Evening star., 1924-08-10
NAVY.


BY June. 1925, the first official his
tory OF the United States Marine
Corps will be completed. For the mast
three years Maj. Edwin N. McCIeIland.
united States Marine Corps, has been
compiling an Official history of the
corps, under the direction of the his
torical section OF Marine Corns head
quarters. Though the works will be
omcial, 1t Is not believed that the
navy Department will publish the
oook' but Will turn the publication
work over to private concern. The
work will consist of two volumes Of
ABOUT 1000 pages each and will be
profusely illustrated.
AFTER thorough search of all avail
able records in the department, IL was
1ound that the first mention of record
OF the marines was in May, l775 and
1nese mes were Connecticut State marines.
The reference to the "originaI eight
marines was'the guard for the trans
portation of 500 English pounds from
Hartford to Ticonderoga.
IN the debates of the Continental
congress Iinas In October. ITS, the ma
fleet around Boston were mentioned.
which led to the authorization of two
battalions of Continental or Regular
Marines under resolution of Con-
gress dated November 10. 1775. From
these two battalions the corps has
developed to its present high state of
efficiency. The history will no doubt
describe in detail the various steps
which resulted in the friendly reIa-
tions which now exist between the
Navy and the corps.
Under date Of November 2s, 1775,
Capt. Samuel Nichols was the first
Marine Corps officer issued a commits
sion by the Colonial Government
This naturally raises the question as
to whether the first commission is
sued to the Navy WAS to a Marine
Corps officer. 1T is doubtful whether
there is any authentic record in the
department. files which records the
issuance OF commission by the Colo
nial Government to a Navy officer
with an earlier date. The Marine
Corps has in it's possession the
original commission issued to Capt.
Nichols and rotogravure copy of it
will be printed in the book.
The Aviation Mechanics School at
Great Lakes is now being used for
advanced instruction of rated men of
the aviation branch, and the Bureau
of Navigation is not authorizing the
transfer to the school of any nom
rated men or rated men of general
service ratings. The petty officer re-
are being met by training non-rated
men for advancement to lowest petty
officer ratings at all air stations and
in the aviation squadrons afloat.
All advancements in the aviation
branch are being made by promotion
through the lowest petty officer rat
ing of that brance, and no petty off,
GERS of general service ratings are
being transferred to aviation duties
or ratings except men now on the
aviation rating eligibility list. Nom
rated men who request aviation duty
will, when practicable, be ordered to
fill the non-rated biilets at air sta
tions and in the aviation squadrons
afoat.
The Pan-Pacific Food Conservati ton
Congress, meeting in Honolulu from
July 81 to August IA, is being attend
ed by Rear Admiral ]. D. Mcdonald,
who has been designated as a dele
gate from the Navy Department and
who will read a paper on the Hydro
graphic Office and its work.
Capt. F. B. Bassett and Lieut..
Comdr. G. Z. Brandt were elected
president and secretary general of the
was convened recently by the Secre-
tary of Navy. Representatives of all
the departments and scientific insti-
tutions of the Government and of the
Carnegie Institution of Washington
have undertaken a study of all mat
scientific research expedition. An ex-
ecutive committee has been elected
and will hold frequent meetings.
A study is being made by the COM
mander-in- chief of the United States
feet as to how the cost of the Navy
ration may be kept at monetary
limit that will enable the Bureau of
Supplies and Accounts to keep within
the appropriations. During last year,
the bureau furnished 9S.550,000 meals
to the enlisted men of the Navy AS
this subject is of great Importance,
the officers in the bureau are expect
ing some interesting results from this
study.
AS of July 80, the total enlisted
personnel of the Coast Guard was
6,O41, which is q net gain of 2.S30
was made on July %, which is the
greatest net increase since recruiting
began. Numerically, the Coast Guard
recruiting campaign has been most
satisfactory. In the future 1t is hop
ed by the authorities that there will
be an improvement in the age and
experience qualifications of the re-
cruits.
Some Coast Guard units still show
distinction between men in special
temporary enlistments and those serv-
ing in regular enlistments in the
columns of vacancy lists, or omit en-
tirely the ratings in excess of COM
be given on the vacancy list regard
less of the kind of enlistment in
which men are serving and whe ether
or not they are in excess of the au-
thoriZed complement.
Three of the Navy's fastest sea-
planes will represent the United
States in the international seaplane
contest for the Schneider cup, which
will be held at Sea Shore Park; oc-
represented by two planes and three
italian planes will be entered. A
number of Navy sub-chasers equip
ped with radio will be stationed at
the turning points in the race and
through the use Of loud speakers. at
the race, will keep every one inform
ed as to the actual progress of the
contest.
According to the condition of this
annual speed contest, 1t Is provideo
in five years will get permanent pos
session of the trophy. For this rea-
son, particular interest is being at
tached to the italian entries, Italy
Contest was won by England in 1922
and by the United States in 1928
Lieut.. F.. W. Wead, U. S. N, will be
in charge of the United States team.
The other members of the team are
Lieut.. David Rittenhouse, U. S. N, win
ner last year; Lieut.. A w. Gorton, y. >;
N, member of the 1928 team, ana
Lieuts. G. r. Cuddihy and Fl. A. Ofstle.
Seven laps around the thirty-one miie
triangular course will constitute the
race.
The Bureau of Navigation and the
Bureau Of Supplies and Accounts nave
prepared a Correspondence course
for oficers of the Supply Corps, U.
8. Naval Reserve Force. Lieut..
Comdr. L. w. Jennings Is. c. will re,
port shortly to the paymaster general
for duty as officer in charge OF the cor