Evening star., 1902-08-25
THE DISTRICT NAVY
CRUISE DOWN THE POTOMAC
ABOARD THESFERN.
The "Jackies" Surprisedsby Lieutenant
Commander Hopkins in the
Early Morning.

The first cruise Of the naval battalion this
season was taken Saturday aboard the
United States ship Fern, the battalion re-
turning to port early this morning. One
hundred officers and men participated. The
Fern was In command of Lieut.. r. B.
Brummett, with Lieut. A. P. Lang as ex-
ecutive officer. The vessel was to have
started Saturday at noon, but the tide was
about ten inches lower than usual at that
hour, and the start was postponed until
clock in the evening
The engines were kept going all night and
the Fern arrived at Colonial Beach about
o'clock. where anchor was dropped for the
day. After casting off Saturday evening
station bills were made out and each man
presented with card showing his station
during the different drills The sea routine
was adopted at once when under way, and
When anchor was dropped the port routine
was followed out, according to the rules
and regulations Of the regular service.
During the day the men were instructed
by the officers in their numerous duties
ABOARD ship, and when this was done the
crew participated in target practice, ope-
ratlhg the slX-pounders and the one-pound-
ers. The results were very satisfa ctory to
the ohcers In charge and much benefit was
derived from the outing from this stand
point.
drill and small arm practice. The new boats
recently secured by the battalion were put
into use for the first time and the men
showed the result of their early training by
the manner in which they handled these
boats during the drills
AT colonial Beach the blue Jackets
ere given shore liberty and remained there
until the Fern weighed anchor last evening
at o'clock
The officers who participated in the trip
included Lieut.. r. B. Brummett, Lieut.. A.
+. Lang, DR.. s. Clifford Cox surgeon; Pay
master Sidney Bieber, Lieut.. George A.
berry, Lieut.. j. A. Dempf, Lieut.. L. P Gle
phane. Ensign W. H. Lantz and Pay Clerk
George A. Howe.
"Boarders," Ahoy.
Previous to the departure of the naval
battalion, Lieut.. Brummett was informed
by Lieut.. Commander s. G. Hopkins, COM
manding the naval militia, that he would
probably join the battalion some time dur
ing the cruise. Lieut. Brummett upon re-
ceiving the tip, gave instructions to the
officers under his command to keep a vigil
liant watch for the appearance of the steam
launch.
In accordance with his plans, Lieut.. Com
mander Hopkins accompanied by his sec
retary, Ensign Howard Fisk, and Mr. Chas
G. Almy, left Washington last evening in
the steam launch of the battalion with the
object of picking UP the Fern on the home
Ward-bound trip. The launch with the party
aboard cruised very cautiously down the
river by the light of the moon to locate the
returning party. 1t was the lieutenant COM
mander's idea to creep up palongside the Fern
and surprise her crew
Just before reaching River View the in
specting party ran into atheavy fog and ex-
ira precaution was taken that the Fern
should not pass unseens After passing
through the fog speed was increased and
under four bells the vessel wended her way
ci inp or,1r ri
the running lights were masked and tar
paulin thrown over the white canopy to
prevent the launch from being observed at
any great distance. An officer was stationed