The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-08-19
RESERVES CRUISING.
A Crew Of the Jersey City Divi-
sion Spend the Night in
an Open Boat.

Twelve members of the Jersey City
Division of the Naval Reserves had an
experience In practical sailoring Satur-
day and yesterday which they will long
remember. Their commander. Lieuten-
ant McDonough Craven started out with
the sailors in the first cutter for an all
night cruise up the Hudson river.
The cutter was rugged with foremost
and mainmast. Wind and tide were ia
vorable, and excellent speed was made
all the way up the river. AT midnight
Mr.. raven observed a storm gathering
over the mountains astern. Croton Point,
Just beyond Sing Sing, was his objective
point, and a race between the storm and
the cutter began. About one O'Clock the
cutter glided into Croton Creek and an
chored. with the storm then almost over
head.
IMPRovISED TENTS.
The members of the crew expected
that they were to make a landing, but,
like good sailors, refrained from asking
questions, though they frequently cast
anxious looks. first at the black clouds
and then at the inperturable face of
the commander. who sat in the stern
sheets. Mr.. Craven had no intention of
landing, however. He had a nice little
trIck to teach hts men, and the condi-
lions could not have been more favor
able If they had been manufactured to
order. Sails were taken in, the masts
were hoisted from their sockets n
placed lengthwise in the boat. The
crew continued to cast anxious glances
at the darkened sky. Then MIR. Craven
proceeded to unfold his plan.
Oars were placed in the sockets where
the masts stood, from which he5yards
were stretched taut fore and aft. Then
the mainmast and foremost We're placed
among the gunwales on each side. The
mainsail and foresail We're stretched over
the boat, with the halyard as a support
in the centre, and secured at the sides,
covering the boat entirely and affording
shelter for the entire crew. The quick
ness of the operation, it's simplicity and
completeness surprised as well as de-
lighted the crew. The boat was prac-
vas the young fe'lioW W D We're as sns Secure cure
from the storm as thick duck and tar
paulin could make them
AND THE RAIN DESCENDED.
The sails had been no sooner secured
than the rain began to fall. 1t con-
tinued to fall all night. but under the
p perm Hadnq them ait to ih resf til dawn MT; cF When
the sunlight again came out. Masts
and sails We're reset and a landing was
made on a beach hard by, where Com,
breakfast. The return trip was a pleas
ant one and quickly made. The. Ports
mouths whaleboat, commanded by En-
sign Long and manned by a crew, made
a run yesterday to Fort Lee. The cut
ter and whaleboat again swung from
the Portsmouth's davits early last even
ing.
The Jersey City and Newark divisions
have received orders for Their first bat
talon drill on board the Portsmouth
Wednesday evening.
It is expected thai the formal cere-
mony of placing the ship in commission
will take place next Saturday after,
noon. Governor Werts and his staff will
be present to officially accept the ship
and inspect the Reserves. A number of
prominent New York and New Jersey
officials will also be present on invita-
ton.
The national ensign will then be I'M
furled for the first time on board the
ship and as the stars and stripes are
broken at the peak, the crew will pre-
sent arms. VA salute will be fired from
a gun and the band will plan THE Star
Spangled Banner"