Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-19
SYLVIA IS IN PORT
FOR D. c. SAILORS
Battalion to Take Frequent
Cruises on Craft to Keep
in Training.

The Z. S. S. Sylvia. temporarily as
signed to the Naval Battalion. N. G. D. c.,
arrived at the battalion's dock at the
foot of Water and o streets southwest
late yesterday afternoon, after an un-
eventful voyage from Colonial Beach.
After lying at Colonial Beach part of
Sunday and Sunday night. the little
craft put out at o'clock yesterday
morning and came slowly up to Wash
ington. The officers and members Of the
crew which brought the vessel to Wash
ington were not long in abandoning the
ship and making for their homes after
the arrival here, although one or two
of the naval militiamen did remain
aboard with the regular sailors who are
assigned to the vessel. The Sylvia has
five regulars
Undergoing Cleaning.
The work of cleaning up the craft was
begun Immediately by the regular crew,
and naval militiamen will assist them
from day to day. All of the members
of the battalion who attend drill next
Thursday night probably will be mus
tered in to help clean the vessel. Then
will come the painting.
She is quite dirty on the outside, but
with generous coating of white paint
she will look like new. 1t is probable
that the vessel will be anchored out in
the Potomac within the next week or
two, when the painting will be done, as
it is difficult to paint the craft while
she is tied up at the dock.
Fully fifty members of the battalion,
it was said, may be accommodated on
the vessel on any of the practice cruises
that the battalion will take from time
to time on drill nights and on Satur-
days and Sundays. The quarters of the
enlisted men are in the after part of
the ship. and that of the chief petty
officers in the extreme forward part.
The commissioned officers quarters are
amidships. The vessel has five state
rooms and can comfortably accommo-
date six officers.
The captains cabin is located in the
superstructure forward. and is we'll
lighted The galleys are also on the
superstructure aft of the cabin. There
is no commu ication between the four
compartments below decks. persons de-
string to go from one compartment to
the other being compelled first to go
on deck The engine and fire rooms are
all together and separate the enlisted
mems quarters from the officers quar-
Pleased With Vessel.
The officers and enlisted men OF the
Naval Battalion who made the trip are
much pleased with the little craft. II
will give them something to train on
while awaiting the arrival of the u. s. 8
Wasp. a much larger vessel, about the
first of the year.
Having in mind the recent order OF the
Navy Department requiring that nava
militia organizations having government
vessels must make use Of them FOL
training purposes. Commander Dempf Is
already planning to make number OF
cruises. In addition to making regular
Saturday and Sunday trips. 1t is probable
that the vessel will be taken out OFTEN or
drill nights for short cruises down the
river. All of the members OF the bat
talon cannot make Saturday and Sunda!
trips, so to give them all taste or thu
naval life it is expected that Commando
Dempf will frequently order the vesse
out Thursdays. the regular drill night!
for the local sailors.