New-York tribune., 1908-08-02

the Norfolk navy yard. and another for the Pacific
Coast at Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco
Bay When the Atlantic feet left Hampton Roads
something like four thousand of the men who had
been recently enlisted were sent from Newport to
the battIeships. there having been no opportunity
to train them This Of course, was in the nature
of an emergency. as il was desired to have the
enlisted complement Of all the ships more than
full This would not ordinarily occur, and it is
intended hereafter to give sufficient time for the
training of the newly enlisted for the service
ships Of war
The system of instruction begins when the recruit
reaches training station. He is then subjected
TO rigid physical examination, which is followed
by detention of tventy-four hours precaution
against the spread Of contag gious diseases He then
receives his outfit of clothing which has a value
$50. increase from the old allowance, which
was S45 The first three weeks Of the career Of the
newly enlisted at a training station Is de-
voted to primary work in seamanship. Most Of the
young men need this preliminary instruction, as
some of them have never seen vessel and are
ignorant Of the first principles Of navigation.
part Of the early instruction is the inculcation Of
habits Of cleanliness and an appreciation Of the
need of discipline This includes the care Of the
young mans clothing. and the instructions go so
far TO show how he may scrub and dry his ap-
parel and pack the bag which he instead of a
trunk.
It is in this early training also that the recruit
is taught to swim At Newport there is excel
lent swimming pool. for which the water is heated
for use in the winter months, 1t has been a sur
prise TO the naval officers 70 know how many boys
who enlist IN the navy have knowledge OF
swimming
The work the training station is along the lines
of the duties which the young will have to
perform on board ship 1t is on a practical basis
entirely and the conditions Of life, including the
discipline and regulation OF conduct are all such
exist O. 4 vessel IN commission. This goes so
sIaa and he
newly enlisted is broken in 10 take his nights
repose In hammock, that he may get used 10
that resting place when he is on board ship To
the boy who first goes to Newport it IS sometimes
a question with him whether he can sleep at all
in hammock. but he soon gets into the habit, ard
prefers that to any other way Of taking his nights
recuperatjon.
Other instruction includes boxing the compass
training in signalling, instruction in the technical
features ships and in handling boats. Much of
this work IS under the charge OF petty officers who
are specially selected for the work of instruction
and who are experienced men. with faculty OF
imparting their knowledge to their juniors.
The apprentice seanen at Newport are divided
into four classes. When the new man has served
his preliminary OF instruction and is as
signed to duty with the battalion work begins in
earnest. He arise at $50 o'clock in the morn
ing to the sound of the buEle lash uD his ham
mock. sip a bowl OF hot cocoa and spend an hour
IN cleaning and scrUbbng. This is the time when
the personal laundering is done, and when the
harnrnocks bags etc. cleaned. At o'clock
the men march into the mess hall for breakfast,
which IS followed by sick calls. quarters and pray
ers Then the time until noon IS spent IN recita-
ton instruction OF one sort or another. After
the midday meal work IN the classroom or in the
field is resumed and the latter part of the after
noon rs devoted recrea tiCn. which Is continued
after supper At S:35 the hammocks are taken
down for the night and at O'Clock the men must
turn in for sleep. The instruction is thorough and
embraces all the work which the enlisted man IS
likely be called to perform in any capacity
board ship member OF landing parties
There are facilities at Newport for instance. for
craftsmanship with revolver and rife. There is
instruction also In rapid fire guns and artillery
manoeuvres The who show q special fitness
for this sort of work sent to the gunnery
school at the Washington navy yard, where they
may develop proficiency in craftsmanship
There are practice cruises small sailing yes
sells Long Island Sound. that the apprentice
seanen may become familiar with the handling Of
boats and know instantly what is required OF them
when they are attached vessel IN commission
Special attention OF course, is given TO physical
exercise. At Newport there is gymnasium. and
besides the regular athletic work there are such
activities as fencing boxing and wrestling. TO say
nothing OF outdoor sports such as baseball and
football In the summer boat races are encour-
aged and these are kept up after the apprentices
join the ship.