New-York tribune., 1898-01-23

Government dockyard is being extended and
improved it being the evident intention 10 make
the yard capable Of repairing any class OF Ves-
sells.
The Alliance weighed anchor on september
90 and the passage to Funchal Madeira, was
pleasant throughout. During the run the boys
were exercised ut their first target practice'
using sub-calibre small arms and firing AT
target towcd off the quarter. She anchored OF
Funcha about sunset on September 70 hnclnS
the United States ship Saratoga. the PennsyI-
vnnia schoo,sl.ip lying in the roads. The port
was sadteG AZ coIOIs on Monday morning. Inc
United States Consul visited the ship receiving
a salute Of seven guns. Calls made on the cVh
and military Governors were returned, and
these officers were appropriately sauted on TAX
ing their departure. Having received notice
from the Portuguese authorities that September
2S would bc celebrated by them a national
holiday. being the anniversary Of the births OF
Their Majcstes the King and Queen of Portu-
gal the Alliance was dressed at sunrise in
"rainbow" with the Portuguese ensign at the
main and at noon national salute was fired.
On the invitation of the Governor, Commander
Manney and the officers Of the ship participated
in the ceremony held at the Cathedral and the
reception at the palace. The apprentices were
granted afternoon liberty ashore
DETAILS OF DRILL WORK.
On October the Alliance started on her voy-
age from Madeira. bound for Yorktown. va.
the ship being put in course 10 make the
trade wind belt, but she was driven north' coal
was short. food got low. and. finally. after forty
six days in the open ocean, she was steamed
into St Thomas West Indies. After taking IN
supplies the boys engaged in great gun prac-
ticc having permission Of the Danish authori-
ties to shoot at rock beyond the harbor. Key
West was reached. and here the first nall from
home for oyer three months was secured. There
was more target practice around Key West un-
til three weeks later the ship departed for
Tompkinsvillc. Staten Island, sighting Sandy
Hook about daylight on December -, IN Il
snowstorm. after a cruise of five months and
twenty-six days four months and two days OF
which were at sea Commander Manney re-
p.rts that during the cruise the boys were thor
oughly exercised at drills with spars and sails,
great guns, muskets. revOlvers. broadswordS, at
bayonet drill. in company. battalion and as
skirmishers in boats under sail and oars. They
learned the mechanism and care Of their arms
signalling by naval and international code
Very's night signals and the Army and Navy
code: differing and stOpperng." knottng and
splicing using palm and needle, heavnS the
lead and the care Of their clothing. Several
were practisod at splicing wire rope. and some
Of them made irst-cass splcers All Of tho
apprentices stood tricks at the wheel ana
many Of them developed into good helmsmen.
OF the apprentices. IA passed the examna-
tion necessary in order To be rated apprentices
Of the second class, and it is recommended that
seven of these be sent to the training station
to compete for the Bailey Medal TWO ought
to be discharged for inaptitude. as they are
worthless to the service. Eighteen apprentices
failed to pass the required examination, and 1t
is thought that ten Of these should be retained
on board for another cruise. and that eight be
discharged as being of no value to the service.
Although IA Of the boys passed, Commander
| Manncy is confident that it would be to their
| benefit and to the good OF the service that they
| should make a second cruise. for he says that
| the knowledge acquired BY the boys on their
first cruise is "crammed" into them. the time
being insufficient for them to learn thoroughly
! what is expected Of them.
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