Omaha daily bee., 1916-07-23
CITIZEN CRUISE
PROVES POPULAR
Full Quota of Civilian Sailors
Will Take Cruise on Battle
ship Cruisers in August.
LEARN ALL TRICKS OF SEA

LEARN ALL TRICKS OF SEA
Washington, July 22.-Enrollment
OF civilians for the forthcoming cruise
on United States warships is proceed
ing with indications that the expert
ment 10 popular, and there is no doubt
that the full quota Of 1000 citizen sail
ors, ranging all the way from 10 to As
years of age, will be ready to carry
their dunnage bags aboard the prac-
tice fleet on August IS. The men will
board the ships at the ports nearest
their home, and in the months dura-
tion of the cruise will be given expert
ence In almost every form of naval
life from swabbing decks to firing big
guns. The enrolment thus far shows
men of all trades and professions,
many prominent and wealthy, who
are enthusiastic over this new plan of
naval preparedness. Assistant Secre-
tary Roosevelt of the Navy depart
ment expects to spend at least some
of the month as one of the citizen
bluejackets.
Rear Admiral J. M. Helm, who is
at present in charge Of the naval mill
tia cruise, will be commander-in- chief
of the civilian cruise also, and will use
the same warships. The vessels and
the ports from which they will sail
are: The Virginia, from Portland,
Me; the Kearsarge, from Boston,
Mass; the Illinois, from Newport, R.
l.; the Kentucky and Maine, from
New York City; the Rhode Island and
Alabama, from Philadelphia; the
Louisiana, from Norfolk, Va, and the
New Jersey, from Charleston, 5. L.
Hold Target Practice.
The cruise will end September II
and during its last week will be held
a mobilization and training cruise of
yachts and motorboats. From August
Is until August 20 the citizen sailors
will be proceeding to the training
rendezvous at Tangier Sound, in
Chesapeake bay, the gunnery practice
ground Of the Atlantic fleet. Target
practice will be held by the training
fleet from August u to September 5.
The object of the cruise is officially
described by Secretary Daniels as fol-
lows:
"For training volunteers to afford
to civilians an opportunity to gain, by
close contact with naval life and naval
duties, some experience and UNDER
standing which will help them to per-
ceive the way they may best tit them
selves for service in the navy in time
Of need"
Will Be Given Ratings.
At the end of the cruise each volun-
teer will be given a certificate by Rear
Admiral Helm specifying the duties
he performed, efficiency displayed and
the naval rating he is best qualified to
fill. Volunteers also will announce
their intention whether they will vol
unteer for naval service in case of war
within the next four years. -
Each volunteer is depositing but $50
for the privilege Of the months cruise,
the navy supplying uniforms and other
naval clothing. The volunteers will
be given substantially the same train
ing as midshipmen from the naval
academy during their training periods.
They will sleep in hammocks; canvas
bags will be their substitutes for the
chiffoniers at home; they will help
clean ship, polish brasswork, assist in
the engine room and generally go
through the rigorous duties OF any
Jack Tar. -,
Mixed with the work, however, will
be much recreation and instruction,
When conditions permit, the men will
be allowed to 60 swimming twice
daily. and hold rowing and sailing
races, and inter-ship base ball games.
Lectures and private instructions will
be given daily by navy officers, in
addition to the practical experience
afforded. =
No Coal Passing.
The volunteers are to be organized.
messed and berthed separate from
the regulars s-aboard ship and will not
be required to pass coal, work in the
mess room, stoke boilers or do ex-
tremely laborious work which might,
too severely strain men of sedentary
life, although all will be required to
pass physical examination before em-
barking.
From daybreak until 9 a. M, reg
ular program of duties awaits the
civilians, with almost every minute
filled. Before breakfast two and a
half hours work will be the daily pro-
gram of the citizen sailors. During
the cruise they will be drilled and in
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