Evening star., 1901-07-20
PRACTICE CRUISE
Naval Battalion Starts on Term OF
Duty at Sea.
Two new SIX-POUND GUNS ABOARD
Over One Hundred Officers and
Men Participating.
THE GOOD SHIP FERN

Jo0D Il IhAN
The annual practice cruise of the Naval
Battalion Of the District of Columbia Ma
honai Guard, covering the period from July
90 to July 2S, inclusive, commenced this
morning. over 100 officers and men OF the
battalion embarked board the United
States steamer Fern at the dock, foot or
Water street southwest, at IL o'clock, ana
within short time afterward the vessel
was under way. She will proceed down the
Potomac river and then out to sea.
The Fern has lately been overhauled ana
painted from stem to stern, including all of
the interior of the ship, such as the ward
room, cabin and officers quarters. The or
ganization goes out fully equipped for
cruise Of ten days, and 1t is Commander
Hams desire that this practice trip shall
eclipse any Of the former cruises taken by
the battalion. For several weeks past the
officers Of the respective stations and divis-
ions have been busily engaged preparing for
the event and have worked nearly every
night for the past two weeks In order that
nothing should be left undone. The COM
forts of the enlisted men have been looked
after with care, and 1t Is certainty that
there will be no cause for complaint iroIh
this quarter.
During the cruise the crew Will be exer-
cised and drilled in small boat drill, signals,
pistol drill. infantry tactics, sword EXERCISE
setting-up exercise, Navigation ana driii
with the guns carried by the Fern. with
particular attention given to aiming orlh
and subcaliber practice, to be followed oy
actual target practice. For the purpose o.
target practice authority IS given 70 e4pehu
not more than 90 rounds each for SIX
nounder and 100 rounds each Tor one
pounder guns. In small arms practice the
Expenditure of ammunition will not exceed
twenty rounds per man for the FeVoiVer aho
an equal amount for the rlHe.
battalion Has New Guns.
The battalion received a few days ago
two new six-pounders. which will be
r,onntaa on the forward deck and take the
Mace of the two three-inch field pieces
which have been used heretofore. The guns
have heeu mounted on tripods and will be
a valued addition to the ships battery when
the crew indulge In gun practice at sea.
Tho cruise will be in charge OF Com
mander Robert P. Hams, who IS gradu-
ate of the Naval Academy, ana VINO mas
waved ia he an efficient officer since the
nreanization of the battalion. Lieut. H. b.
Brummett will fill the capacity OF execu-
tive officer and will have immedlate charge
Of the deck at all times, In addition TO the
ordnance and gun practice. The other Of
icers under Commander Hams will include
Iieut Thomas W. Power, ch1ef engineer;
Paymaster Sidney Bleber' surgeon .. iii Iii
ford Cox, Ensign Howard Fisk, who will
act as aid to the commanding officer;
Lieut.. A. P. Lang, commanding the hrst
division: Lieut.. ]. A. Dempf. commanding
the second aNanG ay,si9n Gvfon Enssn VIII
lam ri Lantz, first division, and Pay Clerk
Frank w. Sigourney.
II ia expected that the Fern Will reach
Old Point Comfort early Monday morning,
when a short stop will be made In order to
nrocure fresh meats, ice, etc.. for the So
fourn at sea. The Fern will then proceed
to Norfolk, when another stop will be made
to take on provisions. -
he q careful inspection by Commander
Hams of all the issued clothing and equip
ment followed Immediately by such action
as may be necessary 10 put ana MAINTAIN
the clothing and equipment in the best
possible condition. Especial attention will
be given .hammocks, blankets and small
arms.
the fact that the men in the engine room
under Chief Engineer Power will all be
members Of the Naval Battalion. The
District organization is the only one Of all
of the reserve organizations in the country
that has its engineer force composed of
volunteers In all Of the others men are
hired to run the engines and look after the
running gear below deck, but this is not
the case with the local "jackies."
Rules Aboard Ship.
ITpon coming ABOARD snip the officers
and enlisted men reported promptly to their
immediate commanding officer. The enlist
ed men were provided with at least one
change Of underclothing and an extra pair
of black shoes, and such toilet articles as
could be properly carried Each man was
provided as soon as the ship was under
way with a haSpmock, mattress, mattress
cover, hammock clews. lashings, blankets
and clothes bags and all articles Of wear
SSA,,.o 3tr&o
ing apparel not, IN, IN ttsiaeaiate a use was put
in a nlace designated for that purpose by
the commanding Officer. Each man was
provided with a ships number, which will
annesr on his hammock and clothes bag,
and he will be held strictly responsible for
the cleanIy and orderly condition of such
articles issued. The hammock hooks on
the berth deck are numbered in accord
ance with the numbers given the men, and
thew are expected at all times, when ham
mocks are "piped down." to sling their
hammocks on the hooks according to their
The commanding officers Of the two di-
visions were ordered to see that the men
under their command were supplied with
station bills designating their duties in
bringing ship to anchor. up anchor fire
drills arm and away boats, and general
quarters and boat drln.
The general routine and discipline of the
navv as laid down in the naval regula-
tions. will be strictly followed on the cruise
as to the daily exercises, excepting SO far
as the same may be modified from time to
time by the battalion commander, and at
tention was called to the necessity for a
strict observance Of the forms of official
intercourse between officers and men and
their superiors in rank.
The officers will stand watch as follows:
Jaeut. Denpf forenoon watch, from am
to 12 M; Lieut.. Lang, afternoon watch,
from 70 M to pm; Ensign Berry, first
dog watch, from pm. to pm, and so
on in regular order.
ch.uues and Promotious
Preparatory to the cruise Commander