Evening star., 1914-05-10

A LTHOCGH it is believed to be
~ unlikely that the L. S S. Wasp.
"A now at New York, will be in
4 Washington as the practice yes
sci Of the Naval Battalion of
the National Guard for the District of
Columbia for some time. it is certain,
however. that the organization will not
be left without d, vessel. The Sylvia. liz
stead OF returning to Pennsylvania as
the practice vessel of the naval militia
organization at Philadelphia, will remain
in Washington until the arrival of the
Wasp.
The plans of Commander Dempf to
send detachment from the battalion
to New York to bring the Wasp around
to this city were upset when word was
received Thursday that the L. $. gunboat
lsla de I-uzon. which was to relieve the
Wasp at New York, had been ordered
placed in full commission for duty in
Mexican waters. In view of this stua-
ton. the department did not feel that
New York should be called upon to re-
lease the Wasp. However, there was
a movement to transfer the Sylvia to
Pennsylvania.
just as soon the word was received
by telephone from the Navy Department
that the Wasp could not come to Wash
inston and that the Sylvia was to he re-
turned to Pennsylvania. Commander
Dempf Immediately made an appoint
ment to see Assistant Secretary Roose-
vet on Friday. With his aid-de-camp.
Lieut. Frank W. Sigourney Commander
Dempf went to the department and
pointed out the hardship that would be
worked upon the local organization by
Withdrawing the vessel. MIR. Roosevelt
| agreed with him and Immediately sent
fairs saying that the local naval militia
must not be left without a ship.
Since he has been in Washington. As
sistant Secretary Roosevelt has taken
that part of the naval service coming
directly under his supervision. He has
visited the local battalion and has en-
couraged it in every way. Since he has
the local naval militia In every way pos
sible in its attempts to build up the
organization
Although there is much disappointment
among the local naval militiamen be-
cause of the fact that the Wasp will not
be here. nevertheless they are happy to
know that they will not be left without
any vessel. Since the Sylvia has been
here. they have made every use out of
her that it was possible to get, and
tice cruises down the Potomac.
The decision to place the Isla de Luzon
into active service was rather sudden, as
only Wednesday Commander Dempf re-
ceived letter from the Navy Depart
ment saving that the Wasp was at the
New York navy yard being prepared for
| her trip to Washington.
| Assistant Secretary Roosevelt explained
to Commander Dempf that the assignment
| of the ISla de Luzon to active duty was
rnnl0
at this time Just when that vessel would
| be sent to New York for the use of the
naval militia there. with the consequent
release of the Wasp for naval militia
duty at Washington.
i Every opportunity is seized upon by
Commander Denpf to take the Sylvia out
Oh practice cruises. and always there are
more men to volunteer to make the trips
than the little vessel can hold. Owing
to the fact that the vessel is small it
/ is impossible to take out the entire bat
! TALON every Sunday.
| Last Sunday the vessel left her dock
promptly at 10 o'clock and steamed as
far Marshall Hail. where the men were
drilled in making landing parties such
| as would be required in actual service
! in time of war. On the voyage down
/ the river and on the return trip those
who We're hot engaged in operating the
| ship were put through all manners of
drills familiar TO sailoNnen. There was
collision drill nre drill, abandon Ship
clear ship for action. etc.
| Plans have been made for voyage
down the river today. the vessel to go
| to point just below Indian Head
where those aboard will be put through
| the usual drills in connection with landing
| a force to attack a place on land. Com
vessel to leave her dock promptly at 10
| o'clock and to return at about I or S
o clock in the evening.
| x 3 ::
| Facilities are now at hand at the local
naval militia armory to train gun point
ers for the big guns of the battleships.
| so that when the battalion participates III
target practice while on its annual cruise
this year on the armored cruiser Ten
nessee it will be able to make even
better showing than last year.
During the week there was received at
| the armory from the Washington navy
yard a 3-inch gun, with "dotting at
| tachment," which enables the gunners
to ascertain whether their aim is true.
| The gun came in nearly hundred parts
and the members of the battalion under
| the direction Of Ensign William r. Hoe
| fer ordnance officer, put 1t together and
! set it up in the drill hall of the armory.
| Ensign Hoefer said that the training
of the gun crews will begin Immediately.
He declared that there was little time
| between now and the time for the an
| nual cruise, and that it would be neces-
| sary to rush little in order to give
curate in their firing Of the big guns. He
expressed the belief that with the aid of
the new equipment the local naval
militia could soon boast Of a number of
| excellent gun pointers.
] * x i
! The newly organized Sd Division is
| no longer the training division. nor are
| the men to be considered recruits This
| division was organized little more than
| a month ago to train the recruits of
the battalion before they take up their
| work in other branches, but SO enthusiast
| tic have they become and have worked
| together so well that last Thursday
night Lieut. Sigourney. commanding the
division, explained to his men that they
| were no longer to be considered as re-
cruits. He declared that from now on
only such men will be taken in the Sd
| Division as express desire to be there,
and If recruits wish to so to the other
divisions they will he sent there i'm
| mediately.
The Sd Division is of the most
enthusiastic in the battalion. The men
are working together in a friendly spirit
| to outrival any of the other three di-
visions of the battalion. They are max
ling every effort to bring the division up
to the number OF sixty. and the way
| recruits are now coming in it is believed
h&L, thn v;v III. he n ~, 1nn o