The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1914-02-21
from the National Capitol
Severely Enforced Navy Regulation.
BY Stanton LaWton

UONNNNNNNNNXrNNNrN~O
Severely Enforced Navy Regulation.
In small book of regulations for the
government of the United States navy,
there is six-line paragraph which de-
fines the formalities and ceremonies
to be observed by naval vessel while
passing the home and tomb of George
Washington at Mount Vernon, Va. The
regulation is one of the most severely
enforced in the service, and any COM
manding officer who should slight the
mark of respect due the memory of
the first president and the first CON-
mander-in-chief of the navy, would he
conrt-martialed.
The ceremony is almost rite.
When a naval vessel steams in sight
of Mount Vernon, the watch officer in
charge Of the bridge orders that the
ships bell be tolied. Instantly blue
jacket strikes the clapper, and as long
as Mount Vernon is in sight the bell
weirdly tolls at half-minute intervals.
Turning to the bugler, the officer or
ders the men called to their quarters
When the bluejackets are lined at the
rail nearest the tomb of Washington
attention is sounded. All work is
put aside. Every man stands stiff and
motionless at attention, with his face
toward Mount Vernon.
Just as the ship reaches point in
the Potomac river, opposite Mount
Vernon, the officer in charge of the
detachment of marines brings his
guard to present arms" The ships
band, assembled on the quarter deck,
honors the famous leader with four
ruffles, and then plays the national
anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner"
AS the last note dies away the bugler
sounds taps"
Then, as soon as the haunting calls
have ceased to echo back to the ship
from the high banks of the river, the
ensign, which was brought to half
mast at the first peal of the ships bell,
is again run to the masthead. Garry
on" is sounded, the men relax and re-
turn to their duties; the ship has
swung past Mount Vernon.
This ceremony is observed only be-
tween 8 o'clock in the morning and
sunset. A ship might pass Mount Yer
non dozen times in one day but every
time that the ship passes Washing
toms tomb the bell must toll, the flag
must be brought to half-mast, and the
ceremonies fully carried out.
The custom was originated by an
executive order of President Roose-
welt. Mr.. Roosevelt left Washington
on the presidents yacht, "Mayflower,' y
early one morning, and when Mount
Vernon had been reached the sun was
just coming over the Maryland hills
The Washington home was beautiful
ly colored, and suddenly Mr.. Roosevelt
turned to the commanding officer OF
the Mayfiower, and demanded to know
if he did not intend to salute the tomb
of Washington. 1t was explained to
Mr.. Roosevelt that there never had
been any ceremony required. The
president jumped up and exclaimed:
We'll inaugurate the custom right
now"
The bell was tolled, the flag low
cred to half-mast, the men stood at
attention at quarters, and the band
played The Star Spangled Banner"
On his return to Washington, Presi
dent Roosevelt issued an executive or
der requiring these formalities when
ever warship or other naval vesse
passed the home and tomb of George
Washington-"the first in war. the
first in peace, and the first in the
hearts of his countrymen."
Father McGrath's Catholic Soldiers
and Sailors Companion.
Many publications have been print
ed and distributed for the good of the
soldiers and sailors of the United
States, but no book of this kind hal
gone forth that seems to meet the re
quirements of the enlisted men of bott
branches of the service, as does the
work entitled, Catholic Soldiers ant
Sailors Companion" published b!
Rev. Thomas S. McGrath of New York
The little manual is dedicated "Tt
the Catholic soldiers and sailors o
the United States, who do, dare, ant
suffer, for love of country and flag,
and the work is prefaced by stron,
commentator from Rev. John P
Chadwick, late of the U. S. S. Maine
and now at Saint Joseph's Seminary
at Yonkers, New York, who says:
can experience of almost nine year
as chaplain in the navy of our be
loved country, convinces me that thi
modest little book of Father McGrath'
will be of great benefit to the mel
who serve our flag by land and sea.
"And in these days, when certain
advocates of peace at any price, seen
to find it necessary for their props
ganda to calumniate those who ar