Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-02-23
FERN MAKES TRIAL TRIP
Experimental Cruise by Naval Battalion,
District National Guard.
Commissioner Wight and Others Spe-
ciaI PassenEers-Inspect of the
Chnnnel-The Trip a Success.

The Naval Battalion of the District of
Columbia National Guard took its initial
cruise yesterday aboard the U. 8. s. Fern.
In addition to the practice afforded the citi-
zen seamen, the trip gave Mr.. John b.
Wight, president of the board of Commits
sioners of the District, an opportunity to
observe the ice situation in the Potomac
river and what has been and is being done
in the way of breaking up the blockade by
the feet of tugs operating under the direc-
ton of Harbormaster Sutton. 1t was DEM
cnstrated that in the event of another
freeze of threatening import the Fern can
be put to excellent service in breaking the
ice and also that the officers and men OF
the District Naval Battalion are thorough
ly equipped in every way to handle the
craft
In addition to Commissioner Wight TIE
invited guests included Major Richard Syl-
vester. chief of police; Harbormaster SUIT
ton, Mr.. B. Fl. Warner. Captain. C. Fred
Cook, aid-de-camp, District of Columbia
militia, number of their frit ndS. and sew
eral newspaper men. Mr.. Russell Dean, of
the harbor police was very much in evil
dence. directing the course of the steamer.
The officers of the Naval Battalion on
duty were: Captain r. =. HI ms, in COM
mand: executive officer. Lieutenant 8. G..
Hopkins: Lieutenant Griffith, navigator:
Lieutenant r. B. Brummett. ordnance and
equipment officer; Lieutenant III. A. Shop
ley. officer of the watch; Ensigns Covell
and Cresap, Paymaster Sidney Bieber and
Lieutenant Thomas w. Power. chief en-
gineer. The crew consisted of about sew
erty-five of the enlisted men of the bat
TALON. All were attired in brand-new sail
o. clothing and presented a decidedly neat
and business-like appearance.
Volunteer jack Tars.
When Commissioner Wight had boarded
ta Shi oh hofo 'cIp tho
lines We're cast off, the gang plank hauled
in and the Fern headed down stream being
run for the first time solely by the voun-
the craft operated in true nautical style
Good time was made the down trip
When Alexandria had been passed, the bow
was headed up stream and the Fern was
tied TO her wharf foot of 18th street south
west, about 6 o'clock. On the hOmeWard
trip the invited guests made a tour of in
spectiOE about the ship and were enter
tanned at luncheon in the cabin. All sorts
of weather was experienced-sunshine,
clOudiness and rain with heavy wind
Throughout the afternoon, however, the
ship and the men behaved beautifully
Both on boarding and leaving the ship, the
guests were accorded the customary naval
hOnorS. sideboys being in place, with the
boatswain piping his whistle.
The situation in the river was found to be
entirely satisfactory. In the Washington
channel the Ice nad Deen ground INTO nne
particles and was rapidly running Off From
the local steamboat wharves practically to
Alexandria the channel is free. Below
Alexandria there is ice, but it is well
broken, and the tugs pass through it with
absolutely no difficulty. Commissioner
Wight expressed himself as being highly
pleased, both with the running of the Fern
ard the work that has been accomplished
by the fleet of ice boats. Five of the tugs
accompanied the Fern during a portion of
the trip. The original intention was to sail
up the Georgetown channel. but on the as
suraace of Harbormaster Sutton that the
river was entirely clear of ice it was deem
ed unnecessary to extend the trip in that
direction.
Quick Work.
That the Naval Battalion of the District
National Guard is an efficient organization
was evident from its action yesterday The
trip was not decided on until after o'clock
Tuesday night. At that time there was no
coal nor stores aboard. BY 10 o'clock yes
terday morning. however, the craft was
cOaled and provisiOned and in readiness for
a voyage of twanty-fOur hours duration
Great credit is due Paymaster Sidney
Bleber for bringing about this state of af-
fairs. He worked like Trojan, and in
Wow of his zeal and success was given a
unanimous vote of thanks by his fellow
officers. In regard to the men, Chief Engi-
near Thomas w. Power, who has spent
nineteen years at sea in the naval service
three times. stated to a Star reporter that
in all his experience he had never seen men
work so willingly and enthusiastically as
those of the District Naval Battalion