The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-01-24
FOR A NAVAL RESERVE
Efforts to Establish a Corps
in New Jersey-Visiting
New York. IL

The prom oters of the scheme to organize q
battalion of the Naval Reserve in this city,
in response to an invitation from Commander
Miller, of the New York Naval Reserve, last
night visited the battalion on board the train
ing ship, New Hampshire, which lies at
anchor off pier 2S, East River. 1t was ex-
pected that Governor Werts would be one of
the party, but the Governor notified the
promoters before they left for New York
that important business would prevent
his going with them. He said that he would
be pleased to visit the New York battalion
on February 20 and would make every effort
to attend the drill which will then be held.
The Governor is deeply interested in the
organization of a naval reserve In the State
and he has promised those interested that he
will give them all the aid he can. In his
annual message to the Legislature he recon-
mends that the plan to organize the reserve
be carried out. &,
The party last evening was in charge Of
Mr.. George M. Christian Of the Jersey City
Athletic Club, who is one of the most active
workers for the new militia. ST
The party arrived on board the
New Hampshire shortly after eight
o'clock and was met by Com
mander Miller and Philip B. Low, the
father of the Naval Reseve. The battalion,
which numbers over three hundred and
fifty men, was on lower deck going through
the regular drill In addition to the Jersey
City visitors there were over four hundred
spectators, many of whom were ladies.
The Jersey City would-be seamen were in
troduced to all the officers and special drill
was ordered. The drill consisted of the
movements in riot duty. The small
howitzers which form part Of the
battalion's equipment were taken apart in
remarkably brief time, carried upstairs and
then put together. By this drill,
Commander Miller illustrated how the
Naval Reserve could visit any port where
riots might arise and transport the howitz-
ers from the lower decks to land for service.
The reserve was also put through special
cutlass drill, which proved the efficiency of
the amateur Seamen.
Mr.. P. B. Low presented Mr.. Christian
with handsomely bound history of the New
York Reserve, and gave him valuable in
formation regarding the steps
to be taken towards organiza-
tion. Every courtesy was shown
Mr.. Christian and his companions and upon
their return to Jersey City they voted Com
mander Miller and his officers excellent
entertainers. The visit greatly encouraged
the Jersey City enthusiasts who are now
more than ever determined to push their
plans to a successful issue.
1t is the intention of, Governor Werts
to secure, if possible. the flagship Lancaster
of the Pacific squadron, which will shortly
be ordered out of service by the naval au-
thorities. The Governor has communicated
with Assistant Secretary McAdoo about
the matter and he is confident that the old
man -of-war will be turned over to the new
reserve which he hopes will
bear the initials IN. j." on
its uniform. The Lancaster will make its
last trip as a United States man-of-war early
in the spring, and she is expected to arrive
in New York in April. 1t is hoped that
when the man-of-war arrives in New York
she will be turned over to the Jersey City
Battalion.
At the meeting of the Board of Trustees of
the Jersey City Athletic Club tonight the
club will be requested to allow the battalion
to use its gymnasium for drill purposes.