The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-08-08
DISTRICT JACKIES
BACK FROM CRUISE
Naval Battalion Brought to
Washington on Two
Lighters.

One hundred and fifty drowned
young men and their of6cers-members
OF the District Naval Battalion-reached
Washington this afternoon after ten
days service as part of the fighting
force of the United states navy.
They had Just completed their annual
summer cruise. which this year, for the
first time in their histor-, was spent
aboard warships. the Mississippi. the
New Hampshire. and the Massachusetts.
The last three days Of the cruise were
spent along the Atlantic coast, where
the Atlantic battleship fleet had engaged
IN series of evolutions.
The District Naval Battalion has been
away Just nine days They left Wash
ington on July 30 and reached Hampton
Roads yesterday at noon when the fleet
evolutions were completed Together
with numbers of Pennsylvania and New
Jersey naval battaIions the District bat
talon was transferred TO the auxiliary
cruiser Prairie, which landed them at
Alexandra just before noon today.
Brigadter General Harries and his ad-
jutant, Colonel Smiley, already had
been Informed by wire Of the approach
OF the battalion. and they had the navy
tug Triton go down to meet them.
Transferred To Triton.
The miiltiamen were transferred from
the cruiser TO two lighters, which were
taken to Washington by the Triton.
II took about forty-five minutes for
Commander Samuel Stratton to load
his baggage and men aboard the two
lighters. one Of which was occupied
by the District boys and the other by
the Pennsylvania and New Jarsey
contingents. The Jerseyltes and Penn
sylvanians were commanded by Capt
Albert De Unger, u the New Jersey
battalion. They viii go by train to
their homes this afternoon.
Not a man among the District con-
tingent was sick during the nine DAYS
they were away nor way one Of them
punished for infractions of discipline, az
coTding TO Commander Stratton. The
commander himself a veteran Of num-
Der OF similar cruises. fairly dubbed
with enthusiasm as he related how well
the boys had gone through the expert
ence Of eating. bunking, maneuvering,
nghtinz and playing with professional
Jack Iars.
Capable Seamen.
This cruise he said, has proved to
be the most successful so far made and
il proves also that the naval militiamen,
although lacking to certain extent
The expert nee OF the professional sail
ors, are equally capable in the handling
of big ships"
The Atlantic battleship fest. composed
Of twelve vessels, left Provincetown,
Mass, the naval rendezvous, last We'd
nesday mOrHng.
Three days were consumed in making
the run along the coast TO Hampton
Roads. During this time the fleet en-
gagged IN q series of battle formations in
which were Included target practice,
night attacks. submarine evoIutions. and
the whole list Of big and small things
which 90 TO make up a sailors life.
The second division Of the District
battalion, which IS commanded BY
Lieutenant Dempf. especially dis
finguished itself in the target practice.
The scores il made according to the
District version caused the gunners of
she regular navy TO open their eyes IN
management
Of For Homes.
The Pennsylvania and New Jersey
boys made part of the crew Of the
Battleships Kansas and Vermont. Like
the District militismen, they are en-
1huslastic over their experiences. and
not a man was sick during the en-
tire trip. They win not tarry in Wash
ington, being eager 10 return to their
homes, and win leave the Capital by
way Of the Pennsylvania railroad at
& O'Clock this afternoon.
So well satisfied are the officers Of
the navy with the showing made by
the naval militiamen, that next year,
IN all probability, these citizen sailors
VIII be entrusted with one Of the
cruisers Of the navy.