The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-27
JERSEY CIqY'S TARS
Highly Commended BY the
Government Naval
Authorities
MADE 4 VERY CREDIYABLls SHOWING
Report Of the officers Of the .. 5. $.
Raleigh on Which the
Boys Drilled.
JADE 4 VERY CREDITABLB SHOWING


The officers of the United States steam
ship Montgomery, upon which the Bat
talon of the West Naval Reserve were
drilled. last summer. have made their
report to the Navy Department. The
Battalion Of the East Is composed of the
Jersey City. Newark and Engineer Di-
visions. In the report the officers say
that details of the Battalion came aboard
the Montgomery on July 1G and II. Then
the report continues
This duty performed by the militia
was entirely voluntary, in view of the
fact that the Battalion is to make a
cruise in the Portsmouth toward the end
of this month, and the men could not be
spared from their ordinary pursuits for
any longer time. The details came on
board in the late afternoon. after busi-
ness hours, and received such instruction
as could be given in the limited time,
On both days the commanding officer
OF the Battalion, Commander Irving, New
Jersey Naval Militia, was present with
his men, and the character of the i~nstruc-
ton was referred to him and given in ac-
cordarce with the wishes he expressed.
As the organization is a recent one and
1890 At~o ~ experience WIN ma
val vessels. the work on both days con-
sisted for the most part of instruction
n drill at the battery. All the guns
and their mounts were thoroughly ex-
planned as regards their working. and
short drills were also given. The men
were not h same on both days, which
necessitated a repetition on the second
day of the first days work. In addition
to the work at the guns on the second
day, those who had been on board the
day before were shown about under the
guidance of the ships petty officers and
given as much general instruction as
time permitted On both days a detail
from the Engineers Division and its
commanding officer came on board and
were shown through the engine and fire
rooms by the engineer ~oficers of the
ship, and instructed in the routine duties
and management of the engines and boil
ers at sea. On the evening of July II.
two petty officers and eight men were in
structed on board in night signaling,
using the electric night signals and
search lights for the purpose. Six officers
and ~forty-four petty officers and men, in
Guiding one officer n twenty-three men
OF the Engineer Division, were on board
the first afternoon, July u.s.; on the. next
afternoon eleven officers and about thirty
men, including one officer and about if-
teen men of the Engineer Division, were
on board. Eleven officers and about
sixty men were on board on one or both
days.
The professional knowledge of the men
VINO came under our observation was not
advanced. Under the circumstances. how
ever-the youth of the Organization, the
~ntiquated material with which they
have to do. and the fact that they have
never before served on board a man-of-
War-they made a very creditable show
ing and gave promise of Improvement
with longer service and better opportuni-
ties. Recently the men, after business
hours, have been engaged in assisting the
ringers who have been fitting standing
and running rigging or the Portsmouth.
The uniform of the officers is a close
copy of the naval-service uniform. That
of the men whom we saw was the white
overall uniform of the Navy. Laxity
was observed in the uniformity of mead
n root gear, some men wearing watch
caps Instead of white CAP, cover worn by
the majority, and some wearing yellow
shoes.
Very limited opportunity was offered
for observing the proficiency of the pet
ty officers, for almost the entire work
was as new to them as to the men under
their charge. The coxswsLins showed lack
81 q experience IN handling their boats in
~ "a LIZ 1dl1OlCu
their men very well, as did the other
petty officers. In view of their short ser
vice, we do not consider the lack of pro-
hciency of petty officers or men as at all
dtscreditable, but only what was to be
expected. The spirit show by all was
admirable.
1.-THE probable field of usefulness in
time of wal would be local, in such work
IS the manning Of harboi, defence vessels
and torpedo boats, mining operations, es-
tablishing and keeping up lines of com
munication with the fleet by signals or
fast vessels, and perhaps the manning of
defence batteries. In all such work
they could retain to a considerable degree
their own organization and serve with
their own officers, ever though under the
direction of regular officers; and, more
over, their local knowledge would be Of
great service. We do not believe that
results would ensue from any at
tempt to fill out the compliments of ma
vessels from the RANKS of the militia
by splitting up their own organization.
beyond the mere gaining of recruits who
had some previous military and ma
training. Should, however. it be
deemed necessary to draft the militia
men into the regular service we consider
that 1t would be the best policy to send
units of not less han a division, rather
than individuals. Their availability
would be also greater III the vicinity Of
their homes"
LL-.-M-Ma e-&t