New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-01
YachtsnenSet
Good Example
Of Patriotism
Yet Myriad Craft Can Avail
Little Until Properly
Manned
BY CAPTAIN JAMES {. SUMMERS

ny al lhif JNhES I. ~ hDEhN
u7on me crest OF the great wave OF
patriotism now sweeping across this
country. the yachtsmen SIRE found re-
spending MOLLY 20 the navys earnest
call FOR officers and men to man the
great feet OF steam and power boats
built, and building Tor ;he protection
from the menace OF The submarine
Of the many cities that punctuate our
long coast line.
Scores Of steam yachts have been Of.
fered Dy their owners 10 tho govern
ment including the 262-ioot Noma.
owned bv Vincent Aston. who 9 an off,
Ger IN tho Naval Militia. Commodore
George +. Baker. ir. OF the New York
Yacht Club. recently bought the 243-
foot steam yacht Wacouta. and he has
turned her over 20 the government 10
use as u secs IT, Inc owners OF
many moro large yachts have followed
this example feeling sure that every
vessel possessing speed and seagoing
qualities win be needed. But the need
OF men Is still more urgent AZ this time
Eastern Nachtsmen Patriotic
Under thc stimulus % imminent war
enrolling In Glass Of the Naval Coast
Defence Reserve has boon going on at
a rapid pace in New York. Philadelphia,
Boston and other seapor- cities. Those
who have had practical experience in
handling and navigating motor boats
are eligible for this class. provided, OF
course. that they can pass the physical
examination All applicants are re-
quirod 10 furnish evidence As 20 their
ability. character and citizenship. and
they should have such experience and
qualifications as will enable them TO
perform useful service in or with the
navy. So imperative. however. is the
need Of men TO man and command the
motor craft that are being built or
Communicated by the navy that strict
attention is being paid only TO the quail
f.cations pertaining 10 the physical
condition Of the applicant. In other
words, if man has become efficient
in the handling and plotting Of motor
boat he stands a good chance Of taking
equal rank and receiving equal pay with
men who have gone through long
course at the Naval Academy
Service IN the reserve in time OF
peace entails none Of the duties which
are required Of the National Guards
men or Naval Milltiamen. and Judging
from the general regulations governing
this body 10 would appear that the
naval authorities had made a special
effort to make membership in il de-
slrable for the busy. responsible and
patriotic men of our nation. A man is
enrolled for four years. and during that
time he may, Z he likes. put in three
months active service. either in periods
Of two weeks or IN one three months
session.
Can Find Use for All
Yachtsmen and others who are en-
rolling daily as rule ask for duty In
he waters with which they are most
familiar, rs il - there that they will
be Of the greatest value 20 the navy.
New York men ask for duty in the Sd
Naval District. which embraces the
waters between Barnegat, \. J., and
New London. Conn, including the
south shore o. Long Island Their
duties in these waters Will include
those OF harbor patrol. mine field
patrol coast patrol, laying mines,
sweeping for enemy mines. operations
against the enemy submarines, cooper
alton with our submarines and aircraft,
co0Deration with land forces and dis
patch service. The opportunities pre-
sented for distinguished service in any
Of these duties are apparent, so that
recognition by the government is sure
20 bring its reward.
Step in Right Direction
The Seawanhaka COrlnthian Yacht
Clubs navigation course. which has
& been held all through this month. and
viii continue through part Of April. IS
a distinct step in the right direction for
the preparing Of its members for active
4 duty in the Naval Reserve. The course
includes Il series of lectures on the es-
sentia points Of navigation. The stu
dents include such well known yachts
men as Commodore Howard c. Smith,
former Commodore Robert T.. Tod.
Lieutenant Stuyvesant Wainwright,
Gherardi Davis. Robert Roosevelt. AL
fred b. Whitney. jr.. Charles $. Butler,
Johnston de Forest. Everett Dominick,
Albert Strauss, Edwin Gould and
Henry r. Hayes. The next meetings
arc on April , and q.