Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-10-06
Fire Control Systems on warships.

Fire Control Systems on Warships.
1t is not contemplated by the Navy De-
partment that the new f1re-control systems
to be installed on the battleships shall be
in place before the sailing of the vessels on
the cruise to the Pacific, December 10. The
best that can be done will be to start that
work as soon as the ships reach the navy
yards after finishing target practice in
Cape Cod bay. Because Of the peculiar
nature of the work for which they are in
tended the instruments forming the fire.
control system will have to be especially
manufactured for the purpose. and they
cannot be finished before the date fixed for
the sailing Of the fleet Whether or not
they will be sent across to the Pacific coast
and installed there will be determined here
after.
Champions Of the Navy.
A dispatch received at the Navy De-
partment yesterday from Admiral Swim
burne. at San Francisco. announces that
the base ball team from the cruiser
Charleston defeated the champions Of the
China fleet. The score was to 0. The
champions Of the China feet are made up
from the armored cruisers and other YES
sells which recently arrived at Mare Island
from the Asiauc station.
How to Conform to Militia Law.
In reply to an inquiry from militia au-
thortties as to whether, after January II
next. a regimental organization of less than
twelve companies will conform to the re-
quirements Of the act of January 81 1903
1t is stated at the War Department that a
compliance by the National Guard of Sec
ton Of that law requires that. after
January 81. 1908. each regiment Of in
fantry must consist of twelve companies
organized into three battalions of four
companies each: and each regiment Of cav
airy must consist Of twelve troops, organ
lied into three sQuadrons of four troops
each. and each regiment OF field artillery
must consist of six batteries. organized into
two battalions Of three batteries each.
To Remain at Jamestown.
1t Is stated at the War Department that
1t has been decided to make no change in
the orders of the 23d Infantry, and that
the close of the exposition. Early next
year the regiment Is going to the Philip
pines.
Sale Of Army Rifles.
The government is going to sell about
thirty-five thousand caliber As Springfield
rifles, now unserviceable and Of obsolete
type. They have been supplanted by the
new Springfield rifle. Bids for their pur-
chase will be opened at the Springfield
armory on October 81.
The Oldest Bluejacket.
William Mackabee, the Oldest man-of-
warsman In the United States, and very
likely in the world. celebrated his 1O4th
birthday September q. He had previously
hurt himself by falling, but was out OF
the hospital to meet his friends and tell
again of his experiences as q boy on the
Constitution. He Is at the Naval Home,
Philadelphia
A Girl Naval Recruit.
There was a little excitement one day
when an applicant for enlistment at the
navy recruiting station in the west proved
to be a young girl She was neatly dressed
in male attire. but bucked when told to
strip. When 1t was explained to her that
no one can be enlisted without undergoing
a strict examination by the surgeon she
confessed her sex. and said that she had
a friend on the Franklin and had taken
that method of trying to get transportation
SO she could be near him.
Next Battleship to Be Tried.
Announcement is made at the Navy De-
partment that the trial of the new battle
ship Mississippi will occur about October
Is. This preliminary run will take place
at Delaware breakwater, where there is q
measured mile for the Standardization of
the screws of the ship, following which
the vessel will be run In the open sea for the
usual four hours trial. The Delaware course
has less depth than that of Rockland.
Me-, where these trials usually occur, but
the contractors believe there is sufficient
for the trial of the vessel. and have notified
the Navy Department they are willing to
take the risk of the increased resistance
due to the shoaler water.
Army Orders.
First Lieut. Rudolph n Smyser 18th