New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-10
NAVAL RESERVES IN THE STORM.
A SAD EXPERIENCE FOR SOME OF The
AMATEUR JACK TARS-HARD AT WORK
GUARDING THE NINE FIELDS.

GJARDlNG The MINE riEbbo'
After repeated disappointments the crew OF New
York Naval Reserves on board the auxiliary cruiser
Yankee were sent to yesterday.
The destination of the Yankee could not ne
learned. but the indication that she will not go
far. The cruiser will probably scurry up and down
the nearby coast for several days In order TO give
the young opportunity to get their sea legs
The Naval Reserve who complained OF the
monotony OF their life board tho New Hamp-
shire are having plenty Of excitement on board the
tugs OF the harbor patrol feet Early Sunday
morning. while the storm at its worst. the
Starbuck Just outside the Hook. The wind
was whistling al a great rate. and the rain. which
pelted down on the little tug, reinforced by
foam and waves which dashed over the sides
The Naval Reserve men stood at their post gal
anty II was n new experience for them and
though the darkness and storm were well cacu-
lated TO cause uneasiness to experienced sea-
men they were alert and watchful. suddenly
light appeared close TO a mine-sowed channel and
as quick as a fash the Starbuck had borne down
upon It, It proved to be the schooner George
Clark and stopped Just in time to prevent me
Ripping UP Of several torpedoes.
The schooner was anchored Just outside OF tho
mine fields hut the storm increased she began
to drag her anchor. and a few moments later the
tug G b. Raymond had to go TO her assistance
In IN. mean time the Starbuck making good
fight with the waves but her continued pitching
began 10 have It's effect the gallant Reserves
who. after all not yet hardened saormen
They did their best stave of the inevitable. but
a Hash OF lightning revealed white faces and
closely shut lips Then tho Starbuck gave a short
ouck lurch which had much the same effect
the sudden starting OF an elevator in a sky-scraper
building There wild scramble for the side
OF the boat and dozen heads went over the rail-
simultaneously.
At the same moment the Starbuck displayed A
signal OF distress and little later she taken
inside NJ the Hook
private method of signalling IL used on the
patrol tugs and the signals are changed every
day. The signals are made by displaying lanterns
at different positions on the tugs; In oidsr 70 pre-
vent the forts from firing OF the patrol tugs ny
mistake, General Merritt IS tod every gay What
the nature OF the signals Is 10 be for that night
and he informs the officers at the forts.
Of the patrol a tugs The tug Heath and the launch
BROOKLYN now guard the waters between Throg 3
Excelsior and the Moore while the starbuck guards
Swash Channel. Gedney Channel is protected by
Raymond The tug Dalzell Is 10 patrol the squad
ron and will carry daily reports to the New
The general work Of guarding the minc fields in
the harbor is proving more work than me Maya IVA
serves were on duty they were compelled 10 stop
seventeen vessels OF all szss and descriptions which
tried 10 enter the harbor after the prohibited hour
OF . m. on sunday night, they stopped nine.
teen vessels which were bound H. and made them
| Of these boats knew OF the regulations. but in
order time they were willing % run the
risk OF having their boats blown up
The work while heavier al night. Is also rather
lively in the DAYTIME az steamers. In their anxiety
10 make port desire TO take shorter course than
! through the regular channel as marked by the
! huoys and n they can evade the patrol boats they
try 10 slip in through Swash Channel fester-
day morning al 10 o'clock the Cromwell Line
steamer Louisiana in command OF Captain KEN
/ Bile attempted TO como UP Swash Channel. which
| is now filled with mines The patrol boat f
| Atwood saw her make the attempt and prompt
| ly turned her back and forced her to take IN.
/ out on Saturday openly defed the harbor regua-
! lions. and said that. By - he would DO as ne
pleased and he did. As a result complaint has
/ been lodged agalns; him by the officers IN charg'
OF enforcing he harbor regulations and he Will be
suspended when his steamer reaches her destlna
ton one Of the Southern ports.
/ The real busy time of the patrol feet IL from
a m 10 A. m. when the vessels which have
gathered M each end Of the Narrows are ready e
] come In or go They all want 70 enter the
/ channel a, the time and the feet OF tug
boats is kept busy holding them in check and
} plotting Mt time through the designated
channel