The Washington times., 1902-09-03
COURTS MARTIAL IN
THE WAKE OF CRUISE
Inquiry Into Absence OF
Naval Battalion Men.
LESS THAN HALF TOOK TRIP
Investigation Ordered by Lieutenant
Commander Hopkins = Those Who
Made Cruise Enjoyed Themselves,
Though Kept Hard at Work.

Following the cruise of the Nava
Battalion which came to an end yester-
day. it is probable that there will be 8
series of courts martial and over hall
the members of the Naval Reserves who
failed 10 so on the trip will be subject
to discharge in the interest of the ser
vice. Out of complement of about 13(
men, less than fifty went on the voyage
and only few of the others were ex-
cused from duty.
1t is peculiar fact also that few OF
those in the Government service who
are members of the battalion took the
cruise. and this will reflect on their
standing, Whenever the boat makes a
cruise which necessitates their being ex-
cused from work. they are the first to
respond, but apparently they do not care
to give up their holiday time to the
militia. The cruise began on Saturday
evening and ended yesterday forenoon
which would have allowed only two
days holiday with pay, and would have
required the employees to give up Sun
day and Labor Day out of their own
time.
Lieut.. r. B. Brummett, the command
ing officer of the Fern, is much incensed
that the men failed to show up Satur-
day evening when the vessel left her
dock. and while on the trip conferred
with Lieut.-Com. S. G. Hopkins, the
"A
Capt. E. +. Riggs, tthe acting adjutant-
general Division commanders have
been instructed to call the absentees to
account, and it is probable there will
be wholesale DISCHARGE at no late day.
Ii is the desire of General Harries. com
manding the militia TO make an efficient
organization of the Naval Reserves, and
he will support the officers in any action
they may take.
Trip Was Successful.
The trip was undoubtedly the most
successful ever made by the Naval Re-
serves. The fifty or more men aboard
were instructed in all the duties per-
tanning to the handling cf a ship, and its
management in time of conflict While
the Fern only went as far as Blackiston
Island, eighty miles down the Potomac,
il covered the river the entire distance,
and it is safe to say that every petty Of
ficer as well as officer, and most of the
enlisted men knows the course well
enough TO pilot any steamer down the
historic stream.
While everyone had plenty of hard
work to perform on the trip the weather
was fine, everything was congeniai. and
the three days outing was thoroughly
enjoyed. There was no let up for Sun
day. and Labor Day instead OF being
one of rest was one of the busiest ever
experienced by the local jackies. Leay-
ing its anchorage off Colton's Landing,
just this side OF Blackiston Island, at
> o'clock Monday afternoon, the Fern
stopped for several hours at Colonial
Beach, where the boys were given lib
erty two or three hours, and she pro-
ceeded up stream shortly after IL p. N,
arriving at her dock before noon yes
terday.
Target Practice.
All hands were up early Monday
and the deck hands were got
ten together rigging a target. Ii the
meantime the starboard watch. consist
ing Of the men of the First Division, was
called to man the whaleboat, and they
were given two hours instruction in
sailing and rowing the boat Lieut.. A.
p Lang and Lieut.. Lewis p Clephane
we're in charge of the boat. Ensign W.
II. Lantz was in charge of the steam
launch which placed the target
Target practice was the most impor-
ant duty of the day. If not of the cruise
and the work of the men at the heavy
guns was closely supervised by the act
ng adjutant general While the men of
he First Division were in the whaleboat
those of the Second Division, under
Lieut.. j. A. Dempf and Lieut.. George
Berry, were given an opportunity to try
heir hands at the sixpounder The
arget, which had been placed 1,500
Yards away. and at this distance resem-