Evening star., 1916-05-12

Commander Joseph A. Dempf, COM
manding the Naval Battalion of the
National Guard of the District of Co
lumbia, has applied for retirement. and
his application has been approved.
Brig. Cen William E. Harvey, COM
manding the District of Columbia mi
litia. has ordered reorganization of
the Naval Battalion under Lieut.. Com
mander r. B. Brummet, the next officer
in rank, with whom he is in conference
this afternoon.
Commander Dempf is now on leave
of absence until July Z. and his appli-
cation for retirement asks that 1t be-
come effective at the conclusion OF this
leave.
Report on Grounding of the Sylvia.
Gen. Harvey said today that he had
before him the report of the naval ex-
amining board which inquired into the
circumstances regarding the grounding
of the L. S. S. Sylvia. the naval militia
training ship, near Fort Foote. in the
Potomac river, in February. This re-
port states: THE board finds that the
responsibility for the grounding of the
Sylvia rests primarily and principally
upon the commanding officer, Com
mander Joseph A. Dempf. District or
Columbia naval militia, who improp-
erly hazarded his ship by continuing
under way in a blin9ing snowstorm
while in "A comparatively narrow chan
mel with a strong wind blowing aport
the channel.
Some of the other officers are now
taking examinations to test their abll-
ity to navigate. All the officers, it is
stated will have to take these examina-
tions Those who cannot navigate a
ship of this class Will be succeeded.
Cen Harvey said. by others who can.
There are many motor boat owners
and others interested in navigation who
will be welcomed into this reorganiZa-
ton, and we hope to bring the Naval
Battalion up TO the standard required
by the Navy Department
The name Of Roger Dean Van kIrk OF
Washington, who is q member of the
naval militia, has been sent to the
Navy Department for appointment as
ensign for aviation duty IT is expect
ed according to Gen harvey. 10
strengthen and develop all branches of
this service.
Commander Dempf's Long Service.
Commander Dempf has had long serv-
ice in the militia, having served in
both the land and naval forces. Before
entering the militia service he was
in the regular naval establishment He
enlisted in the naval militia Novem-
Der IA, 1899, and April ~ the follow
ing year he WAS commissioned an en-
sign, WAS promoted to lieutenant. junior
grade, September "a. 1900, and to lieu
tenant November ]. 1901, remaining in
that post until 1905, when internal
troubles of the organization caused it's
disbandment, January "a, 1905. Mr..
Dempf was given an honorable dis
charge.
A month later he was recommission-
ed lieutenant. then as a lieutenant
commander and executive officer, Octo-
ber /, 1912 He succeeded to the COM
mand of the battalion February IA,
1913, and remained actively at the head
without any leave until the present.
He was an ardent worker for the or
ganization and under his command the
battalion made much progress.
Gen. Harvey indicated that under the
reorganization only officers and men
who could pass the rigid examination
mapped out by the Navy Department
are wanted Unless the officers and
men pass the examinations, which must
be taken before February 16 of next
year the battalion cannot participate
in the federal distribution of funds.