The times., 1898-10-23

The trim steamer Fern, now riding at
anchor off the Eleventh Street wharf.
was formally turned over to the District
of Columbia Naval Reserves at 3 O'Clock
yesterday afternoon by the United States
naval authorities. The ceremony was
brief and informal. Commander Hams
boarded the Fern with an escort of naval
militiamen, and after reading the official
order transferring the steamer TO his
keeping, the Stars and Stripes were run
up to the masthead.
AT noon today there will be impressive
and picturesque ceremonies on the deck
OF the former dispatch boat The pro-
gram will consist of reading of the ar
ticles of war. saluting the colors and the
playing of patriotic airs by the newly or
ganized naval reserve band. The citizen
sailors in their new uniforms will present
neat and pleasing appearance.
Now that the District reserves have
secured the Fern as practice snip that
organization will take advantage of the
opportunity offered to prepare itself for
any active duty in the regular navy
which it may be called upon to perform.
number of practice cruises will be
arranged for Immediately. The drills
will be The same as those in the United
States navy. although, of course, the
cruises will extend only down the Po-
tomac a short distance. The District
naval reserve has a membership of about
200 men, and, owing to limited quarters
on the Fern. IL will be impossible tor
all the members to indulge in practice
drill on the vessel at one time. Details
of the men will be selected at regular in
tervaIs and put through the various
movements of a regular crew.
1t is expected that at the ceremonies
today there will be large fotilla of
small craft on the river and the acquisi-
tiOn of the Fern by the reserves will
be cordially greeted.
The Fern. during the time when she
is not engaged in practice drills. Will be
in charge OF the four storekeepers from
the United States navy assigned TO her
yesterday afternoon, and they will be
held responsible for her safekeeping
while there is no commissioned officer
on board. Commander Hams was at the
Navy Department yesterday morning
completing arrangements for putting the
vessel in commission and secured the as
SlSUfnent OF Ine IOuT JdChltS.
A feature Of the exercises today will
be the appearance of the naval battalion
band This band is composed of enlisted
men in the reserve. and has reached a
high degree of efficiency.
The Fern was assigned to the reserves
by a recent order of Secretary Long
After the cessation of hostilities with
Spain the Navy Department announced
that it would take the vessel out OF COM
mission. and stated that 1t was the in
tention to sell the craft When this was
ascertained by Commander Hains and
other members of the reserve they i'm
mediately made application for the as
signment of the craft for the use OF
the local militia, which was readily
granted by Secretary Long
Col. ]. A Dapray. acting adjutant gen.
eral of the District reserves, made the
formal application 10 Secretary Long.
and In reply he received a letter an
nouncing that under the provisions OF
the law of August. 1894, 10 increase the
efficiency of the naval reserves of the
country, the assignment Of the Fern
would be legitimate. He gave the neces-
sary orders. and announced to Col Da-
prav that as soon as the vessel could un-
dereo certain repairs she would be turn
ed over to the local reserve.
The District reserve Is especially Srau-
fed at receiving the Fern for the reason
that the vessel took quite q prominent
part in the war and has an interesting
history The Fern is twenty years old
and for thirteen years after 1t was first
put in commission performed duty in the
lighthouse service. Seven years ago she
was assigned to the United States navy
and has performed regular duty in that
service since She is a historic craft for
the reason that aboard her were held the
sessions of the committee which investi-
gated the blowing up of the Maine. The
famous Maine investigating report was
written aboard her by Admiral Sampson
and his associates.
Although not as large as might be de-
sired. the Fern is a vessel of good dimen-
sions and is roomy and comfortable. She
is in every respect well adapted for the
service TO which she has been assigned.
The commanding officers of the District
Naval Reserve are: Commander. r. b.
Hams: lieutenant commander. W. Me-
grath: paymaster. with rank of lieuten-
ant. Sidney Bieber; lieutenant of first d.
vision. Joseph Van Fleet; lieutenant of
second division. S. G. Hopkins. lieuten-
ant. junior grade. first division. Grenville
Lewis: lieutenant junior grade. second
division. Harry A. Shepley: ensigns. first
division. L. C. Coville. Charles e. Rugers
ensigns, second division. Joseph Shepley.
John Bradbury.