Evening star., 1922-10-01
NAVAL RESERW$TS
return FROM SEA !
Men Pleased With Success Of
Training Cruise in Eagle
Boat No. 56.
RECRUITS PROVE METTLE
Daily Drills and Liberal Shore
Leave Alike Enjoyed Through
Two.Week Voyage.
RECRUITS PROVE METTLE

. From one Of the most successful
training cruises since 1t has been IN
Washington, the U. 8. s. Eagle NO.
Sc, with, United States naval reserve
officers and men of the District OF
Columbia aboard, returned to her
berth at the foot of Water ana y
streets southwest, shortly after nopn
yesterday. The vessel was COM
manded on this voyage by Lieut..
Commander John Balch Blood.
The men all returned in good
health and reported that they had
Thoroughly enjoyed the sea voyage.
While they admitted there was
p.enty of work, ali said that capt.
Blood had been generous IN siElns
them shore liberty and many OF mem
saw with regret the end OF their
two weeks training.
recruits, many Of whom had never
been aboard a naval vessel before,
but Capt, Blood said today that they
all were a hish-class of young men.
and easily took hold OF the Navy
routine and ships work; They
learned seamanship. signaling. en-
gineering, ordnance and gunnery,
and what they liked most OF all, they
learned to talk salty" and took on
a heavy pitch and roll in their walk"
ing.
storm Cartails Voyage.
The Fifty-six left Washington Sep
tember 1e and proceeded to Maryland
point, where 1t anchored to give the
men an opportunity to shake down"
in their new positions. and then pro-
ceeded to the naval operating pase
at Hampton roads, where gun. BOAT
and signal drills were held daily: II
had been planned for the vessel 10
leave after two days OF drillns tneIe
and proceed to Boston. but a storm
on the coast kept her in port
She left Norfolk September 25 and
pfoceeded to Lynnhaven roads TOT
'.swinging ship" to adjust compass
magnets and determine the compass
evening, Capt. Blood decided to put to
sea Immediately. The wind from the
storm had died down. but a heavy sea
was running, and the new sailors
were given a good pitch and roll.
However, most OF them stood up We'll
and not many missed their meals;
The vessel arrived at New York
Sunday afternoon and docked at the
foot Of s6th street The men were
Immediately given shore liberty.
Every morning and afternoon, while
she was tied up. was taken up In
drills, ana eACU uiSHl puit VI eho
complement was given shore liberty.
The local sailors were given an OPP
portunity to show their preparedness
while there. for the second night
fire broke out on the opposite dock
and a fire and rescue" party was
landed from the Eagle and assisted In
putting out the flames.
Entertained by Marines.
After three days in New York the
vessel put to sea last Wednesday
morning and passed through the
Chesapeake capes early Thursday
morning, anchoring off Biakistoues
Island for drills in. small boats ."-.'
Friday afternoon the vessel pro-
ceeded to Qua1tico. where the officers
and men We're the guests of the
marines at a dance Early yesterday
the lines were cast off and the last
leg of the journey was completed.
Commander John A. Schofield, COM
manding the local battalion of..re-.
serves. was on the dock when the
vessel came in and inspected the ship
and crew. He complimented Capt.
Blood In the highest terms on the
successful cruise and on the cleanli-
ness OF ship and crew. Capt Blood
praised Lieut.. James. chief engineer.
and the men under him for keeping
the machinery in excellent condition
and making port without any need
for repairs.