The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-10-13
HOW TO GET IN THE NAVY
Not as Officer, but as Apprentice, Sea-
man or Mechanic.


recruiting stations are to be estab-
lished at Charleston, Savannah and
several other cities along the South
Atlantic coast. Lieut.. Commander
Hawley, Of the navy, who has charge
of the recruiting branch of the SER
vice, has made the necessary recon-
mendation, in his annual report to the
Secretary Of th" Navy, and the latter
will incorporate said recommends
tions in his annual report to the Pres
ident and Congress.
The establishment of recruiting
stations in these Southern cities may
or may not be Influenced by the pros
pect of trouble with Spain, but at the
navy department, where made care
full inquiry, it is said that the desire
is to secure additions to the service
from Southern and Western States,
where native born American men and
boys are more readily obtained.
Lieut.. Commander Hawley has just
returned from trip to the West and
Northwest and he was greatly en-
couraged at his success in securing
enlistments for the navy.
The South has never had any en-
couragement in this line before and
those men and. boys from that section
of the country who have found their
way into the service, have had to
seek enlistment at some of the North
ern recruiting stations. The navy is
in need of more men to properly man
her great ships of war, now construc-
ted and in course Of construction.
The force is inadequate to marked
degree, and it often happens that one
big ship has to be put out of commits
sion so that her crew may be divided
and transferred. to two smaller ships
needed for immediate service. 1t is
estimated that at least four thousand
additional men will be required to fur
nish all the ships ready for sea with
good working crews, sufficient to han
die them in active service.
American sailors for American war
ships seems to be the intention of
those in charge ofsthe naval branch Of
the government. That policy does
not originate with the present admin
istration, as it seems to have its in
cention about the time the country
was thrilled with the enthusiasm at
tending the famous cruise Of the noble
"white squadron around the world,
commanded by Admiral Walker.
Prior to the advent of the white
squadron" more than 80 per cent Of
tie sailors on board of American war
ships were foreigners; many of them
could not speak our language. The
patriotism aroused by the white
squadron" and the discussion Of naval
topics in the great newspapers Of the
United States, soon made itself ap-
patent at the various naval recruiting
stations in Boston, New York, League
Island, Pennsylvania, and Mare Is
land, California American men and
boys visited the ships Of the white
squadron whenever opportunity of
fered and soon learned that the navy
is not the resort for outlaws and hard
cases, as was once thought to be the
case. These magnificent floating en-
gines of war are equipped with all the
modern appliances for convenience and
health-giving comforts, and they offer
very desirable home for men and
boys who are ambitious to lead sea-
faring life. The result has been that
the percentage of alien sailors on
American war ships has been reduced,
and to-day about go per cent. of the
enlisted men in the navy are Ameri-
can born citizens. 1t is the intention
of the Secretary Of the Navy to still
further increase the attractions in the
service for native born Americans.
The following official circulars, rcla-
tive to enlistmcDts, will furnish all
the desirable information to those who
contemplate entering the navy
ENLISTMENT OF MEN.
/. Men physically and otherwise
qualified are enlisted in the navy as
follows:
PAY PER
RATING. MONTH
Seamcn ... ....... S24 %
| Ordinary scamen ........... ~ w
Landsmen. ..... ............ 10 w
Shipwrights. ................. 20 w
Blacksmiths. ................. Oh OO
Plumbers and filters ........ 10 OO
Sailmakers 25 90
Painters 80 90