Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-06-28
AAA@i1d}@6a
g.

the battleship Rhode Island for it's an
nual practice cruise, which this year will
take 1t to Bermuda Plans for the en-
barkation Of the local citizen jackies
practically have been completed, and only
few more details remain to be ar
ranged. These will be completed during
the week.
Those ARRANGEMENTS so far made pro-
vide that the jackies under the command
of Commander Joseph A. Dempf will
leave for Old Point Comfort next Sunday
evening on the Norfolk and Washington
boat. They will disembark at Old Point,
red in small boats to the Rhode Island,
which will be waiting in Hampton roads.
Lieut.. John L. Johns, paymaster of the
battalion, has made all ARRANGEMENTS
for the transportation of the local sailor
men. and every two men will have a
stateroom on the boat to Old Point, so
they may get good nights rest and be
able to take their stations aboard the
hnode Island Just as soon as they arrive.
when the local naval mflitiamen are
aboard the Rhode Island and the contin-
gent from North Carolina has embarked
the Rhode Island. will weigh anchor and
proceed to sea en- route to Lewes Del,
where the naval militia of PHILADELPHIA
and the I'd Battalion of naval militia of
New Jersey. stationed at Camden, will
eHDark. here also the regular crew
will be reduced and the Rhode Island will
put about and point her PROV toward
bermuda, the run to which will require
approximately two days steaming At
bermuda the men will lbe given two days'
shore liberty to see the sights. and then
the Rhode Island will start for Taneier
sound. in the lower Chesapeake b,y
where the annual target practice will he
held
In their efforts to win the trophy for
gunnery in the naval militia the eight
gun crews of the local naval militia have
been practicing continuously with the
three-inch gun mounted in their drill
Last Thursday night when some of the
men were busy completing their uniform
equipment and fixing up their hanmocks
others were at the hig gun taking sight
ing shots in the drill hall. Others were
trained In loading the gun. and the i'm
ing. was impressed upon them The in
struction was under the direction Of
Ensign William R. Hoefer. acting
ordnance officer of the battalion, who
was assisted by j. Edward Jackson, who
enlisted last Thursday night, and who
enjoys the distinction Of having been the
sailor who fired the last shot during the
Spanish-American war. As soon as he
was enlisted. Jackson was Immediately
given the rating of chief gunner's mate
jackson was aboard the Puritan at
MatanZas.. Cuba, during the lombard
nnent of the Notifications there. He was
in the forward twelve-inoh turret. was
then gunner's mate. first class and act
ing as the gun pointer. Practically all
of the shore batteries had been silenced
he had 1oI .s(saaaa 6vJn
but the, men in the turrets with all
matches battened down had failed to
hear The officer in the turret told
jackson to give them another one" The
DANCE had been given as 1000 yards, but
upon his own initiative Jackson raised 1t
500 yards, and made hit that tore the
breastWorks down completely. The cap
tain of the ship demanded an -explana-
ton, and the men explained why the
firing had not ceased following the bugle'
call. Jackson. following his explanation.
was commended for his firing. and was
recommended for promotion to the war
rant position of gunner. He left the
service. however. before he received it.
While / am in the battalion said
jackson, Thursday night, 81 am going to
do everything in my power to make it
one of the best shooting organizations in
the naval militia. / have. quite a record
for gun pointing myself, and am going
to impart it to the points here so Tar as
l am able
* x.*
Next Sunday the, naval militia will be
required to report at the armory at
O clock in the morning to complete prep
arations for the cruise. The day Will be
spent in seeing that all equipment is
and those men who furnish
and show division officers that they are
ready to leave at the sound of the bugle
probably will be given liberty until about
s o'clock in the evening. when they will
begfn. to assemble to prepare for the
march. to the. ship. :. y =. -