New-York tribune., 1908-08-13
NEW YORKER FINE SHOT
LEADS IN TARGET WORK.
State NaUal Militia Also Makes
Highest Score IN Competition.
IRy relerrapf, to The Tribune ]

Greenport N Y, Aug 12-The naval militia
from New York State to-day the interstate
target practice in Gardeners Bay, where fifteen
hundred naval nitiamen mobilized on board a
fleet in battle formation. The target compe-
tition held yesterday and to-day between the
six state divisions here New York attained gem
eral average of eight and fve-hundredths hits
minute.
The feet is anchored tonight off Gardiner S
Island about fifteen minutes from here and con-
sists of six torpedo boats, two submarines, two
converted cruisers, the Yankee ana the
Prairie: two navy tugs. the old frigate Portsmouth
and the gunboat Machas The entire squadron is
under the direction of Commanders Marsh and
Ackerman Z. S. N. Naval militia from six states
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut. Rhode Island
Massachusetts, and Maine-nan the vessels. and
each division competed in the target practice con-
test.
The best individual record also went to the New
York contingent being made by J. Purdy. 1st Bat
TALON. Manhattan Purdy, who is a craftsman IN
the employ of the Board of Education, smashed all
individual records by scoring thirteen and FOUR
hundredths hits minute. The targets were resu-
laton navy targets. and were fired at from range
of LOO yards. Each time. as the Prairie steamed
along one side of an equiateral triangle and came
abreast the targets. the volunteer gunners let go
with the three-inch rifles.
The scout cruiser Prairie lifted anchor promptly
80 o'clock this morning with details on poaro
from the Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut ana
Rhode Island battalions. BY o'clock she was
describing immense circles around a canvas target
standing out of the between Block and Smell
ter Islands. Other details were sent ABOARD tne
torpedo boats Stringham, De Long and Ihorntoh'
and taken to sea for practice in the art OF nrlns
torpedoes. .
Some of the officers with the fleet were detained
aboard the submarine Octopus. and several piunses
were made in her. much to the delight OF all con-
cerned The naval mtiamen are as keen ~
schoolboys about things of that kind. Whlch nave
q spice of dash and go in them, but "hen 'hey
are nut to the real fundamental work OF learning
rhe thousand and one details of nav1gat1on' ana
the clothing feeding and quarterlng OF the crew.
their blood slows up and time does not pass 80
fast.
The real work of the cruise has not yet oesun,
and time hangs a little heavily on the hanos OF
the men. Beginning tomorrow, however tnat
will all come to an end. Assistant secretary
Newberry is expected early in the morning ana
real naval labor will begin An attack Will then
be made on the Long Island shore, half the force
manning the ships the other half the defences
There will be day and night attacks with landlhs
parties and drills of every description
The New Jersey men have come in for special
praise from the naval officers for their handling
of the old frigate Portsmouth She makes a beau
tifu picture, but Commander Charles n. Marsh,
in charge of the fotilla, looks with disfavor upon
her He declares she is utterly useless and has
promised obtain modern boat for the Jersey
boys The work Of the assembled squadron will
not be finished until Sunday morning.