The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-04
WHALEBOAT AND RAPID GUN.
A NUCLEUS FOR sAvANNAH's LOCAL.
NAVY.

These Arc to he Followed Later by q
Monitor or other Ship-'The Pass
sale Matter Not Yet COncIuded--As-
sistant Secretary Roosevelt Appre-
ciates the Good Work of the sa-
vannah boys.
Washington, d. c.. Sept S.-The savan-
nah division of the naval militia is to have
for immediate use, a whale boat and a.
modern rapid firing one-pounder gun.
The order was issued to-day by Assist
ant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt and
the delivery will be made at once. This
gratifying result was brought about dur
ing personal interview this morning be-
tween Lieut. II. s. Colding, of the Savan-
nah reserve. and Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt.
Lieut. Coldng arrived here this morn
ing on his way to Saratoga to meet his
family He called at the navy department.
to confer with Mr.. Roosevelt in the inter-
est of the Savannah reserves.
Lieut. Colding disclaimed any intention
of interfering in anyway with the adj
vancement and progress of the Brunswick
reserves but expressed a warm interest
In the Savannah division The whole sub
ject was gone over very thoroughly, and
it is evident that Brunswick will have to
brace up and show marked improvements
in its naval militia If it is to retain the Gus
tody of the monitor Passalc.
Mr.. Roosevelt has been looking over the
list of vessels to see If II is possible to find
an available ship TO send to Savannah.
Should he conclude to give Brunswick an
other trial and allow her to retain the
possession of the Passaic for another
year. the monitor Catskin, a sister ship to
the Passaic now a the League Island
navy yard, is the only craft that might be
| used for the purpose.
Florida, and several other states en-
| gagged in building up a naval militia SER
vice. are without the use of ships and
they have made application to the navy
department for the first available vessel.
Under the circumstances, Mr.. Roosevelt
| cannot see his way clear to give Geor-
gla two ships for her naval
reserves, while other states are without
| one.
Some very animated correspondence has
| passed between Mr.. Roosevelt and the
Brunswick people on tie subject, and the
| Brunswick reserves have been given to
understand that If they would have aid
| and encouragement from the navy de-
| partment, they must submit to inspection
and report whether adverse or otherwise.
1t was during the discussion OF the sub
ject that Lieut. Colding referred to the
zeal and energy of the Savannah reserves,
in spite of the fact that they are without
boats or practice ship. He suggested that
If the Savannahians had a boat or rapid
firing gun, they might make greater prog
ress pending the ordering, of a ship to
Savannah.
1t did not take Mr.. Roosevelt long to
ascertain that there IS an available whale
boat at the Norfolk navy yard. and
rapid-fring gun at the New York yard.
A hurried consultation was held with the
officers in charge of the construction and
ordnance divisions, and in few minutes
the formal orders came back to Mr..
Roosevelt for his signature. He handed
them to Lieut.. Coldng, saying:
II take this method Of emphasizing the
departments desire to encourage the Sa-
vannah reserves in their good work. You
can now have boat drills and gun prac-
tice until we can do something more for
you"
The promptness with which the result
was accomplished almost overpowered
Lieut.. Coldlng, and he left the department
delighted with his mornings work. He
says the use of a whale boat and a rapid
firing gun will be of greater benefit to
the Savannah reserves at present than
a monitor. The reserves have a
boat house, and they have been exceeding
ly anxious to get possession Of a rapid
firing gun
This does not close the incident, for the
Secretary Of the Navy reserves the right
20 say where the government vessels, loan
ed to the various states, shall be located,
and also reserves the right to make in
spection and report the naval militia OF
the several states. notwithstanding the
protest Of Representative Brantley and
others, the Brunswick reserves must con-
form to the naval regulations, in connec-
ton with the loan of the Passaic, or she
will be taken away and sent where she
will be better appreciated