The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-03-24
FOR THE NAVAL RESERVES.
The L. s. s. Prairie Assigned for a
Practice Cruise.


The Governor yesterday received the
following letter from Charles I'll. Allen,
Assistant Secretary of the Navy, in
forming him that the r. 5. S. Prairie
has been assigned TO North Carolina
for use of its Naval Reserves ON prac-
tice cruise this summer, from May I'D
to May 10Th.
Washington, ID. G.. March %, 1899.
"Sir-The Il. S. S. Prairie having been
assigned TO duty for the annual drill
and instruction of the naval militia or
CARNATIONS of the Atlantic and Gulf
States, the Department has decided upon
what it considers the most feasible plan
for giving each State having such an or
gailization an equal amount of practi-
cal experience al. sea.
This plan contemplates having the
Prairie off Southport by or before May
22d. where she will pick up all the
State divisions, those from Wilmington
and other points, if you so WISH being
sent to her on board the Hornet. The
organization will remain ON board the
Prairie for drill period of eight days,
ut the end of which time they will be
disembarked off Southport.
AS this Department has no appro-
priation for such purposes, the State of
North Carolina will be expected TO bear
the expense of subsistence of the or
ganization while ON board ship. and to
see that they are supplied with proper
bedding and an individual mess outfit.
Hereafter the allotment of the APP
preparation for arming and equipping
the naval militia will be based upon
the number of properly uniformed
petty officers and enlisted men OF each
State who perform the annual tour of
duty herein prescribed.
1t is to be understood thai the men
of the organization are to be ready TO
90 on board ship on the morning Of May
22d: that one day will be allowed IN
port for the organization, berthing, mess
ing, stationing, etc, of the crew, mt the
end of which time the vessel is to 30 10
sea and remain for seven days, the first
four of which will be devoted TO instruc-
ton and man-of-war duties, with par
ricular reference to aiming drill and sub
calibre practice, the following two days
to be devoted TO actual target practice
The watch duties of the vessel will
be performed by the officers of the
naval militia, under the supervision OF
the regular officers stationed on board
and such watch officers will. as far as
practicable, be instructed in all that
pertains 10 the handling, navigation and
fighting of the vessel.
AT the end of this tour of duty. the
commanding officer of the Prairie will
make detailed report TO the Depart.
ment, in which he will state the quail
ifications of the officers for the posi-.
tions they hold and the fitness of the
petty. officers and enlisted men fol-
naval service at sea.
THE commanding officer of the
Prairie will he directed to communicate
with you, or SUCH representative as you
may select, in sufficient time 10 arrange
all necessary details.
Under the present circumstances and
conditions Of the service, this is the
only opportunity which can be afforded
the naval militia of the coast States
for sea service and practice drill the
present year.
Ample time is afforded for prepare
tion, and State organizations must be
fully prepared to embark at the time
stated herein, and il is to be noted that
the allotment of the annual appropria
ton will be made in accordance with
the number of petty officers and en-
listed men who avail themselves of this
opportunity.
1.-THE itinerary of this vessel has been
made for all Atlantic Coast and Gull
States having naval militia drganiza
tons, and cannot be changed. In eonse
quence thereof, it is necessary that the