Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-03-15
MARINES LEAVE FOR DUTY
Detachment of Sixty for Service on Columbia
and Minneapolis.
Activity mt the Navy Yard-Recruftinx
Going On and Guns nefnE
Rapidly Completed.

A detachment of about sixty marines, in
charge of Lieut.. Fuller. left Washington
this morning to go on the Columbia and
minneapolis. at League Island 1t was
stated that they left by special train
over the Pennsylvania railroad for their
destination. 1t was further stated that
thirty of these, who were from the navy
yard, would be detailed to the Minneapolis
and the remainder to the Columbia. Lieu5.
Moore, who was detailed as executive Off
Ger OF the Columbia, left this morning
Col Haywood, the commandant of the
Marine Corps, today made five details OF
marines for cruisers now being repaired or
ready for commission. There are two
drafts Of forty-five each for the Philadcl-
phia and the Charleston, at San Francisco.
one OF hfty-two for the Newark at Nor
folk, and two of thirty each for the CO.
IL mbia and Minneapolis.
The recruiting office recently opened at
the navy yard is for seamen ordinary sea-
men and machinists. The officer in charge
SAID this morning that there were many
applications for enlistment, and while the
men came up to physical requirements
they could hardly stand the technical tests.
On this account but few have been so far
enlisted
The Requirements.
The requirements for a candidate for en-
listment machinist are varied. As laid
down by the bureau of navigation they
as follows:
a candidate for enlistment as a machin-
list must be a machinist by trade, must
know the names and uses of the various
parts of marine engines and boilers, and
must be able to perform work with various
tools in a machine shop, including bench
work.
He must be able to write legibly and
must understand arithmetic.
He must be physically sound, and at the
date of first enlistment must be not less
than twenty-one nor mora than thrty-five
years of age.
Machinists who have had 10 experience
at sea with marine engines will be enlisted
IS "Machinists, second class" at $40 per
month.
Machiniats VINO have had experience at
sea with marine engines for one year may
be enlisted as Machinists, first Glass; at
500 per month.
No person will be enlisted as chief ma
chinst Unless he holds a permanent ap-
pointment as such.
The examination Of candidates for enlist
merit as machinlStS, regarding their kEowl-
edge of engines and boilers, must be ma lie
in the engine rooms of ships; and regarding
THAR knowledge of machine work in the
workshops of navy yards.
Chief machnists will nave charge CT en-
CINE room watches, and will be paid so per
month. Machinists, first class, will, if quail
fled, be given charge of an engine room
watch when there are not a sufficient num-
fern this duty.
Machnists, second class, will be assia ned
to duty as watch tenders and oilers. All
machinists VIII perform sucn other duties
as may be assigned them.
Work on the Guns.
Work On the guns is being pushed forward
as rapidly as possible, and there was no
cessation even for Sunday. 1t was stated
to Star reporter that more attention is
now being paid to the four and five-inch
guns than to the others. These are of the
rapid-fire character. There will probably
be a hundred of them ready for use in a
short time. There are several Of the big
thrteen-inch size, which can be finished
with but little difficulty, it was also de-
clared.
The tug Triton. belonging TO the govern
ment, is brought into requisition frequently
rev at the navy yard. She is used to con-
vey guns down to Indian Head to be test
ed or TO Sheridan's Point, where they may
be needed.
Officers are brstling about the yard con-
tinually, marines are being drilled and the
few recruits who are there are being ini-
tiated by the sergeants into the mysteries
of gun play. In the shops there is hum
and a roar, as the guns are shaped into
position, and the workmen have no time to
talk with visitors, even were they not
prevented from doing SO by the strict rules
posted up conspicuously
The men about the yard are of the opin-
ion that there will be war. and most of
them are looking anxiousy for it, as they
say they wish to have a chance to see real
fighting. The officers are more reserved,
but it can be easily seen that they think as
do the men, and are looking forward with
delight to a brush with the enemy.