The daily morning journal and courier., 1900-01-25

without any experience on shipboard
 instructing them in all the details ot
 the details of the duties required of men
 of the largest ships, and after they have | become qualified to distribute them as
 seamen or send them to the engine
 room force of regular ships as they may
 be required. As result of the disposl- tion of experienced sailors to engage in
 private work, the navy is now short
 over 2,000 men and several hundred ap-
 prentices, but in the later case little at tempt has been made to increase the force, on account of the lack of sufficient quarters at the training stations. The total strength allowed by law is 17,5OO
 men and 2,500 boys, of which there are
 now about 14,500 men and only LOGO
 boys
 To provide in future for the enlisted
 vacancies three training ships have been
 designated on which men are to be in
 structed in sea life and after serving a
 required period are expected to be
 qualified for any duties on ships of the
 highest class. Attached to this little fleet Is the old Hartford, which has been
 completely rehabilitated and, except in
 appearance, has little of the character
 istics of Farragut's flagship. This old vessel has been ordered to leave the Mare Island navy-yard early in Decem- Der with nearly 300 men on board, gath cred upon the Pacific slope, who will be broken in as seamen, seamen gunners and men of other naval ratings. It Is a queer and strange collection that the Hartford has on board, few, if any, knowing starboard from port, when they enlisted. This collection, however, has been drilled for two months, and Captain Hawley who commands the ship, is confident that, with the assist ance of small crew of experienced eail-. ors, his command will bring the old ship safely to Hampton Roadssby April 15.
 The voyage of the Hartford will be roundabout, including Hawaii, thence across to some island in the South Pa- cific, to Callao. Valparaiso, through the Straits of Magellan, and up the South American coast, through the West 1n- dies. Few will recognize the vessel on her arrival with modern battery, in- creased speed and immense spread of sail. By the time she arrives the naval officers expect the crew to be well drill- ed, but few months more experience will be required at sea before they would be regarded as veterans, fit for active service. Another ship that has been or dered on this duty is the old corvette now cruising in the West Indies with class The Enterprise has another on board These vessels in fu- ture are to be devoted to the use of the training service Independently, however 1f the apprentice system, which will have its own vessels.
 The delay in completing the new structures at Newport, where provision will be made for Increasing the facilities 'or~ quartering apprentices, and the un- finished condition of the new station established at Goat Island, San Fran cisco, have prevented the authorities rom making active efforts to bring the number of apprentices up to the limit lllowed. At Newport, barracks are be- ng constructed that will provide for at | east 1000 boys, and on the west coast | 00 will be cared for on shore, the rest # the 2,50o being kept on sea on train- ng ships. With two apprentice stations n full operation, and three training hips engaged at all times in instruct ng men for the navy. Admiral Crown nshield and other officers of the navy 1 xpect no trouble in year or two in the authorized enlisted orce at it's full strength. h.-Washingto etter in Baltimore Sun