The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-11-22
THE NAVAL RESERVE.
Proposal to Extend the Force TO
Puget Sound.
FORCE or VOLUNTEERS SAILORS.


Another effort will be made as the ap-
preaching session Of the Legislators 70
pass bsIi for sae establishment Of q naval
reserve IN this state, and those interested
are anticipating no difficulty in thus max
Ing the Frat start ter the establishment of
naval volunteer force. During isql and
lsS- great deaf of interest was mani
Tested IN this city and the state in the
effort to establish . naval reserve for
Warrington. 10 De attached 10 the Ma
tsonal Guard. ". H. Gorham was one Of
the leaders of the movement. and through
his aid and that OF others interested, a
bill was drawn up and introduced in the
last state legislature providing for iss es-
adjustment Owing. however, to the
senatorial light. the bill was not passed,
and since then the matter has rested
In New York. Massachusetts. California
and other states the naval reserve Is a
great success. In New York the state has
given 10 the reserve the steamer Stoning-
ton, which has been transformed into a
gunboat for their exclusive nse. and in
Massachusetts the state appropriates a
certain sum of money each year for the
maintenance of the reserve. Wherever a
naval reserve has been established il has
been successful and source Of pride 20
the states which have aided in its estab-
iishment. W. II. Gorham was seen yes
terday by a reporter Of the Posr-IxrELIt-
sEscEg in regard 10 the prospects for the
establishment of battalion in this state,
and talked as follows on the subject:
The idea Of a naval reserve is an En-
glish one. and occupies the same position
towards the navy that the National Guard
does towards the army. IL has been taken
hold of IN this country during the last four
years. and there Is now a naval reserve IN
Massachusetts, as branch OF the service
OF the Massachusetts, militia. one in New
York. one In Mary laud, one IN Illinois and
one in California
People should draw distinction be-
tween q marine and a 'biueiacket.' The
marine Is the soldier aboard ship who
does police duty. The blue is the
sailor aboard ship who mans the gun
deck in time of action, and IL is this duty
of the blusjacket that the members Of the
naval reserve wish to qualify themselves
In.
ITO assist the seaboard states in organ
izing and maintaining naval reserve the
national government has, during the last
two congresses. Appropriated certain sums
for the benefit of the naval reserve of the
several states. These appropriations are
distributed pro rata among those states
having naval reserve. upon a certificate
OF the governor OF q state as TO the number
enlisted In the reserve. The Federal gov
eminent has also rendered great assistance
10 the cause in placing the white squad
ron at the service of the reserve of the
states of Massachusetts. New York and
California. during the summer season. at
which time the reserve takes complete
charge OF everything except the nayiga-
ton of the ship. This practically corre-
H.
Guard, and In the cases above referred to
the reserve has been out on the ships of
the white squadron for q period of ten
days. In Boston five men-of-war were
turned over TO the reserve and a ten DAYS
cruise made upon them. New York had
the same privilege. and the following sum
mer the California reserve was out several
days on msn-of-war. This sea practice of
the reserve includes short practice in bat
TALON formation. and the tactics are the
same as provided IN the regulations of the
United States navy.
HAS TO the progress made in this state
for the formation of a naval reserve about
two years ago much correspondence was
had between those interested in the mat
ter here and the commandants of the re-
serve in New York and Massachusetts, and
much valuable information was received
and placed on file by the association,
which was at that time formed for the
purpose of promoting naval reserve in
this state. The matter was agitated con-
siderabiy and biii was introduced in
both houses of the last legislature for the
establishment of a naval reserve battalion.
consisting of four companies and TO he
called the naval reserve Of Washington.
This bill died with the termination OF the
session. as did several hundred other bills.
because of the intense interest taken IN
the senatorial iight, and notwithstanding
the fact that the bill rs introduced was
fayoraby recommended TO the committees
TO which IL rs referred.
'ssince that time there has not been
much done in the matter, but nov that
another session OF the legislature is soon
20 meet, another effort SHOULD be made to
aWaken puo!ic interest. and / see no rea-
son Why ball saoald not be passed this
winter for the establishment Of reserve
in this state. The cost rs the state is very
little. IS the Federal governments furnishes
all the arms anc Announcements neces-
ssry.
There is no inner body OF water in the
world up0n which naval reserve could
spend much OF ats time winter and sum
fneF than Puget sound, aud the govern
meat has already inumated that II would
place at the dis posaI Of the reserve the re-
ceiviag ship Nlpsic nov AT Port Orchard
where a splendid opportunity could be had
for gun DALI The main practice at irsl,
OF course. would be with The dummy guns,
and Afterwards aboard ship with real guns
A naval instructor would undoubtedly be
furnished by the national government.
I'VE are very much ia hopes that a oilt
for the establishment ot reserve can tie
passed this winter. The governor has a.
ready slgnltiei has interest ia the matter,
and for the good Of the state We intend 10
maze an earnest effort TO secure the estab-