The times., 1898-06-29
NAVAL OFFICERS UNIFORMS
They Are Items of SoIicitude and
- - EyDense.

IncJ are Items 0I ANA
r Expense.
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 10 top of inseam of
trousers. There is a 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 fiat gutta per-
cha buttons, and a standing collar. The
collar edges of the coat were trimmed
with lustrous black mohair braid, one
and a quarter inches wide, laid on fiat.
Beside 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 buttoned.
Commodore Dewey wore a pair of
trousers with stripe of gold lace down
their outer seam one inch in width. The
commodore's rank was shown by his
braid on the sleeves. Being a commodore
he had silver star and a silver foul an
chor on each side of the collar. On the
sleeve was a two-inch broad braid with
gold star above. On his head the hero
of Manila had a new style of 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 Cap
tain, Dewey went TO his tailor in Wash
ington to have his clothes retrimmed
for his promotion in rank, as far as pos
sible. He was forced TO buy full-dress
coat and a frock coat for his rank of
commodore and also cap. The latter
cost $15
No swell who walks up Connecticut
Avenue with an income of from $40 600
to $4,000 a year. is whit more particu-
lar 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 a naval officer One of
the first things that a cadet is taught is
to keep his uniforms in good condition.
He must have a number of them for spe-
cial occasions. The regulations of the
Navy are most strict and exactlng in re-
gard 10 the dress of las officers 1t takes
most of a young officers salary TO keep
himself looking as his superior officer
thinks he should appear.
Naval officers are 50 per cent more par
ucular about the making of their uni
forms than those of the Army. The rea-
son is plain. Naval officers are continual
ly cruising about the world and may
enter a foreign port at any time. In
order 10 uphold the honor of the country
which they represent they must be fitly
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 it's officers.
After everything had been point
ed 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. stationary washstands and other
conveniences were all well enough. But
1t was really the clothes chests which
caught the fancy of the officers most.
When the United States navel officers
lost their belongings in the terrible
storm at Samoa several years ago,
bill was introduced to reimburse them.
Estimates were asked from the 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 decreased or increased,
according to the rank. The wearing ap-
parel of a lieutenant was figured at
81 800 that of an ensign was fixed at
about s2. 600.
There is a tailor in Washington who
has been supplying the uniforms for ma
val officers for nearly fifty years. When
Capt Dewey was promoted to commo-
dore 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.
AZ want everything exactly according
to regulations" Dewey told the man of
the goose and shears. Fix it up as
quick as you can. and have it as we'll as
YOU cam But above all, be careful that
YOU make no mistake in regard TO the
l should not have had the trouble or
coming to see you and spending some
more money"
The tailor in question said that Admi-
| raj Porter while pretending not to be SO,
was a most particular man in regard TO
| his dress. 1t would have to mt him eN-
| actly. When he became admiral at the
| GeaUh OF AuIHlTdi IC HeiNi an
| entire fuIl-dress outfit made. This cost,
| including the chapeau, $765. The chapeau
| and coat had oak leaves on them. His
| trousers were gold laced, and his gold
sword belt was worked in oak leaves. His
| epaulets alone cost S175
He was a great man for joke, Adj
mfral 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 should take his coat and
exchange it for that of the first midship-
man who came into my place. He said
he knew he would get the best of the
| bargain.
az was at the house one day, waiting
/ to take his order, when rne card of a
representative of magazine which wish
| ed 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 while, and then re-
| marked that he knew of some one who
was more competent TO write on the SUBJ
| then told that If he would wait few
weeks-it was May at the time-the ca
| dets would graduate at the Naval Acad-
emy, and any MILDLY was more compe-
tent to treat the subject, or so considered
| himself"
Through ParIor Car to Atlantic City
via Pennsylvania Railroad.