The Washington times., 1903-03-16
INITIAL CRUISE OF
THE NAVAL BATTALION
Jackies' Enjoy Outing on
the Potomac.
INCIDENTS OF THE TRIP
Two Men Overcome by Heat in Engine
Room-0neida Runs on
Sand Bar.

Shortly after o'clock last night Act
ing Commander Sherbourne G. Honkins
Of the District OF Columbia Naval Bat
talon, dismissed the eighty-seven en-
listed men and the six commissioned Of
heers. and the first cruise OF The vasr
was brought to a close. At that hour
the members had put in twenty-four
hours duty on board the United States
vessels Oneida and Fern. and had had
an enjoyable outing on the Potomac
River
This was the initial cruise of the year
and although it was thought that Cen
eral Harries would assemble the bat
talon earlier than usual this year. no
one expected that the outing would oc-
cur in the middle OF March. The first
iDtimation Lieutenant Commander Hop
kins and his men had of the matter
was Friday evening when the order was
issued from National Guard Headquart-
ers calling out both the first and second
divisions OF the battalion for twenty
four hours duty aboard the two boats
Despite the late date at which the or
ders were issued. there was a good at
tendance. and there were enough men to
man both of the boats
Ran On Sand Bar.
At 3 O'Clock Saturday night Commander
Hopkins decided to take the Oneida
down the river. Orders we're given 10
back out from the wharf but because
or a misiuterpretation OF orders. the
bow OF the boat was run on a sand bar.
AS II was low tide. AMI there was not
much steam on. Lieutenant Dempf or
dered all of his men aft. and they tugged
away at a guy rope for several hours
before they accomplished anything.
Finally. after the tide had risen some
what, the boat was gotten of the sand
bar and was soon speeding down to-
ward Alexandria.
Twenty-Five men. the number required
TO man tho Oneida, were taken on the
first trip. and the other men were lett
aboard the Fern. which was anchored
at the wharf After the ship got under
way. the men were furnished with waste
and poIishers. and instructed to shine
all OF the brass and nickel aboard ship
The sides OF the craft were oiled. the
deck scrubbed until it was scrupulously
clean. and the ropes and lines all ad-
iusted.
Lifeboats Lowered
The Iifebosts on the sides Of the craft
were lowered after the Oneida got un-,
der way. and several members or the
battalion saw a Hfeboat lowered for the
first time in their lives. In accom-
plishing this ore OF The jackies severely
laceratec a finger. and Lieutenant Cox.
the surgeon, was given an opportunity
TO display his skill The Oneida was
then ordered straight ahead. and Acting
Commander Hopkins did not slacken
Alexandria No attempt was made 10
land there. but the boat vas ordered
back almost upon its arriva! at the his
toric old Virginia town
When the Seventh Street channel was
reached Commander Hopkins had the
boats lowered once more and shipped
almost half OF his crew over to the
Fern, where the men were exchanged
for others who came aboard the Oneida.
and were Immediately put TO work shin
ing the guns. cleaning the cabin. and
preparing the noontide meal. After a
short delay Commander Hopkins or
dered the Oneida straight ahead. and no
stop was made until a place in the river
just opposite Four Mile Run was
reached Al that time Commander Hop
kins received report that the pumps
ordered the anchor lowered
Overcome by Heat.
While the men were repairing the
pumps two men. who had been detailed
in the engine room. were overcome by
heat and medical aid was given them
The boat was started for the Seventh
Street channel again. and a lifeboat with
half a dozen tars in Il was picked up
and towed 10 the wharf where the Fern
was lying When the Oneida pulled IN
next TO the Fern. there was a scramble.
and a number OF the men in the battal-
ion. who are stilI green" were instruct
ed in the art CT landing a steamship al
q wharf in record time
Half OF the men on each Of the boats
were placed IN a Iifeboat and sent
across 70 the Potomac River fats. while
the other half went aboard the Fern
and signaled them. II was intended TO
make third trip down the Potomac. but
Commander Hopkins abandoned the
sdea. and had the fires banked Mess
calls and muster calls were sounded BY
the bugleTs. and after a substantial
meal the men began to tx up the boats
deck once again.
On Board the Fern.
On board the. Fern. Lieutenant Bg-um-
NETT. who commanded the craft. and
Lieutenant Clephane kept their men busy /
cooking and shining up the guns and /
metal work Some OF this had not been l
shined since last year. As soon as one /
crew OF the Oneida became tired. Com 4
mander Hopkins called for tweutv-hve 1
men from the Fern and put them 10
work.
MADE SURE OF DEATH BY