El Nuevo mexicano., 1916-06-22
Training Civilians
For Naval Warfare
(Fr0m the July Popular Mechanics
Mapazinal

MaBazlnel
In order to lay the foundation for the
naval reserve of 100000 men, which milf
tary experts assert is essential to the
Ipfobcr defense OF the nation in the future,
The Navy Department. VIII undertake dur
ling the months of Atgai6t and aeptembef,
for a period of four weeks, q training cruise
designed to instruct some 1000 civilians,
Of all classes Of life, I'M the duties OF The
modern fnah-o-Wafss man.
The eight battfeships carrying the civil.
ian sailors will leave from six ports along
the Atlahtic coast-~two ships from Boston,
one from N~Arragansett Bay, two from New
York, one from Philadelphia, one from
either Charleston or New Orieans-0n Aug
ust is. From that date until September IL.
the civilians on board viii be given daily
drill in the duties which would be expected
lof them in war time.
For two weeks they VIII be Instructed in
the rudifnents Of s~eamanship, under officers
Experienced in the handling OF recruits and
III company with trained sailors who are
c0nyersant with naval life. At the end on
this fortnight Of preliminary training, the
squadron will proceed to Newport 20 take
part III the annual war game" In which
the entire Atlantic feet VIII participate.
This win give the men a taste Of actual
lighting conditions, without the danger Of
the combat. and will train them for the
duties which they will be expected to per-
form under fire.
The war game. which will be held on a
greater scale this year than ever before,
will consume the third week Of the cruise
and 1t the end Of this time the training
ships win return to their home ports, where
|the men will work out problems Of local
defense with the aid of the coast artillery
and the various m0t0rboat organizations
which the navy ia recruiting.
This Anal week Of the cruise is c0nsid.
cred by naval experts as The most import.
ant OF the entire four, inasniuch as 1t Will
round OF the rough edges Of the recruits
and give them actual practice in the To-
|calties to which they would be assigned in
time of war. For example, the vessel which
starts from Norfolk will. at the conclusion
OF the war game, be stationed at Hampton
Roads and tile civilian sailors will obtain
ffst.hand experience in the handling OF
the smaller units of the second line of
d~efense-the mine sweepers, dispatch boats,
submarine chaSefs, etc, which are so essen
tial to the proper defense Of the coast line.
In this tanner, the navy hopes to create
the basis of q reserve which not only is con
yefsafft with its duties, but is also familiar
with the territory along which IL will be
expected to work. The department has
the services of a large Number OF
privately owned m~0tefboats, and other
small vessels, which will work with the
training squadron during the second week
Of September.
In order to take the cruise, a man must
be between the ages of 19 and 45; must
al prescribed physical examination;
be a graduate or undergraduate of a
university, technical or high school,
In lieu of this, must demonstrate to the
Of the recruiting officer suffi-
knowledge Of maritime matters or
experience with water craft to warrant en-
Eistment."
Ample opportunities will be provided in
he course OF the days routine for s~peeiali-
in different branches OF naval work,
In addition to instruction in signaling, navi-
cation, radio work, steam and electrical en-
sineefing, there will be boat drills, gun
lriils, torpedo practice. military formations,
md the manual Of arms.