Evening star., 1900-09-25

liberty for three hours yesterday afternoon.
In the meantime the other members aboard
ship We're instructed in ''wig-wag' signal
ing and the International code. The re-
malEder OF the ships company which was
deprived of shore liberty yesterday will be
given the same length of time on shore to-
day.
Today the men will be drilled in naval
brigade organization" ''arm and away" and
"a ba ndon ship tactics. The ships COM
pany will. be divided into artillery and in
fantry branches, and will make landings at
Old Point Comfort in the face of supposed
enemy. For this purpose the small boats
will be equipped with the one-pounder rapid
fire rifles. under cover of fire of which the
infantry will land.
Commander Hains is carrying out the
naval regulations strictly and enforcing dis
cipine among the men, and has already
obtained results, which are encouraging, to
say the least.
Commander Hains has on this as on all
other occasions. shown the results of his
naval training, which he received at the
Naval Academy, at Annapolis. His training
has been most beneficial TO the officers un-
der his command
Chief Engineer Thomas w. Power has
been highly congratulated for the excellent
showing made by his department on the
present cruise. The electric department
under him is also deserving OF an unusual
amount of credit. The wiring of the ship
was completed yesterday and all of the
electric apparatus put in good shape. The
searchight has proved an additional fea-
ture of the trip and is operated at night
by the chiefs men,
Lieutenant Joseph Dempf has been as
signed 10 command of the second division
and is senior deck officer. Mr. Demprs )
sea experience has proved invalua BILE on the
present outing. though he has had consid-
cradle difficulty in convincing the junior
officers of his miraculous sea yarns.
Captain Hams has up to the present time
obtained but two hours sleep since his
departure from Washington.
Ships Bugler Hennessy who is an en-
ploye of the Post Office Department has
been installed as mail orderly during the
present cruise His duties commenced az
Old Polnt Comfort, where he carried quite
large bulk OF mail to the post office at
that place.
In the absence of Lieutenant A. P. Lang
the hrst division Is being commanded by
Ensign Joseph A. Darneille, with excellent
results The men under his command are
making a good showing, and Lieutenant
Lang can feel assured that during his b.
sefce MS command will be we'll taken care
Of ~
Ensign George A. Berry owinp 70 bie
popularity among the feminine sex has
been detailed by Commander Hains tn taka
charge or nearly every boat which is sent
ashore
In the absence of Paymaster Sidney Pie
Der Assistant Paymaster Howard Fisk ha.
! taken command Of the pay department and
Is looking after the interest and comforts
OF the men personally. He is ably assisted
by Mr. Frank w Sigourney of the District
militia headquarters
As executive officer of the U s. S. Fern
Lieutenant r. b. Brummett has proved his
efhciency for the position he now holds.
His untiring efforts to make the cruise a
success are quite noticeable, and his zeal in
CARRYING out the captains orders have had
the desired effect upon the crew.
The 7. s. s. Fern upon anchoring at Old
POINT Comfort was visited by quarantine
officers from the U. S. 8. jamestown. which
Is anchored off Old Point
Chief Petty Officers Hogan. Spikeman.
Demar and Morgan. in connection with the
cruise have done arduous dutv in ,ha 60
ward part of the ship looking after the
general welfare of their portion of the ship
ana helping to maintain discipline