The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-08-01
SKIRTS OF FLEET.
Young Women Perform Essential
Tasks.-Do Not Serve at Sea.

United States Naval Reserves. There
are now about 5000 women in this
branch of the service and the number
is increasing every day. These Wo-
men are not enlisted to climb ropes,
drill, or do any of the sailors Jobs.
In all proba bility, they will never
mount a ships deck in an official
capacity. They are enrolled as yeo-
men, and are employed, most Of them,
at the peaceful work of taking down
shorthand notes and making them
ineligible by way of typewriter.
Such duties do not appear thrilling
or even of great importance, but many
of these girls, who have demonstrate
ed ability to carry out orders quickly
and effectively, now handle confden-
tial correspondence and transact busi-
ness requiring high decree of ex-
ecutive ability. Some are holding
positions which heretofore have been
considered mems jobs exclusively.
Admiral MCGOWAN, chief of the
naval bureau and supplies and ac-
counts, declares that the women serv-
ing in his department are more salts
factory than men. "They are more
ambitious and capable and less dis
satisfied with conditions and pay"
says the admiral. ''They are my right
hand men, and my only trouble is in
getting enough of them
The navy objects to its enlisted
girls being called yeomanettes, yeo-
women or -yeogirls. They are en-
listed as yeomen, with the same rank,
pay and privileges as men and to do
the same work as men.
Therefore their official designation
is "yeomen," and any other title is
considered inappropriate.
Neat Uniform Worn.
From the day the yeoman rating
was opened to women, the subject of
uniform was discussed. Most OF
the girls were in favor of standard
lied dress. They were in the navy
and wanted the public to know it.
Then, too, uniform is solution Of
the clothes problem which so often
karasses the business woman, and
sometimes her employer. A solemn
study of types and styles by naval
officers, assisted by an advisory Colin
Gil of girls, resulted ia the official
decree of a navy blue or white nor
folk suit, regulation shirt waist, felt
or straw sailor hat, and black or
white shoes and stockings. For in
sigma, the words ''U. S. Naval Re-
serve Force on the hat Band and
the regular navy rating chevron on
the left sleeve of the blouse were au-
thorized. The uniform was designed
and described in detail, and took its
place in the fashion book of the navy
alongside of the latest thing in cos
tunes for naval aviators, seamen and
officers.
In time of war, soldier or sailor
is forbidden by law to appear in CIV
ilian dress. This ruling the navy has
not attempted to apply to it's enlisted
girls. The lady yeoman can doff her
neat blue norfolk suit and cotton
gloves in the evening and attend
dance in the flmiest of chiffons, if
she so desires, though many of the
girls prefer the distinctive dress. The
yeoman on enlisting receives $50 as
uniform allowance. This does not
fully equip her, but yeomeR now in
the service declare that it will supply
a recruit with fairly complete ward
robe if she patronizes the navy cloth.
ing depot in New York where the uni
forms are made by government con-
tract.
The yeoman recruit signs away her
business hours for four years in the
service of the navy, though in event
of peace she could secure release
from further active duty. She fills out
the same application papers as man,
stating among other things, whether
she has ever served in the army or
navy. In spite of consciousness of
her many positions the yeoman is not
mannish. She does not adopt mascu-
line stride, though her skirts are full
enough at the hem, as per uniform
specifications, to permit it. She smiles
occasionally at the sailor boy who
occupies the desk next her or hurries
past on a message, and after Of
fee hours she can be seen strolling
down Pennsylvania Avenue from the
navy department escorted by yeo-
man, who is man.
Among the well known girls who
have entered the naval service are