other designs will be furnished by the Cramps
of Philadelphia. Rees's Sons have in the last
ten years built numerous light-draught vessels
here for South American rivers, and they launched
one here last summer for New-York firm for
Central American trade. These boats after steam
ing down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, are
sanch enough to the Gulf Of Mexico. al
though some OF the most fragile craft have been
shipped in sections and put together at the end
of the journey.
Of necessity. the Pttsburg Naval Reserve boat
will be OF light draught. with machinery and
wheel protected and a fighting mast which can
be lowered for bridges Armament will be fur
nished by the United States Government, and
each man will be equipped with a rifle, cutlass
and revolver. Adjutant- General Greenland. OF
the State Militia: was present at the initial meet
ing, and Major a. J. Logan, OF the State Guards
had been detailed to conduct the organization as
sisted by DR.. w. +. Robson, surgeon OF the
18th Regiment. Division c will be the OFF,
cal title Of the Plttsburg section of the Penn
sylvana Navy.
DIR. Robson has been elected lieutenant-com-
mander. and he will sever his connection with
the 18th Regiment. will Dr. S. o. Brum-
baugh, who has been elected one of the two en-
signs the other being a. l.. Pearson, jr., son Of
ex-Major General A. l.. Pearson.