Evening star., 1901-07-05
MEN FOR THE NAVY
Extensive Plan of Recruiting in the
South.
TRIP TO Be MADE BY THE ALVARADO
Another Party to Visit Cities in
Far interior.
INDUCEMENTS HELD OUT

The converted Spanish gunboat Alvarado
will leave Norfolk, Va, tomorrow tor New
Berne. n. c., where headquarters will be
established and a rather extensive plan in
augurated OF recruiting young men of the
south for the navy. This is part of the
plan developed by the naval bureau of nav
igation. After the Spanish war the need OF
sailors became urgent that recruiting
parties were sent into the interior. enlist
ing lusty farmer boys for sea service. The
plan has worked so well that six ships-the
Hartford, Lancaster Buffalo, Dixie, ALI
ance and Mohican-are now engaged in
training young men for the naval service.
The officials now turning their atten-
ton to the south, as they have been ad-
vised by letters from that section that
North Carolina and other southern states
are fertile districts for obtaining young
men for sea service. One OF these letters
speaks Of the splendid naval contin gents re-
cruited in the south during the Spanish
war.
1t points out that North Carolina is full
Of sounds and has a long water front on
the ocean. that there are many young
men having some knowledge and aptitude
for the water. Following this suggestion
the Navy Department will now seek to
make enlistnents at various points in the
south.
To Visit Southern Cities.
One party is proceeding by land from Port
Royal. and will visit the following southern
cities: Columbia s. c.. Augusta, Ga; Durham.
n. c.; Greenville. S. c.; Charlotte, n. c.:
Harrisburg, N c.; Spartanburg, y. C;
Greensboro, n. c., and Atlanta. Ga. The
Alvarado, which starts tomorrow, will visit
all the principal cities along the sounds OF
North Carolina, as well as the byways and
smaller settlements
In announcing the trips the following Off
cial comment is made an inducement to
those likely to enlist:
There never was a time when oppor-
tunity for advancement of worthy, quail
fled men was favorable it is at pres
ent, due to the increase in the enlisted
force of the navy, and the consequent de-
mand for more petty officers In all
branches. 1t takes time to gain the sea
habit and learn the intricate duties of "a
petty officer, and the ladder can only be
climbed by men who are willing TO aplay
themselves and gradually, but steadily,
gain advancement.
The Program.
Boys between fifteen and seventeen will
be enlisted as apprentices until reaching
majority, and young men between eighteen
and twenty-five as landsmen for training
for four years; the former will be sent to
the training station for apprentices at
\ -wport r. l., and the latter to the train
c. After six mont s at the station, IL
qualified for transfer, they will be sent on
board of a cruising vessel to complete their
training afoat.
The recruiting party will also enlist sea-
mep. who have mad four years sea eXpe-
rience, and ordinary seamen who have had
two years sea experience. The former
must be between twenty-one and thirty
five and the latter between eighteen and
thirty Shipwrights Carpenters machin-
lists, firemen and coal passers will also be
enlisted, but applicants for these positions
must furnish proof that they know the
trade and have experience and satisfac-
tory recommendations as having worked
in the trade.
"AIl applicants must bring with them
testimonials from people in their Immediate
districts as to their moral and general
standing in the community, and all under
twenty -one years of age must furnish writ
ten consent of parent.
North Carolina Men Praised.
The following extract from letters re-
ceived by the bureau of navigation will
expain the reason the authorities are de-
sirous of recruiting for the navy in the
state of North Carolina and other southern
states:
II suggest the state Of North Carolina
as probably a fertile district for obtaining
apprentices. am led to this idea from the
following facts: When lying at Fort Mon
roe just prior to the Spanish war in the
flagship New York Admiral Sicard and my
self attended many battalion drills at the
fort which then was a two-battalion post.
We were struck by the remarkably fine ap-
pearance of the men, as to size, health,
soldierly bearing, intelligence and every
thing that goes to make up good soldier.
Admiral Sicard inquired of the general
commanding Fort Monroe where he recruit
ed such fine lot of men. The general an
swered that nine out Of ten Of the men
came from the state OF North Carolina,
where their recruiting agents had been
very active.
He continued that he found men from
that state most amenable to discipline, and
as good soldiers as had ever been under
him. He confirmed Sicard's idea fully
to their good qualities. He said he gave
them frequent furloughs to go home, and
as the men Were very economical as to
their pay, clothing, etc, they always had a
small sum saved up for their home folks
After their enlistment expired they, as a
rule, returned home with enough money for
a homestead in their walk of life. This
whole matter was a revelation to me. AS
North Carolina is full of sounds and has a
long water front on the ocean, IL appears
to me that there might be a large number
Of enlfstments made there for Port ROYAL
S. c.. it is just next door, and the BOYS
would be almost in sight of their parents
and relatives.
(SigneO &C. H. WEST,
Commander, L. S. N"