Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-16
NAVAL BATTALION AFFAIRS
The o. S. s. Fern Scene of Great Activity
the Past Week.
Electrical Division to BE Established
with Plant and Appliances
General Muster Tomorrow.

The affairs of the Naval Battalion are
gradually rounding into shape, under the
direction of Commander Robert p. Hams,
and within short time, it is said, will
be running smoothly.
The L. 6. S. Fern during the past week
has been the scene of great activity.
Drills twice n week have been resumed
and the enlistment of new men in the bat
TALON has been a feature.
Among the first orders to be issued by
Commander Hams was one designating a
commissioned officer TO stand watch aboard
the Fern. 1t is as follows:
ION and after December II, 1899. COM
mssloned officer will be designated to
stand watch aboard the U. s. S. Fern, IN
shifts of twenty-four hours each, and dur
ing such time it will be the duty OF the
officer of the watch to visit the snip at
least once during his tour of duty. he
will he required to note on the log the
time of his arrival and departure, ana any
matter of Importance that may come 10
his attention. Should any violation OF the
regulations occur during his tour of duty.
he should report at once in writing to
the comma lding officer
The following detail of officers has been
established commencing midnight Sunday,
December IL: Ensign l.. C. CoVell. Ensign
A. P Lang Ensign r. F. Bradbury, Lieu
tenant Fl. A. Shepley. Ensign j. L. Ne.
Laughlin and Lieutenant r. b. Brummett
Order Relating to Cooperation.
An order relating to the cooperation of
the officers and the enlisted men of the two
divisions has been issued by Capt. Hams
The order reads:
Having assumed command of the naval
battalion in obedience to S. o. I'D, of the
commanding general of the D. c. n. G., l
desire to impress upon the officers and men
of the organization the necessity for
more hearty cooperative interest in fur
thering the efficiency of the battalion. The
uniform of the blue Jacket and naval officer
has come to be regarded as the emblem
of courage. bravery and efficiency, and IT
should be the object of every officer and man
connected with the batta ion to lend his
effort in developing nava! establishment
In the District of Columbia that shall excel
in effectiveness that OF any state organl-
cation. This can only be done by strict at
tendance to duty. prompt obedience TO or
ders and regular attendance on all drills
and exercises. and it is therefore ordered
that hereafter once week the en-
tire ships company shall assemble
aboard the L. S S. Fern, and that every
division shall, be drilled in the setting up
exercises. small arms. or artillery, at least
one evening in each week, to be hereafter
designated.
Persistent failure to attend these drills
will be cause for court-martial.
Capt. Hams has announced the appoint
ment of Paymaster Sidney Bieber as aid to
the commanding officer. Lieut.. Bieber has
been ordered to report to the commanding
officer for such duties as he may designate
in addition to his present duties. Lieut..
Bieber's appointment has met with the ap
prevail of the other officers of the battalion
and he was the secipient of congratulations
last night aboard the Fern.
The members of the battalion have been
ordered to assemble on the Fern. in uni
form, for general muster at 1870 o'clock
tomorrow morning. 1t is the desire of
Commander Hams that each man shall
make a special effort to be present. He will
address the entire ships company regard
ing the best interests of the organization.
The uniform Of the day will be blue.
Chief Engineer Thomas W. Power has
arranged. through the comma nding officer
of the Fern. for the establishment of an
engineering class. The classes will be I'M
der the direct charge of the chief engineer.
Additional Feature
The installation of modern electrical
plant, with appliances. will be one of the
additional features of the battalion and
will be in operation aboard the Fern during
the coming month The classes are now
being formed, and the fling OF applications
with the commanding officer of the Fern
for appointment has begun. 1t is the OBJ
ject of the officials of the battalions to raise
to this end care will be exercised in MAX
ing the selections of men to form the
classes.
A board of officers convened last night
aboard the Fern at 1:30 o'clock for the ex-
animation of persons applying for appoint
ment in the Naval Battalion, with especial
regard to their physical and and profess
sional fitness for the positions. The board
was composed of Commander Robert p
Hams, Lieut.. 5. G. Cox. Lieut. r. 3. Brun-
met and Ensign A. =. Lang Mr. Lang
acted as recorder for the board and the re-
suits OF the examinations We're forwarded
to headquarters.
Commander Hams has been in commune
cation with the National Guard headuuar-
tiers, requesting that the use of the drill
nall. National Guard Armory, be given the
Naval Battalion for drill purposes at least
one night each week. The regular drills
are essential for proper organization and
discipline, 1t is said, and cannot he properly
carried on aboard the Fern. He has also
requested the use of small room pro-
Elded with gun stands, for the temporary
use of the Naval Battalion and the safe
Keeping of their arms and equipments
SI.2J To baltimore and Return q D.