The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-12
NAVY NEEDS 5000 men
RECRUITING STATION WILL OPEN
IN THIS CITY TODAY.
Master-et-Arms Carroll, OF the Mas
sachusetts, Paints n Rosy Picture
OF Seamen's Life.

United States Naval Recruiting party No.
arrived in the city last night from Pitts
burg and will open a recruiting station in
the jury room OF the Federal building this
morning. Advance agents of the party.
Master-at-Arms Carroll and Boatswain
Herbert, have been in the city for the past
week advertising for recruits and making
arrangements for the opening of the sta
ton.
The party is in charge of Lieut.. c. 3.
Price, U. s. NJ. and viii be in Indian
apolis until Oct. "a, when it will move TO
Terre Haute. The navy is in need OF re-
cruits TO the number of about three
thousand. and every effort is being made
10 interest young men in the life. There
are many opportunities in the navy for
rapid advancement and the present time
is an exception, as in January about eight
thousand men will be paid out. One fourth
Of them. it is safe to say, will rejoin, but
the places of the others will be filed from
the meet lowest in ranks. thus opening way
for new men to rise in an unusually short
time.
A PLEASANT LIFE.
The life in the navy is by no means an
unpleasant life. There is hard work and
privations. but there Is also correspond
ing amount OF pleasure. Master-at-Arms
Carroll said yesterday that he had been in
the navy three years and had found 1t not
only a pleasant life. but one that a man
learns to love. There is much leisure
time" he said, Gin the course of our
cruises around the world. Our ships touch
at most OF the foreign ports and many
times we are given several days TO make
inland trips to points OF interest There is
also much sport connected with the war
ships For instance, during the great ma
neuvers OF the North Atlantic squadron
last winter In the Caribbean sea- there was
much rivalry between the different crews
and every blue jacket was on his mettIe
doing his best to ala his ship. After the
sham battle. the feet under the command
or Admiral Higginson, proceeded to Gale
bra Bay, In the West Indies. where 1t re-
manned for about forty days. During that
time the crews OF the various ships were
busy, practicing for the contests that
had been planned. An order was issued by
the admiral that every afternoon the crews
we're to hold sailing races. the course to be
i've miles Each warship was represented
by crew and the races IN many instances
eQualed IN excitement, at least the great
International Cup races. Many oportuni-
ties arose to show seamanship, which went
long ways toward advancement for the
SPORTS IN THE NAVY.
There were also many other sports en-
gagged In Swimming was practiced regu-
larry and prizes were awarded the fastest
man. Those who could not swim were taken
ashore and taught by experienced men.
Boxing also occupied a prominent place
among the sports. Every evening we went
ashore and drew twenty-four foot ring i'm
the sand, and the men OF the different ships
tested their strength with the gloves A
good deal OF fishing was done while we were
In the West Indies. but IL was by nets with
which in one haul We could fill our boat
The officers were much interested in the
sports OF the men, and in many instances
took active parts.
In the North Atlantic squadron there
were three minstrel troupes picked from
over 500 men. A stage was rugged up on the
quarter deck of the ships, decorated with
1ags OF all countries The whole ship was
lighted with electric bulbs. The scene was
. gay and attractive one and the minstrels
were always good. When one of these min
strel shows was given the officers donned
their full dress and the crews of the other
ships were invited to attend the show.
THE great event In sailors recreation Is
the annual ball. given generally in New
York Each man contributes SO. and the
AFFAIR IL made elaborate in every detail. All
the friends of the sailors as well as their
sisters and mothers are present. or invited
To be present. A big supper Is served at
l. o'clock. in which all take part. The
character OF the sailors must always be
unquestionsble. or they are not allowed in
the halls.
When we arrived at the navy yards I'm
New York we noticed an order issued on
the bulletin board OF our ship. from the
secretary OF the navy, granting each man a
furlough OF ten days, not including travelling
time. The only condition was that he must
have conducted himself well I'm the maneu-
yers. This Is the pleasant side OF the life
as i have found Il aboard the Massachu-