The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1896-07-29
HINTS FOR THE TARS
Assistant Secretary McAdoo
Reviews the Condition
of the Naval
Militia.
VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS MADE
Old Monitors Will Be Utilized for
the organizations-Tri-
State Camp.

WASHINGTON, JURY 20, 1SS6.-Ar IN
teresting report of the Naval Militia of
New Jersey. in connection with the state
ments OF Assistant Secretary McAdoo as
to the efficiency of the entire naval mill
tia of the country, has been received at
the Navy Department from the Naval
Board which inspected that organization
The drills were had on board the Mont
gomery at Hoboken on two days, the
work consisting mostly of instruction and
drill at battery. The period available did
not permit much work. Some instruction
wac also given in night signalling.
The Board says:-.4The professional
knowledge of the men who came under
our observation was not advanced. Tn
der the circumstances. however, the
youth of the organization, the Anticipated
material with which they have to do, and
the fact that they had never before
served on board a man-of-war, they made
a very creditable showing and gave prom
and better opportunities. Recently the
men, after business hours, have been en-
gagged in assisting the riggers who have
been fitting standing and running rigging
on the Portsmouth,
Speaking of the uniforms, the Board
says:-'Laxity was observed in the uni
formity of head and footgear. some men
wearing watch caps instead of the white
cap cover worn by the majority, and
some wearing yellow shoes"
Little opportunity was afforded fhe
Board to judge of the proficiency of the
petty officers, but they handled their men
very. we'll. The spirit shown by all was
admirable. The Board believes the prob
able field of usefulness of the brigade
would be local, in which work hey could
retain their own organization, and where
their own knowledge of localities would
be of value.
The work suggested for the brigade In
cludes manning of harbor defense vessels
and torpedo boats, mining operations, es-
tablisning and keeping up lines Of com
munication with the feet by signals or
fast vessels. and perhaps the manning
of coast defense batteries.
The Board adds-"We do not believe
that good results would ensue from any
attempt to fill out the compliments of
naval vessels from the ranks of the mill
tia by splitting up their own erganiza-
ton, beyond the mere gaining of recruits
who have had some previous military and
MAYA training"
Will iSSdlQ ~ tflc llSPGCllCH VI II
organization as a whole the Secretary
says that the exercises have been highly
successful.
The animating purpose was to COM
week, and this was effected with praise
worthy success by the naval officers
charged with its execution. To Admiral
Bunce was left the selection of the ships
to be detailed for the service. He was
under general instructions to give his aid
in Carrying out the programme
tour by Lieutenant Niblack. who has
been specially charged with the care
of naval militia affairs in the Navy De-
Island and carefully examined the old
monitors laid UP there. with the purpose
Of selecting the best of them for the
use of the South Carolina naval militia,
and another for New Orleans.
The selection was made. but, as the
craft in their present condition are
utterly unseryiceable. the department
will be obliged to ask Congress for an
appropriation at the next session where
with to put e In order for use.
When these are turned over the depart
ment will have assigned nine old naval
vessels. mainly monitors, in such geo.
graphical sections as to be of the great
est possible use in war time.
Going to Camden. Mr.. McAdoo in
spectsd the New Jersey battalion of
the West Id These were commanded
by an ex.naval officer, and on board the
monitor Ajax, made a fine showing.
At Hoboken another detachment was
reviewed on the old sloop of war Ports
| mouth, and then a run was made over
the Long Island Sound to Orient Point.
Shelter Island and Gardeners Island.
with the design of selecting a site for
the annual tri-State encampmenf, which
was held later on in the season.
Through the Kindness of Mr.. Gardiner
the entire island of thai name was
| placed at the disposal of the naval
Pending the beginning of the encamp-
ment there. Mr.. McAdoo and Lieutenant
Niblack left the Dolphin, upon which
they had been taking their tour. and
went to Detroit. At that place the
| Michigan battalion naval militia board
| ed the United States steampship Michf
gan and made a run up the axes.
Coming East an inspection was made
of the Chicago Naval Militia. The tour
| terminated with a tour to GARDENERS
| Island. where they had much TO do
| personally with making the arrange
naents for the location of the camp and
| other matters. Special attention was
given to signalling. The plan of the
/ department was to ~acquaint the men
with the landmarks and perfect them
| in signal practice SO that when In other
years when the organizations are there
they may signal to each other from the
| base of Gardeners Island, and thus
| safeguard the entrance to New York
harbor-