Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1916-07-21
TWO THOUSAND CITIZEN SAILORS
70 RECEIVE MONTHS
INSTRUCTION.
MEN OF ALL TRADES
AND PROFESSIONS ENTER
Nine War Vessels to Be Used as
Training ships-Tansier Sound, in
Chesapeake Bay, to Be Training
Rendezvous-DriII in Gunnery, Sig
mailing, Torpedo Defense, Etc.

Washington, July 21.-Enrollment Of
United States warships is proceeding
with indications that the experiment is
popular and there is no doubt that the
full quota of 1000 citizen sailors, rang
ing all the way from 10 to As years OF
age, will be ready to carry their dun
mage bags aboard the practice fee3 on
Aug. Is. The men will board the ships
at the ports nearest their home, and in
the months duration of the cruise will
be given experience in almost every
form of naval life from swabbing decks
to firing big guns. The enrolment thus
far shows men of all trades and pro-
fessions. many prominent and wealthy,
who are enthusiastic over this new plan
of naval preparedness. Assistant Sec
rotary Roosevelt, Of the navy depart
ment, expects to spend at least some
Of the month as one of the citizen blue
jackets.
Rear Admiral ]. M. Helm, who is at
present in charge of the laval militia
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 Ken
lucky and Maine, from New York city;
the Rhode Island and Alabama. from
Philadelphia; the Louisiana, from Nor
folk, Va; and the New Jersey, from
Charleston, s. c.
Train citizenry- Naval Corps.
The cruise will end Sept. II and dur
ing its last week will be held a mobili-
cation and training cruise of yachts and
motor boats. From Aug. is until Aug.
20 the citizen sailors will be proceeding
to the training rendezvous at Tangicf
Sound in Chesapeake Bay, the gunnery
practice ground Of the Atlantic fleet
Target practice will be held by the
training fleet from Aug. p to- Sept. ..
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 fit them
selves for service in the navy in time
of need"
Months Cruise For $50.
At the end of the cruise each volun-
teer will be given 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 the in
tention whether they will volunteer 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 the uniforms and
other naval clothing. The volunteers
will be given substantially the same
training 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 brass work, assist in the
engine room and generally go thru the
rigorous duties of any Jack Tar.
Recreation As Well As Work.
Mixed with the work, however. will
be much recreation and instruction.
When conditions permit, the men will
be allowed to go swimming twice daily,
and hold rowing and sailing races, and
inter ship baseball games. Lectures
and private instruction will be given by
naval officers. in addition tn the nracti-
cal experience afforded.
The yn1npfaerS are IN he Orp3niZad
messed and berthed separate from the
regulars aboard ship and will not be
required to pass coal, work in the mess
room, stoke boilers or do extremely la
borious work which might too severe
ly strain men of sedentary life, altho
all will be required to pass physical ex-
animation before embarking.
Program of Daily Duties.
From daybreak until 8 p. m. a regu-
lar program of duties awaits the civil
ians, with almost every minute filed.
Before breakfast two and half hours
work will be the daily program Of the
citizen sailors. During the cruise they
will be drilled and instructed in the
three and five-inch guns of the ships.
in signalling, boating of all kinds. fire
control, torpedo defense. quartermas-
ter's duties, marine and electrical ma :
chinery, including radio work. Elmer
gency drills, such as fire quarters, col
lision, man overheard" and general
quarters are also scheduled. The vol
unteers assigned to engineering duty
will work in two-hour shifts from 8 a.
m. to p. m. All volunteers will be re-
lieved from assignments to attend all
ldrills and lectures.
Three divisions of the civilians will
be formed, with subdivisions under
navy and volunteer officers. During
the last week Of the cruise all volun-
teers will have deck duties exclusive
| ly. Every volunteer will drill as a
member Of a guns crew and all will
participate in some capacity in the tar
get practice.
The mobility of the practice fleet may
be somewhat limited while in Tangiel
Sound, as only their reserve crews will
be aboard and their maneuvers will be
confined to their reduced capacity.
! Smaller Craft to Cooperate.
| From Sept. to IL, the feet will be
proceeding to and at ports of embarka.
/ ton, participating in exercises with the
modified yachts and motor boats ir
problems Of defense Of naval districts.
| In cooperation with the cruising
feet, several hundred yachts and mo.
tor boats will hold maneuvers at Nor
lfolk, New York. Philadelphia, Newport
Boston and Portland. Me. They viii
latter organizing be given instruction
in scouting, patrolling, signalling. ma
lneuyering by signals. plotting ant