The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-24
DRILLING SAILORS WHO
NEVER SAW OCEAN


Great Lakes. Ill, June 23.-Thou-
sands OF men from the inland states,
many OF whom never have seen the
pecan, are being made into first
Ciass man ar's-men at the United
states Naval Training station here
and shortly will take their places in
the nations flrst-line of defense.
With barrack room for but 100
men when President Wilson pro-
the station Is now caring for about
$500. The station has grown like a
Doom mining town. The original red
sandstone buildings on the wooded
oluns overlooking Lake Michigan are
almost lost in the maze of white
tents surrounding them on every side
In which the overflow of men from
the barracks is quartered.
Organized upon the unit basis Of a
modern city the station has its public
works departments. its streets tie
sewage. water and electric light sys-
TENS. Each department of a munic-
tpality has it's complement in the or
ganization of Captain w. A. Moffett,
commandant
The men In training here, coming
from the Ninth, Tenth and Eleventh
Naval districts. comprising the sta ges
between Louisiana and North Dakota.
" |ssCiH view Oh toloTduO. ioi
Inc most party, are young, active AMI
vigorous. and represent almost every
walk OF civil life
Asatnst- background Of leaff
bluffs. which sweep ma jestically down
TO Lake Michigan, hundreds of trim
young fellows in white or in blue
may be seen learning the rudiments
OF drill. Little. round, white hats are
1ammed down on heads, cheeks glow
N En- ttE i
belt as they march bask and forth
in squads, companies aud regiments
In the land formations. The air is
nlled with hoarse commands. and the
ceaseless pounding Of heavily shod
feet on the turf. Help by the hlare
ct numerous bands the thrill of war
preparation which sets patriotic pulses
beating seem everywhere.
Recruits are given a thorough
schooling IN land formations, which
are similar TO the infantry drill of
the United States army. The training
Is supplemented by boat driit in tine
station harbor on Lake Michigan,
Large tracts adjoining the station
have been leased by Captain Moffett
and are being used as auxiliary camp
-sites- Qn-nne Of these. known as
Camp Paul Jones. the naval militia OF
Michigan and Missouri is encamped.
From the minute he slips into a
hluejacket athletics play large part
In the life OF the future sailor. d.
rected by regularly established
athletic department, baseball games,
basketball contests. swimming
matches. boxing and wrestling con-
tests and almost every other branch
Of sport have their places In the life
of the station. Some Of the athletes
show ability that would make name
In intercollegiate matches.
And there are the bowling alleys.
the billiard rooms, the Y. VI. c. A. rne
gymnasium and numbers OF other in
terests TO occupy the recruit during
bis leisure hours
But despite the recreational facil-
ties of the station. the interest of the
men seems to center IN their work.
Aach man seems 10 be obsessed with
the Idea that he. personally, shall
make good; that his camp record be
good enough to attract the attention
OF his commanding of3cer. Some way
the officers have a trick Of infusing
that spirit into man--or perhaps II
ts arousing the spirit
When we go to sea- has almost
become catch phrase about the sta
ton, and the general feeling seems*to
he that when we go to sea we are
going 70 show that the Middle West
erner can do his part in the work OF
the nations rrst-llne Of defense