Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-05-03

1t is a necessary training. said Com
mander Dempf. as the vessel cannot be
expected to make only day trips. Then,
when the men are taken on the regular
battleships and cruisers for their annual
cruises they will not feel timid at stand
ing regular watches at night when it is
difficult to see very far ahead.
The large amount of infantry and heavy
artillery drill which has been the prac-
tice during the winter months in the drill
hall, Commander Dempf said, will be
suspended. and the men will be kept on
the water as much as possible. Racing
boat crews will be trained. and the spirit
of competition will be enthused into
Washington naval militia organization
the best in the country. There are a
number of whaleboats, motor boats and
a steam launch assigned the battalion.
in addition to the yatch Sylvia. and these
are turned over to the men for instruc-
ton purposes, out of which many of them
get good deal Of pleasure. When the
drills are over on the water the men are
not required to turn the boats in i'm
mediately. but are permitted to get as
much pleasure out of them as they want.
In fact, those who do not make the Sun
day trips on the Sylvia do take the boats
out on the river for pleasure purposes,
at the same time getting practice which
will be useful to them in handling such
craft in actual service.
In the naval militia the men are taught
wireless telegraphy, signaling of all
kinds. seamanship. how to handle all
kinds of boats, and even steam engineer
ing. During his first six months in the
battalion the recruit is taught how to
pull a good oar" how to heave the
lead to find the depth of the water over
which the ship is steaming, how to box
the compass, how to tie all manners and
forms of knots, and how to take proper
care of clothing.
Tn ia months the
militiaman will advance just as fast as
his qualities will permit to gunnery work.
signaling, wheelman. etc. Three years
enlistment in the naval militia has been
termed "a postgraduate course in hand
mess" The instruction given both In the
winter schools and the practical applica-
ton during the summer enable the mem
bers to take care of themselves under
all conditions.
An enlistment requires approximately
two hours work a week and gives in re-
turn the finest exercise out in the open
away from the vitiated air of shop or
store. It's work is entirely new and fasci-
mating and gives rest and relaxation by
it's absolute change from conditions
ashore.
For about two weeks during the sum
mer the battalion is taken aboard one of
Uncle Sans big battleships or cruisers
for a cruise lasting about two weeks,
during which the men are taken to some
city on the Atlantic coast, where they
are given two or three days shore liberty
to see the sights. This year the cruise is
Tennessee. flagship of the Atlantic re-
serve fleet.
At the present time the local naval
militia has as its practice boat the con-
verified yacht Sylvia. which, however, is
soon to be relieved by a larger vessel. the
U. S. s. Wasp. The Wasp is now at the
for her voyage to Washington. On her
trip here she will be manned by crew
Of officers and men from the local naval
militia
Promptly at 10 o'clock today the
Sylvia will put out from her dock at
the foot of Water and o streets south
west for trip down the river. She
is scheduled to return about s o'clock
vided up into two watches. and the
men who are not standing duty either
on deck or in the engine room are
allowed to lounge about t. the decks and
to use their time as they desire.
The Wasp is expected to arrive at
Washington within the next fifteen
days, and Commander Dempf said that
he soon would begin the picking of the
assist in bringing the vessel to Wash
ington.
Frank w. Sigourney last week re-
ceived his commission promoting him
from the grade Of ensign to that of
lieutenant. Junior grade. in the Naval
Battalion. Since his connection with
the battalion under Commander Dempf.
Lieut. Sigourney has been active in the
upbuilding of the organization. and has
been the right-hand man of the COM
handing officer. He received his COM
mission as an ensign just year ago.
and was quick to seize the opportunity
for promotion when vacancy was Gre
ated.
During his year as an ensign he was
aid-de-camp to Commander Dempf. and
a little more than month ago organ
lied the third division of the battalion.
which has grown by. leaps and bounds
until it is now the largest division in
the organization. He has been untiring
in his efforts to keep up the interest
of his men. and each Thursday drill
night usually has some new competition
to present for them to work for. He is
working to make this division one of
the largest in the battalion. and it is
predicted that by the time thAA bat
TALON starts on is annual cru or