Evening star., 1914-04-26


aboard the little naval craft. When they
came aboard they were saluted by six side
boys at the gangway, and the boat
swain's mates piped them over the side.
I, At the conclusion of the cruise Com
mander Dempf told the officers who made
it that it was one Of the most successful
voyages made by the battalion since the
little Sylvia had been in their possession.
them that 1t was through their efforts, as
well as those members of the enlisted
personnel of the battalion who were
aboard. that he. was able to make such
a fine showing to the Commissioners.
Those officers who made the trip were.
besides the commander, Lieut.. Charles
NJ Smithson, chief engineer: Ensign Will
liam R. Hoefer. ordnance officer; Ensign
Harold Crawford. navigator; Ensign
Frank W. Sigourney, commanding the
third division. and Ensign Paul v.
Thompson and Ensign F. L.. Nudge of
the engineering division.
division of the Navy Department yes
terday that within the next three weeks
the U. S. S. Wasp. now at New York.
will be. in Washington as the practice
not be necessary for this vessel to await
the inspection of the board Of inspec-
ton and survey of ships, as Is customary
before repairs are made to make her
SedWUTIny, Dul, through +Ine enOrIS OF
Commander F. B. Bassett. jr, U. S. n,
in charge of naval militia affairs. in
structions were issued for the COM
mandant Of the New York navy yard
to make the inspection and to proceed
with any necessary repairs. During the
week the vessel was sent to the Brook
lyn navy yard for the inspection and re-
pairs, and it is said that these will not
take very long.
Last Thursday the gunboat Isla de
of WpSt md
1, 1t was estimated that 1t would take her
four days to make the trip. 1t is prac-
ticaily certain now that as soon as the
repairs on the Wasp are completed the
movement to Washington.
The Wasp will come to Washington
by the outside passage without the
services of convoy, and reports that she
naval vessel are denied at the Navy De-
partment
Continuing his plans to keep up the
training of his men by frequent trips on
the Sylvia, Commander Dempf last
Thursday night issued orders for that
vessel to leave her dock at 10 o'clock
sharp today for a practice cruise down
the sriver. She is due to return to her
dock at 5 In the evening. and is expected
to steam as far as Indian Head, where
she will come to anchor, and, If weather
conditions permit, shore boats will main
tain a service between the proving
rough water last Sunday Commander
Dempf deemed 1t unsafe to unship any
of the small boats to permit any of the
party to make the shore.
;, The program for the annual cruises of
the naval militia organizations of the
country was published during the week
by the militia division of the Navy De-
partment.- The armored cruiser Tennes-
see has been picked out for the Naval
Battalion of the National. Guard of the
District of Columbia to cruise on and the
local naval militia organization is sched-
uled to begin its cruise July and end 1t
July Is, inclusive, making ten days of
cruising. Just where the battalion will
be taken on the cruise has not been de-
termined. but it is said to be probable
that 1t will go to Bar Harbor and Port
land, Me. The District naval militia Will
have with it on the cruise this year the
Maryland organization from Baltimore,
which also went with it on the Alabama
last year. .,,.
The naval militia division is now en-
gagged in working out problem for the
naval militia, Involving exercises Of all
kinds that naval mflitiamen would be ex-
pected to be familiar with in time of
service, such as handling the big guns,
lhIulIS pol IACo, GU.
While the program has been mapped
out basing the cruising dates on the
movement of the cruiser Tennessee. this
program may be upset at any moment
by the movement of the reserve fleet, of
which the Tennessee is the flagship to
Mexican waters.
The cruises taken by the naval militia
are wholly for training purposes. and the
naval militia officers and men are given
complete charge Of the ship and are ex--
pected to run it.. with only a regular
officer in an advisory capacity. The
the bridge-in fact. all parts of the ship.
This is made plain In the circular sent
out by the militia division, which says:
TT is the intention of the department
structor to make the cruise with each
naval militia vessel on the Atlantic, .;uif
and Pacific coasts and great lakes This
officer will be on board in an advisory
capacity only. and the senior naval
militia officer on board will be in cnnn-