Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-20
COMMENDED FOR ZEAL
NAVAL OFFICER PRAISES DIS
TRICT NAVAL BATTALION.
Official Report Of Cruise of the Puritan
Made to Secretary Of
the Navy.

The Secretary Of the Navy has received a
report from Commander John c. Colwell,
commanding the monitor Puritan, regard
ing the operations of that vessel in connec-
ton with the recent cruise of the naval bat
talon of the District National Guard from
the League Island navy yard to this city.
The ship was placed in commission at the
League Island navy yard at 10 O'Clock Au-
guest 80 with total Of nine officers and
sixty-nine men Of the navy. 1t had previ-
ously been coaled and provisioned. After
receiving stores and outfit in all depart
ments, the vessel cast off from the wharf
on the I'd instant, and moved out into the
stream. ready for sea. At $50 o'clock, the
Sd instant the District Naval Battalion,
composed of fifteen officers. III enlisted
men, boarded the vessel fully armed and
equipped with their baggage.
Commander Colwell says that each man
was given his station billet, messes formed
and as each mess was completed it was
conducted to its mess table, and by Z
o'clock the entire battalion was at supper.
After supper the battalion was again form
ed with bags and hammocks and all men
unprovided with either were supplied; in
all ninety-fve hammocks and eighty-five
bags were issued. Ships divisions formed
conducted to their proper berthing places,
shown their hammock hooks and numbers
and at pm. the ships company was
plped down, completely organized and regu-
lar routine established
On the 4th instant morning routine was
carried out and the ship and crew got
ready for inspection. Commander Colwell
says he found both ship and crew in credit
able condition. 1t being the first Sunday Of
the month, all hands were called to muster
the articles for the government of the navy
were read and general muster was held
The forenoon was fully occupied in this
manner and the ship was placed under
a Cfaa
At $3.50 pm. the vessel got under way and
started down the river. The officers of the
naval battalion were put on duty as regu-
lar watch officers in four watches, three
Junior deck officers and three officers in the
engine room. On the morning of the 9Th in
slant the vessel anchored below Whining
ton, to give the crew further instructions
and opportunity to shake down into
their stations. The ship got under way
early the next day. and after short stop
at Lewes stood out to sea to compensate
compasses and swing for deviation.
Incidents of the Trip.
The report details incidents connected
with the arrival of the ship at Hampton
Roads and stoppages at various points
along the route to this city, including coal
ing from lighters in Hampton Roads. Com
mander ColweH says that a very excellent
record was made in coaling. THE officers
and men of the naval battalion says he,
"all worked with a zeal, intelligence and
efficiency at this unaccustomed duty when
would have been creditable for any man-o'-
wars crew of long commission"
The trip up the Potomac river was made
under easy steam, and washington was
reached at 3:35 pm. on the 18th instant.
Signals were exchanged with the Washing
ton navy yard, and a salute of thirteen
guns was fired from seven guns. Soon after
arrival Gen. Harries, commanding the DIS: DIS.
to the ship with his staff, and was re-
ceived with the usual honors.
The Naval Battalion says Commander
Colwell, lis especially strong in Its steam
engineering and electrical rates. and I re-
gard it as now competent to care for and
take charge Of the engines and electrical
plant AS the force was larger than could
be stationed to advantage below, the sur
plus was stationed in the turret gun divt-
sions for five days, when 1t was shifted
with a corresponding number from the en-
CINE room. With the exception of Few
cases of heat prostration the first day on
board, the engineer division OF the mintla
stood up we'll to its work and acquitted
itself throughout as well as the average
man-of- war engineer division newly in COM
mission. The gun divisions of the naval
battalion are made up chiefly OF entirely
green men; the few who have had any snip
experience have not had II OF a character
that shows for any value on ship or this
class The men were jealous, accompanying
at much hard and unaccustomed work, and
were generally well in hand as to discipline
and deSlrouS OF learning. Ihey al e oS SSl
not competent to perform the various deck
duties of this ship under way and In port
unless under competent supervision.
Intelligent and Jealous.
1.-THE officers of the battalion are intelli-
gent, jealous and anxious to learn, and take
their duties seriously. They lack knowl-
edge of naval methods and seaman's work,
and are cognizant Of their shortcomings.
The cruise of ten days has been of much
benefit to them, but they lack the practical
knowledge to safely handle the ship under
way without supervision. No medical Of
ficer being attached to the ship, those du-
ties were satisfactorily performed by Sur
geon S. c. Cox of the naval militia. The
ship is In excellent condition, and In all
essentials of outfit is ready for sea and
for any naval duty. The items of outfit
not on board can easily be supplied at any
time