Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-14
THE PRAIRIE RETURNS
The Cruise Of the Virginia Naval
Reserves.
cident-Thc Boys Win Commendn.
zion Dissatisfaction with Accepts
ancc of Cruise.

The u. S. A. c. Prairie passed in at
Cape Henry at 1:30 o'clock yesterday
afternoon and took aboard Harbor
Master Morgan shortly after. At 4:SO
p. M she cast anchor off Swimming
Point, firing -ReaF-Admiral,s- salute of
thirteen guns as she did so, which was
answered by the Franklin's saluting
guns as the Prairie's signal flags were
run up.
At p. m. Lieutenant Boynton. Vir-
ginia Naval Reserves. and the fifteen
men in his charge, were put ashore in
one of the Praries boats, Captain
Morgan coming ashore in another boat.
DIDN'T KNOW TWAS LOADED.
When the boys lined up on the Wash
ington wharf it was noticed that one
was injured He proved to be Ed. c.
Cachelin of Brambleton, 4 member of
the First Division, and another case of
didn't know it was loaded was dis
covered by questioning
1t appears that one of the North
Carolina reserves had left a cartridge
In one of the guns and in showing the
mechanism to our boys that particular
gun was by fatality chosen by one of
the Prairie's regular crew. Luckily, he
discharged it at an iron hatchway. but
the cartridge was discharged and the
bullet struck the iron, instantly ex-
poding and scattering It's fragments
around. Several of the boys were
slightly scratched. but large frag-
ment struck Mr.. Cacheiin IN the right
calf. making n painful. though not dan
gerous wound. This was the only
casualty and Mr. Cachelin was confined
to the sicll-bay but a couple days. The
accident happened Saturday. week
ago. The story was carefully guarded
and did not leak out while on the
Northern trip, though several went
ashore while In Long Island waters.
MIR. Cachelin walked to the Custom
house and took the car for his home.
WON COMMENTATOR.
Lieutenant Boynton. who is clerk of
the Elizabeth City County Court, at
Hampton, when at home. was the only
officer with the party and but four men
went from Hampton, while eleven went
from Norfolks three divisions. The
Lieutenant states that the Prairie went
to GARDENERS Bay. Long Island, where
practice was had with the guns. and
that the boys all enjoyed themselves
greatly. taking easily to their duties
and winning high commentator from
Captain Mckenzie for their first-class
work.
The Lieutenant speaks very highly of
the Kindness of Captain Mckenzie, and.
himself noble. manly gentleman. evil
IDENTITY found in the Captain another of
the same stripe and one to be admired.
None OF the boys were sick; all look
ed bronzed and hearty and evidently
had enjoyed sea life. The party was
marched to the Armory and dismissed
DISSATISFAC TION
In chat with the lieutenant 1t
cropped out that there is considerable
dissatisfaction with the way the cruise
was accepted and the fact that by this
cruise the Virginia Militia had marked
their allotment of funds from the Gov
eminent for this year, this being APP
portioned on the number carried on the
trip.
1t is stated by the officers that the
cruise was accepted by the late Lieu
tenant Commander without consulta-
ton with his staff. and that no official
notice save that appearing in the news
papers, was served on them to get
the men ready. This resulted in none
OF the other officers and so few of the
men going. However, now that Lieu
tenant Adams has heen- prnmoted to
I,ieutenant-Commander, they expect
things to go differently. and next wear
Will see them in good shape for a big
turnout on the annual cruise. Several
OF the officers, had they been properly
notified. state that they could have
secured uniforms for and paid expenses
Tor fair detail of their men.
The Vixen will be turned over to the
Virginia Reserves this week. It is now
expected. and practice work will be be-
gun al once.
THE NEW COMMANDER.
Commander Adams. the
new commanding officer of the State
Reserves, is a draughtsman in the Con-
struction Department of the navy
yard, a thorough and businesslike ren-
tleman, and will do all in his power to
put his force at the highest point of
effectiveness.