Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-30
PURITAN TRANSFERRED
DOUBLE-TURRETED MONITOR IN
POSSESSION OF NAVAL MILITIA.
Formal Exercises Today-Delivered by
Capt. Colwell, Received by Lieut..
Commander Brummet

The double-turreted monitor Puritan was
formally turned over to the Naval Bat
TALON of the District National Guard 1T
1l:1I O'Clock today by Captain John g.
Colwell. United States navy, formerly naval
attache of the embassy at London, who
represented the Navy Department in the
transaction Thus for the time being the
naval force of the District of Columbia was
increased to a squadron of three war YES
sels-the Puritan. the Fern and the naval
yacht Oneida-all of which are lying at
the 18th street wharf, or in close proximity
to it.
After the orders were read by Captain
Colwen placing the Puritan out of COM
mission in the United States naval service
and turning the big war vessel over to
Lieutenant Commander r. b. Brummet
who represented General George III. Har-
ries. all hands aboard were called to mus
ter As the flag of the Puritan was lowered
in token of the transfer the ships buglor
sounded the notes of Retreat" known as
the shutdown melody" AS the last notes
OF the bugle died away and the coIo:s
came down to the deck Captain ColweI
declared the monitor out of commission
Then followed a great scampering of the
forty-two regular navy tackles" who
came around on the Puritan from Philadel-
effects for shipment to the Quaker city
where they will be assigned temporarily to
the receiving ship Lancaster. Many of these
regulars have seen long service in foreign
waters, the golden inscriptions on their
caps indicating that they had served on
the following ships: Annapolis, Buffalo
Brooklyn. Lancaster. Yankee Vicksburg
Columbia, Concord. Alert Prairie and the
Rainbow the little STATION ship at the Cavite
arsenal, Manila Among the crew were
several active little Japs. who are serving
creditably. it is said, in Uncle Sans navy
The party returned to Philadelphia In
har of of lsnn IT,.
Dunning.
Colors Again Hoisted
The ceremony of placing the Puritan in
commission for the Naval Militia OF the
District and hauling up the colors followed.
The articles of war were read and the
monitor declared the property of the local
navy until otherwise ordered
The Puritan presented a pretty picture as
she lay at anchor in the channel off Wash
ington barracks during the ceremony. She
had steam up and long lines of gray smoke
from her funnel were carried down stream
by the brisk breeze. The great monitor
was respondent in her new coating of
peace paint and the long Pinch guns in
her turrets pointed frowningly toward the
city.
The Fern. 1t was stated will be turned
over 10 the bureau of navigation, Navy De-
partment, in few days An officer of the
District Naval Battalion said she would
probably be taken to Norfolk and thrown
-, 'tiS juhN p'ie, as ne expressed IT, Tor
the reason that she has been condemned
and is considered unfit for further active
service. The Fern was originally in the
lighthouse service tender, and was
added TO the regular naval establishment at
the time of the war with Spain, 1t is said
she has seen all kinds of service" said
the District officer. THE naval militias OF
several states after her / hear but [
believe she will be permanently put out of
business"
The District Force
The statement was made today that the