Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-05
Sail From Newport, r. l.,
Aboard the U. S. S. Alabama
for Gardiners Bay.
HIGH PRAISE ACCORDED
TO DISTRICT RESERVES
Rear Admiral Badger and Com.
mander Preston Laud Work and
Appearance Of Men.
Special From a Staff Correspondent.

Special From a Staf Correspondent.
NEWPORT. r. J.. July 5.-The good
ship Alabama. with the District Naval
Battalion aboard. is now steaming for
GARDENERS bay, Long Island There the
local boys VIII try their hands at the big
guns on the Alabama and will undoubted-
ly prove to the regular naval officers that
they could make ii hot for an enemy In
time of war.
GARDENERS bay will be reached this aft
ernoon, according to schedule. Tomorrow
being Sunday and an of day. the vessel
will remain at anchor. Monday. however.
the real work will begin. There will be
one days shooting at the moving tar
gets under various conditions. also there
will be searchlight displays in which the
officers and men of the naval reserve will
be given a chance TO show how they
would defend the ship against torpedo at
tack.
The Alabama will then remain at an
chor until about Wednesday. when she
will put out for Baltimore, which. accord
ing to the present schedule will be reach
ed Friday morning.
Weighs Anchor at 8 O'Clock.
At 1880 this morning the last boat
left shore bringing the last of the lib
erty parties to the ship. Shortly after
s the Alabama weighed anchor and got
under way.
After almost two days ashore the
militia jackies are now anxious TO
work at the big guns and display their
prowess. The buglers' call for battle
stations and clear ship for action can
not come too quickly for them.
The officers and men OF the District
naval militia spent practically all of
yesterday in Newport and at the vari-
Gus amusement resorts in the vicinity.
thoroughly enjoying their liberty.
, They have earned all the liberty they
have received, for the work on a bat
tleship is hard. and even harder for
those who only get a taste of 1T for a
short period each year. But the Dis
trict boys don't mind. They come from
| the engine and fire rooms with faces
! blackened and muscles hardened. but
through the smut and CRIME on their
faces a smile can always be seen.
Change in Watches Necessary.
Shortage Of men has made it neces-
sary to change the watches in the engi-
neer division. Heretofore the men
have been working four hours on and
twelve off. but now they will have TO
But they even greeded this with q
smile, for they realiz6 they VIII get
more experience.
Commander Dempf is proud of the
pectations. and he is well pleased. as
| the men deserve great credit. Com
mander Preston. In talking to Tne
Stars correspondent, praised Com
and also lauded the men for the eff
/ cient manner in which they have
worked while aboard ship.
Commander Preston is particularly
4 hi raIl
as the naval militiamen, get, and he
even asks them how they are getting fed.
He is doing SO much to help his men
| that In every part of the vessel they
speak Of him in the highest terms
Admiral Badger Voices Praise.
| The condition in which the Districts
Naval Reserves. together with the skele-
ton crew of regulars. had kept the Ala
bama on her trip northward has been the
source of glowing compliment by Rear
Admiral Badger to Commander Preston.
Admiral Badger made it known in no un-
certain terms that he appreciated the
work of the reserves. He uttered his
statement after he had made an inspec-
| ton OF all parts of the ship.
| Yesterday was one of official calls and
honors aboard all the ships in the harbor.
| There was Admiral Badgers flagship. the
dreadnaught Wyoming. the mine-layer
| San Francisco. the cruiser Dixie, the We
suvius. Montgomery and a number of 9TH
| er naval craft including the little torpedo
boats. All the vessels dressed at morning
colors and the sight Of the vari-colored
| flags flying from the rigging was an I'M
posing one.
When Admiral Badger was piped over
/ the starboard gangway there We're SIX
side boys and the bugler sounded his call.
| Commander Preston was the first TO greet
| the admiral and Commander Dempf.
skipper of the District Naval Battalion.
who is now executive officer of the Ala
bama, was next. Then the other regular
and militia officers greeted the admiral.
Newport Ablast With Explosives.
While Washington was enjoying a safe
and sane Fourth. Newport was literally
ablast with explosives. The firing OF
| small explosives in the town was aug
mented at noon by the booming of the
guns Of all the ships In the harbor.
Promptly at noon all of the naval vessels
burst forth with their saluting guns. They
kept il up at minute intervals until the
national salute of twenty-one guns had
been fired
1 Commander Harrison, now commanding
the San Francisco. and who is well
known in service circles in Washington.
also called on Capt. Preston. Following
Admiral Badgers call on the Alabama,
! Ensigns Nudge, Thompson and Sigourney
| of the District contingent paid an officidA
| call on Admiral Badgers aid. Nearly ali
| of the Naval Reserves were given liberty
! even though some of them had il Thurs
/ day. shortly after the Alabama anchored
| Commander Preston has shown DISPOSE
| ton to be as lenient with the men as pos
| Sible.
All Men Had Good Time.
All of the men had a good time
both aship and ashore. They took
| i'm many of the places of interest about
| the town and vicinity, some going as far
| as Boston The Alabama anchored Late
/ Thursday. She came into port to the
| booming of guns. AS the vessel neared
the harbor the bugier sounded all hands
| to quarters" When the lines OF white
| uniformed jackies We're drawn on quar-
! ter deck facing the flagship, thirteen min
1 ute guns the admirals salute, were
| given As the sound of the last shot
1 from the Alabama's guns died away
| puff OF smoke followed a second or Two
\ NV boom, announced the flagship
| renly. The Louisiana, which was Ina the
| harbor. put to sea shortly after the Ala
| bama anchored. -
| Commander Preston went 10 pay MS
| commitments to Admiral Badger. Upon
| his return the liberty parties began Song
/ ashore and the little launches were kept
busy therg, making their three-mile rum
I from ship to shore.