Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-12-28

NM Battalion of the National
w Guard Of the District of Co
lumbia, in the best Of con-
dition after a two-month stay at the
Washington navy yard. Commander Jo-
seph A. Dempf, commanding the bat
TALON. is contemplating taking the ves
sci out on It's maiden voyage New Year
day.
The Sylvia has not had a good try
out since she returned from the navy
yard two weeks ago. having made only
the short run between the Washington
navy yard and the dock of the Naval
Battalion, at the foot Of Water and o
streets southwest
1t is proposed to have the vessel leave
the battalion dock early Thursday
some distance, and then to send par
ties OF sailors ashore, where they can
nave an oyster roast. In addition to
giving the members of the battalion a
sood amount OF fine training, they can
enjoy themselves as we'll
Commander Dempf. 1t is announced.
proposes to take the Sylvia out on a
number of Sunday trips during the
winter. and he believed that New Year
day was the best time to inaugurate a
new policy. Should he carry out his
plan of taking the vessel out every
Sunday, 1t Is expected the men will get
d great amount of naval training to
obtain which they enlisted in the naval
militia.
Officers Of the local Naval Battalion.
IL Is declared, propose to make every
attempt to recruit the battalion up to
LIS ,uli strengtn and have the recruits
Wei trained by the time the local naval
militia goes on it's annual cruise next
summer.
The local organization, under the law.
IS emitted to four companies of 100
men each. but now has only three COM
panies. or divisions, as they are term
cd In the navy. AS soon as Commander
Dempf succeeds in getting more officers
IN the battalion. 1t is said. he will es-
tablish the Sd Division. the batta,iop
as now organized consisting of the
LIST. "a and 4th divisions.
- ~ the aim of Commander Dempf
10 keep up his record for efficient or
CARNATIONS, which was established
when he commanded the battaIion o.,
us cruise on the battleship Alabama
last summer. The naval militia is or
sa a Tor the purpose of training
bb..l :;e IN naval work. with a view to
placed on the United States batt1esbins
In time of need
Inc local naval militia last summer
ooaroed the battleship Alabama at Bal
In s,rmore ana cruised to Newport, r. l.,
anu return taking ten days for the trin
Ihere We're seven full days at sea and
tnree at Newport. where the militiamen
were given all the shore leave they
t t 10 see the quaint New England
town and nearby places
Commander Dempf is planninp q oo,,rso
" training for recruits who enlist in the
naval battalion, and to those who make
me most OF their instruction there is much
cnance of advancement for the v.rions
petty officer grades During the ~,
year recruit is to be taught how RI
handie small boat under oar sai,
ana steam. how to ''heave the Lead for
-; Tue puIpose OF fndins the depth of water
IL -. whicn the vessel is cruising and the
KIND OF bottom. and now to box the COM
pass. In addition the recruit is also ey
pected to qualify as a marksman with
smal arms, he is taught the kind of
sphce ropes and how to take proper care
or Clothing. 1t is in reality a posterad,-
| ate course in hardness.
mere are a number of vacancies in tho
pet,y onicef grade In the battalion and
as the organization increases in size II
Will De necessary to fill these positions
and they will have to be filed from The
recruits who have profited most from
their training.
The steam launch of the battalion bas
oeen assigned to the 18th Division. .Ihe
Steam engineering division, to be used
IN teaching recruits how to fire an an
elne ana how to run 1t. in addition to
teaching members of the other divisions
how to steer a boat and how tn 49,
proper landings.
Inc various courses have not been COM
pleted by Commander Dempf. but it is
expected that when the members ne +ha
battalion return January 2. after mare
than three weeks holiday. the COM
lnander VIII have the courses mapped ont
and Instructions prepared for the subordi
nate officers to carry out
x * <
Lieut. Buist C. Getsinger. commandino
omcers OF the 1st Division Of the Naval
Battalion, has gone to his home at Spar-
tanburg, 5. c.. to spend the Christmas
holidays.
Active steps were taken late Yesterday
afternoon by Commander Dempf to make
the year 1914 an important one in the
history Of the Naval Battalion. Orders
were issued for drills to begin January 3.
and every officer OF the battalion has been
armory at O'Clock sharp on that date
for the purpose of a conference at wbiob
the years work will be outlined
Each officer will be called upon to sub-
NIT schedule for drills and schools
This instruction plan is to be mapped ont
In an orderly way so that the enlisted
personnel Of the battalion may get the
most out of it.
The order issued yesterday also provides
for the formation Of the Sd Division of the
Naval Battalion. Ensign Frank w. ST.
courtney was instructed to take charge of
cruiting division. All recruits who come
into the battalion from now on will be
assigned to this division, and will he kept
there until their training is such that
they may be sent to the other divisions.
Following out this policy. Ensign Sigour-
ney will make attempt to have Com
mander Dempf transfer to this division
all Of the men who have enlisted In the
battalion within the last three months.
Chief Boatswain's Mates Ward and
Rooney and Chief @. NJ. Davis have been
assigned to the third division to assist
Ensign Sigourney in the instruction Of
recruits.
The order follows:
"All officers of the Naval Battalion,
without exception, will report promptly
at o'clock Thursday evening, January
s. for the purpose of an officers meet
ing.
The executive officer will prepare
schedule for drill for January 8, and turn
same over to the officer of the deck as
signed for that evening in ample time
that he may familiarize himself with the
drill for the evening. and thereafter will
mr. <1-;f en-