Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-20

talon of the National Guard
of the District of Columbia, intends to
take the U. S. S. Sylvia, training ship
of the naval militia, out on Sunday
practice cruises. Not. only that, but
he declared during the week he wanted
every one of the small boats includ-
ing the steam launches. to make train
ing trips down the river.
THE boats were assigned to US for
practice purposes in training the
young men in the city for naval duties
should the country need them in time
of war, and 1 am going to do my part
in seeing that they are used in help
ing the seamen to obtain higher
ratings"
Owing to the fact that ice in the
river makes it difficult for the opera
ton of small boats in the winter time,
it is necessary to crowd much of the
small boat work in a few months.
Every drill night and Sunday skipped
in the use of the small boats for tram
ing purposes is that much lost time,
according to Commander Dempf. With
only limited time for training the
men in naval duties. he said. it is inn
perative that every minute OF the drill
periods be put to practical use.
The work of directing the naval
miIitiamen in their work is not an easy
one. for many and varied are the differ
ences that must be adjusted. But
Commander Dempf has taken hold of
the work, and he promises that the
ensuing year will be an epoch making
one in the history of the District navat
militia.
With Commander Dempf in command,
and Ensign Harold Crawford the only
other commissioned officer aboard, the
L. s. s. Sylvia left her mooring at the
nj
last Sunday morning at 10 o'clock and
steamed down TO Marshall Hall, where
the men were given liberty until
o'clock in the afternoon. During the
voyage both going and coming the men
were put through the various drills
familiar to Uncle Sans sailor atoat.
The engine, room was in charge OF
Chief Machinist's Mate Eiseman, and
things there below the decks ran just
as smoothly as if there had been a
commissioned officer in the engine room.
The men, more than any one else,
were much pleased with the trip, de-
claring 1t was one of the most success
full voyages they had made. They de-
clared that 1t was successful in every
way.
1t is proposed this morning for the
Sylvia to leave her dock promptly at
10 o'clock and steam down to Alexan-
dria, where the vessel will be anchored
and the. men given shore liberty until
voyage TO Washington will be made
AS on the other trips. the Sylvia or
this Voyage will be in command OF
Commander Dempf.
The whaleboats assigned to the loca
naval militia were ordered out in the
river last Thursday night by Com
mander Dempf For nearly two hours
up and down the river within tn.
harbor limits. The men Of the Sd Di
vision. who had out their spic anc
span white whaleboat. pulled a strong
hard to beat in any race. Several Of
the men were given training to fit then
for coxswains. among them being
George Rose and w. H. Boteler.
w. H. Boteler of the Sd Division ha.
been given Sthe rating of boatswa ain.
mate, third class. Boteler took hi
practical examination in charge OF o.,
night and displs yed his ability t
handle a boat under oars. Soon afte
the boat was tied up for the nigh,
Lieut.. Sigourney, comma, d ing the >,
Division. handed Boteler his Warran
designating him IS petty officer Q
the naval militia of the District.
Boteler. according to his division com
mander. has been one of the most faith
full workers in the battalion. He i
earnest in his work and has shown
strong desire to reach the rating h
has just received. In handing him hi
rating, Lieut. Sigourney explained t
him what was to be expected as
petty officer.
At the Sc me time the Sd Dfvisio
commander declared that some of tn
men of his division who had been rate
as petty officers had not shown thei
interest In the rating and he intende
70 make number of changes. Thos
among the seaman branch in this di
vision who have shown themselves ca
pable and who have displayed interes
IN the work Of the division are to b