Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-08-07
NAVAL RESERVES
OF FOUR STATES
MAKE A CRUISE TOGETHER ON
LAKE MICHIGAN WITH
SQUADRON
Plan Conceived by Captain Purdy,
Commanding the Illinois Divisions
Illinois, Ohio, Michigan and Mime
sofa.

Chicago, Aug. 4.-The naval reserves
of the states of Illinois, Ohio, Michl-
gan and Minnesota will make cruise
together beginning today.
In this cruise. which was suggested
by Captain w. F. Purdy, commanding
the Illinois naval reserves, and which
was heartily approved by the navy de-
partment in Washington, the sea
forces of Illinois will be represented
by division of men on board the
cruiser Dorothea. Ohio will send two
vessels-the Essex and the Hawk
manned by seamen from Cleveland and
Toledo, respectively. Michigan will
bring to the rendezvous the former
gunboat Yantic, which, like the Essex,
has made many distant cruise in the
the Gopher, formerly borne on the
navy register as the Fern, which will
be manned by the naval reserves hail.
ing from Duluth.
Mothering this fight of sea-gulls will
be that fine old specimen of absolute
marine architecture, the Wolverine
formerly known in the regular navy as
the Michigan.
Department Approves.
The advantages of combined cruise
Of the naval reserve forces of the lake
states will be appreciated by every ex.
pert in naval drill and discipline. Not
only will the men of each state pos.
sible for the sake Of comparison with
the reserves of neighboring states, but
the opportunities for exercise on an un
usual scale 1t Is believed will raise the
efficiency Of all the crews participating
in the weeks maneuvers When
Captain Purdy brought the idea of this
rendezvous to the notice of the assist
ant secretary of the navy, who has the
affairs of the naval reserves under his
especial charge, Mr.. Newberry who
was an experienced commander in the
naval reserve of Michigan before he
was called to the second place In the
navy department Immediately gave his
hearty support to the suggestion and
promised that he would himself attend
the rendezvous, If his official duties
permitted him to do so.
1t is expected also, that three officers
from the North Atlantic fleet will be
detailed to duty with the naval reserve
| squadron, and possibly Commander c.
| E. Vreeland from the navy department
will be present to make suggestions tc
the reserves and to learn their needs
and possibilities.
1t Is the intention Of the navy de.
partment that Commander Henry Nor.
rell, commanding the q. 8. 8. Wolver.
Inc, shall act as flag officer Of the
squadron Of Naval Reserve vessels
which will rendezvous at South, Mani
tou Island, near the head of Lake
Michigan on Monday, August 6. The
different divisions Of the Illinois Naval
Reserve have been making weekly
cruises aboard the Dorothea ever since
June 80, but the exceptional feature OF
the early August week is the fact that
the vessels of other states will be
present, and the exercises will, there
fore, be Of a more interesting charac
ter than they are usually.
The commanding officers Of the ships
will be as follows:
Dorothea, Captain w. F. Purdy; Els
sex, Lieutenant Commander A. F. Nick
let; Hawk, Lieutenant F. R. Seamon
Yantic, Commander F. D. Standish, and
Gopher, Commander @. A. Baton.
Following is the schedule of drills
ordered by the flag officer of the
squadron:
Monday. Aug. 6-Boat drill by ships
under oars; school of ship and section:
night drill with Very signals.
Tuesday, Aug. FLEET boat drill un
der oars and sails; school Of ship and
section; night drill with Ardois sig
nails.
Wednesday, Aug. 8-Landing party
fleet maneuvers; torpedo attack repell
ing between D. m. and midnight by
ships having searchlights.
! Thursday. Aug. 9.TRide and pistol