The Banner-Democrat., 1898-09-17
NAVAL OFFICERS TOGS.
THEIR UNIF FoRMS ARE GORGEOUS AND
CAUSE THEM GREAT SOLIcITUDE.

CAUSE THEM GREAT SoLIclTUDE.
The Richest Swell is Not Whit More
Particular About His Suits Than is an
Ensign In the Navy-An Admiral's Full
Dress Outfit Costs S765.
When Commodore Dewey stood on
the bridge OF the flagship Olympia,
during the memorable engagement at
Manila, he wore what is known in the
navy as the ''service" coat. This is a
coat of dark navy blue cloth or serge,
shaped to the figure, to descend to top
of inseam of trousers. There is slit
over each hip extending on the right
side as high as the sword belt. 1t
was single-breasted, with fly front,
fitted with plain flat gutta percha but
tons, and standing collar. The col
lar edges of the coat were trimmed
with lustrous black mohair braid, one
and quarter inches wide, laid on fiat.
Besides this at distance of one
eighth of an inch was shown narrow
black silk braid one-eighth of an inch
wide. with an overland turn three
eighths of an inch in diameter. 1t is
needless to state that the lady readers
will understand this much better than
the male ones. The coat was worn
closely buttoped.
Commodore Dewey wore a pair of
trousers with a stripe of gold lace
down their outer seam one inch in
width. The Commodore's rank was
shown by his shoulder straps, collar
devices, and braid on the sleeves.
Being q Commodore, he had silver
star and silver foul anchor ON each
side of the collar. On the sleeve was
two-inch broad braid with gold star
above. On his head the hero of Ma
nila had a new style broad-top cap
with gold strap and gold ornaments.
consisting of anchors, silver shield
with eagle above. The visor was
trimmed with gold oak leaves.
Last December, Commodore, then
Captain, Dewey went to his tailor in
Washington to have his clothes re-
trimmed, for his promotion in rank,
as far as possible. He was forced to
buy full-dress coat and.a frock coat
for his rank of Commodore and also a
cap. The latter cost SIS.
No swell with an income of from
$4,000 to $50, 900 year, is whit
more particular in regard to the selec-
ton of his suits than an ensign in the
navy. The chances ale he has more
of them, but they are of no better
quality and cost no more each than do
those of naval officer. One of the
first things that a naval cadet is
taught is to keep his uniforms in good
condition. He must have number
of them for special occasions. The
regulations of the navy are most strict
and exacting in regard to the dress of
its officers. 1t takes most of young
officers salary to keep himself looking
as his superior officer thinks he should
appear.
Naval officers are rhfty per cent.
more particular about the making Of
their uniforms than those of the army.
The reason is plain. Naval officers
are continual1EnserAising about the
world and may enter foreign port at
any time. In order to uphold the
honor of the country which they rep
resent they must be fifty attired, and
according to the regulations, which
fill good-sized pamphlet, laid down
by the department, he must have at
least four or five different coats, such
as the special full dress, full dress,
social full dress, frock, service dress,
besides caps, chapeaux, helmets,
gloves, boots and shoes of the best
quality of special designs.
When the gunboat Helena was in
Washington several months ago it was
explained to visitors that there was
no ship in the navy that was better
fitted for the accommodation of its
officers. After everything had been
pointed out, the young officers would
point with pride to the chests under
meath the hunks provided for the uni
forms, so that no possible damage
could result to them. Electric fans,
stationary washstands, and other con-
veniences were all well enough. But
it was really the clothes chests which
caught the fancy of the officers most.
When the United States naval Of
ficers lost their belongings in the
terrible storm at Samoa several years
ago, bill was introduced to reim-
bure them. Estimates were asked
from tailors for the cost of an officers
outfit. 1t was figured out that that of
a Lieutenant could be taken as the
basis, and the amount could be de-
creased or increased, according to
rank. The wearing apparel of a Lieu
tenant was figured at $1365, that of an
Ensign was fixed at about $1050. and
the Rear Admiral's at about $4,000.
There is tailor in Washington
who has been supplying the uniforms
for naval officers for nearly fifty years.
When Captain Dewey was promoted
to Commodore and left for the Asiatic
station in December he went to this
tailor, who has been fitting him out
ever since he has been in the navy.
81 want everything exactly accord
ing to regulations, Dewey told the
man of the goose and shears. Elk
it up as quick as you can. But above
oil be careful that You make no mis-
take in regard to the regulations. If
I hadn't been promoted I should not
have had the trouble. of coming to see
you and spending some more money"
The tailor in question said that Ad-
miral Porter, while pretending not to
be so, was most particular man in