The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-16
UNIFORMS IN THE NAVY.
Heavy SweIIs of the Sea Are Uncle
Snm's Men.
From the Washington Post.

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 a slit over each hip
extending on the right side as high as he
sword belt. 1t was single breasted. with
fly front. fitted with plain fat gutta per
cha buttons, and a standing collar. The
collar edges of the coat were trimmed
with lustrous black mohair braid, IA
inches wide laid on fiat. Beside this, at a
distance of one-eigth of an inch, was
shown a narrow black silk braid one
eighth of an inch wide, with an overland
turn three-eighths of an inch in diameter.
II is needless to state that the lady read
ers will understand this much better than
the male ones. The coat was worn closely
buttoned.
Commodore Dewey wore pair of trous-
ers with a stripe of gold lace down their
outer seam one inch in width. The com
modore's rank was shown by his shoulder
straps, collar devices and braid on the
sleeves. Being a commodore, he had sill
yer star and a silver foul anchor on each
side of the collar. On the sleeve was
Pinch broad braid with gold star above.
On iskhead the hero of Manila had a new
gold ornaments, consisting of anchors, sill
yer shield with eagles above. The visor
was trimmed with gold oak leaves.
Last December, Commodore. then Capt.
Dewey, went 10 his tailor in Washington
to have mis- clothes retrimmed, for mis-
promotion in rank, as far as possible. He
was forced 10 buy full-dress coat and
frock coat, for his rank of commodore and
also a cap. The latter cost SIS.
No swell who walks up Connecticut ave
nue. or the Avenue, with an income OF
from $4,000 to $4,000 a year, is a whit more
particular in regard to the selection of his
suits than an ensign in the navy. The
chances are he has more of them, but
they are of no better quality and cost no
more each than do those of the naval
officer. One of the first things a naval
cadet is taught is 10 keep his uniform in
good condition. He must have a number
of them for special occasions. The regula-
tons of the navy are more strict and ex-
acting in regard to the dress of its Off
GERS. 1t takes most of the young officers
salary to keep himself looking as his SUI
perior officer thinks he should appear.
Naval officers are 50 per cent more par
ticular about the making of their uni-
forms than those of tISe army. The rea-
son is plain. Naval officers are contin-
ually cruising about the world, and may
enter a foreign port at any time In or
der to uphold the honor of the country
which they represent they must be fifty
attired. and according TO the regulations,
which fill a good-sized pamphlet, laid
down by the department, he must have at
least four or five different coats, such as
the special full dress fun 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 Wash
ington several months ago, il was ex-
-ofY apI IN 5-fh rI,fr
in the navy that was better fitted for the
accommodation of its officers. After ev-
erything had been pointed out the young
officers would point with pride to the
chests underneath the hunks, provided for
the uniforms, SO that no possible damage
could result to them. Electric fans, bells,
stationary Wristbands and other conven-
fences were all well enough. But il was
really The clothes chests which caught the
fancy of the officers most.
When the United States naval officers.
lost their belongings in the terrible storm
at Samoa several years ago, a bill was
introduced to reimburse them. Estimates
were asked from tailors for the cost of
an officers suit. 1t was figured out that
that of a lieutenant could be taken as the
basis and the amount could be decreased
or increased according to rank. The
wearing apparel of a Lieutenant was fig
ured at ST. 355. That of an ensign was fix
at about $1,000
There is a tailor in Washington who has
been supplying the uniforms for naval of
ficers for nearly fifty years. When Capt.
Dewey was promoted to commodore and
left for the Asiatic station in December.
he went to this tailor, who has been fit
ting him out ever since he has been in
the navy.
Il want everything exactly according to
regulations Dewey tolc the man of the
goose and shears. Fix it up as quick as
you can, and have it as well as you can
But above all be careful that you make
no mistakes in regard to the regulations
If. hadn't been promoted I should not
have had the trouble of coming to see
you and spending some more money. In
| speaking of this the tailor remarked:
Il think it a pity that they could not
have waited until he returned home to
give his promotion. I'll bet when he goes
to have his uniform changed, according
to his rank of rear admiral these heath
en- over there in Asia will make a botch
of it,
The tailor in question said that Admiral
Porter, while pretending not TO be so, was
a most particular man in regard to his
dress. II would have to fit him exactly.
When he became admiral, at the death of
Admiral Farragut, he had an entire full
dress suit made. This cost, including the
chapeau, $3.50. The chapeau and coat had
oak leaves on them. His trousers were
gold-laced, and his gold sword belt was
worked an oak leaves. His epaulets alone
cost S175.
He was a great man for a joke, Admi-
raj Porter was" said the tailor, who was
close to him when the admiral lived in
Washington. HE sent for me one day to
/ see about some clothes, and told me that
he would make a bargain with me. This
was that l should take his coat and ex-
change it for that Of the first midshipman
who came into my place. He said he
knew that he would get the best Of the
bargain.
Il was at his house one day waiting 10
take his order, when the card of repre-
sentative of a magazine which wished to
publish an article, giving his views on
some naval question, was sent up. was
in the room with the admiral when the
magazine man was admitted. He told the
admiral what he wanted, and asked him
when he could do it. Admiral Porter
thought for awhile, and then remarked
that he knew of some one who was more
| competent to write on the subject than
himself. The questioner was then told
that II he would wait few weeks-it was
May at the time-the cadets would grad