The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-07-14
R. I. Naval Reserves Set
tied in Camp.
Ensign Taft of This City Has
Been Appointed Adjutant.
On Long Island With the Reserves
From New York and Conn.
rpsolai to The News.
GARDENERS Island,

Monday, july 13, '96.
II was under clear skies, a light breeze
and a seasickening ground swell that tho
tr oop ship "Long Island" better known
as the mail steamer OF the Long Island
and New England Steamboat Company,
pulled out OF Newport Harbor yesterday
noon amid the shrIeking OF whistles and
the cheering OF hundreds, carrying
aboard the Rhode Island Naval Reserve
Ba,all.cn under command OF Commander
w. McCarty Little on their maiden cruise
to Garoiuer,s Island, the rendezvous of
the New York and Connecticut reserves.
Everything aboard ship had the spic
and span nentuess, SO characteristic OF the
quarter navy and the manner in which
the men carried themselves, respecting
their officers and keeping clear OF the
greater deck, reflect great deal OF credit
upon them and predicts that the organi-
zation from Little Rhody" will be able
TO compare iavorably with the reserves
OF either of her sister States.
On taking command of the ship Com
mandor Little divided the Providence,
Bristol and Newport divisions into three
separate watches, giving each division an
hour instead OF the regulation four hour
trick on the way TO the Island. Special
attention was given 10 the six small boats
heng hauled by the troop ship. On the
way from Providence 10 Newport the
small boats had caused considera BILE trou-
ble and loss or time but on les wing the har-
bor men from each division manned their
respective boats and watch OF six seamen
in charge OF Junior officer was de-'
tached aft prepared to act IN case OF an
met with on the run TO the encampment
grounds.
There were two special features that
enlvened the trip. The first was the
presentation to each man and officer OF
the Providence division OF an enamelled
naval reserve remnant by Coxswain Blk
bv OF the Bixby Silver Company, shortly
before the steamer arrived at Bristol. Ii
was pretty bit OF sentiment and SO
highly appreciated that three times the
regular Providence cry rang out in his
honor. The second Incident was some
what OF a different nature. In brief, 1t
was an obstacle known as "Jude."
Point Judith is its proper name on the
map but as long as II proved too much
for O score or more of the amateur seamen
and laid them on the sick list any old
old name sufiiced. Before Gardiner s Is
land had been reached, however, the
mon had fully recovered their wonted
spirits and when they disem barked they
were as jolly and rugged looking ser
of jack tars as ever set foot on Mother
Earth.
The Providence company is somewhat
"grcen" owing to its youth as far as
tactics go but la naval etiquette 1t proved
TO be far and above the Newport and
Bristol divisions.
Before the disem barkment OF the battal-
ion Commodore Little appointed ensign
Orray Taft of the Providence division aid
and battalion adjutant The lunch furn-
ished on board by Caterer Tiliinghast
was OF excellent quality and thoroughly
enjoyed by the men.
At six O'Clock tne.Long Island hove to
off GARDENERS Island and in the course OF
an hour the disem barkment OF the l06 men
aud officers composing tho Rhode Island
Battalion took place.
The Rhode Island men are eucamped
in three streets, Newport, Providence and
Bristol and their tents are pitched be-
tween the New York and Connecticut re-
serves. Until late at night the work OF
setting up the tents continued. Long
after taps had been sounded III the adj
jouiniug commands, the twinkling of
lanterns. the shouts and commands OF
officers and the working OF the men could
be seen and heard in the Rhode Island
division. At last, however, the hard
work of the first day bad been finished
and nothing but the low cry of the
sentries calling the hours and the tinkling
oi the bells aDoard the three men of war
laying of the island broke the silence.
Considerable distress for lack of drink
ing water was experienced on reaching
the island but in short order the break
ers brought ny the Providence company
were available end the mems thirst was
slIeviated bit.
At $3.50 O'Clock this morning revcille
sounded and the drst days work In camp
2 recan.
The men are in lrst-class condition
despite the trying ordeal OF the first Gay
out and will probably be given consider
able hard work this morning and after
noon aboard one of the men-of-war lying
OF the island.