Evening star., 1912-09-01
REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE.

It is a rare occurrence for the vessels
Of the revenue cutter service. stationed
upon the great lakes. to be called upon to
search for a derelict which Is menac1ng
the safety of navigation. Such, however.
was the task the cutter Tuscaroras. sta
toned at Milwaukee, had last week. Ac-
cording to reports the hulk OF an aban-
doned vessel was adrift on Lake Michi-
gan. about sixty miles south of Milwau-
kee. and in position to endanger the
safety Of shipping to and from Chicago.
The cutter spent three days cruising IN
the vicinity Of where the hulk was re-
ported to have been seen, but hnding
nothing finally returned to her station
and reported to the department here that
nothing could be found on the lake In the
shape of a derelict.
The cutter Apache. Capt. Carmine,
which was in port here several DAYS last
week. has returned to Baltimore, but rs
expected to return to this city today. me
cutter is under orders to patrol the course
above the Highway bridge for the miooie
states regatta, which takes place at TINS
city tomorrow. The Launches OF the CUT
ter, under the command OF officers or the
ship and others detailed from the depart
ment here, will police the course to see
that passing vessels or pleasure craIt 90
not interfere with the races. The cutter
Onondaga, at Norfolk. probably would
have Also been ordered here, but for the
fact that she is at the Noriolk navy yaro
for repair work.
The practice cutter Itasca. with the
classes from the school Of instruction at
New London, Conn, has completed her
summer cruise OF instruction and has re-
turned to the school at Fort Trumbull.
In the past ten days or two weeks the
Itasca has been in Gardeners Bay, Mass.
instruction in handling small boats, tar
get practice with the big guns. as well
as with small arms, ship evolutions and
other matters pertaining to their chosen
profession. Commencing with today the
cadets are allowed leave Of absence until
September % at which time the fall ses-
sion Of the school will begin. The cadets
are given permission to visit their homes
while on leave.
After doing some special service at re-
gattas in the vicinity of New London. in
the next ten days. the Itasca will be
brought to the Arundel Cove station OF
the service, near Baltimore, and will be
turned over to the commanding officer of
the station to receive a thorough over
hauling in preparation for service If
needed during the next winter cruising
season.
The summer season Is one OF COM
paratfye inactivity for the vessels OF
the revenue cutter service. There are
few calls made for assistance by ves-
sells in distress. and the routine work
of the cutters is not very exciting. In
the past year OF Two numerous Calls
have been made upon both officers and
vessels Of the service to take charge
Of the courses Of regattas. and now no
boat or yacht club Of any standing can
hold a regatta without requesting the
presence of a cutter to keep the course
open for the racing boats.
In the past week the cutter Rush, at
San Diego. Cal, patrolled the course of
the Upton cup races which were neld
under the auspices % OF IL the San Iasso Diego
the cutter Gresham, at Boston. will
patrol the course Of the Bermuda cup
race, which takes place off Quincy.
Mass, the contesting vessels sailing
from Nut Island. Quincy. to Volunteer
rock, at Marblehead, and thence to the
lightship. The Gresham will accompany
the yachts over the course. and will see
that the racing craft are not interfered
with by non-racing craft.
When the review OF the big fleet OF
American warships. which will assemble
at New York, takes place on the Hud-
son. October 13 to Is. vessels OF the
revenue cutter service will have in
charge the keeping clear the route OF
the big ships. For this service orders