Evening star., 1932-12-18
D. c.. Naval Reserve

During the greater part OF the month
Of February, the lst Battalion, United
States Naval Reserves of the District
of Columbia, will have a destroyer
here for training purposes. And when
she completes her tour of duty here,
the vessel will 60 on a cruise along the
Atlantic Coast, taking members OF the
local reserve who desire to make such
a cruise.
The vessel assigned to come here
about February 10 as the destroyer
Goff. which was the vessel assigned to
carry Washington newspapermen out
from Norfolk to meet the cruiser which
was returning Col Charles A. Lindbergh
to the United States after his flight to
Paris. The Golf is a part of Destroyer
Squadron 10. of the Atlantic scouting
feet, the squadron being commanded
by Capt. r. A. White, who. for several
years, was member of the Naval Re-
serve Inspection Board.
The Golf is scheduled to remain at
the Washington Navy Yard until Feb
ruary %, when she will leave for a
cruise until March 20. which will take
her to Miami, Jacksonville. Charleston
and Georgetown, S. c., and Norfolk.
Up to 90 men from this area will be
authorized to take this cruise if they
apply The service will be without pay.
but the enlisted men will be furnished
their meals. The numbers who go must
be divided equally between deck and
engineering forces, and 25 per cent
must be petty officers. No definite in
formation has been received as to
whether officers will be permitted to
make this cruise. However, the number
would be small, as destroyers do not
carry many officers. Officers must pay
their mess bills.
1t also was pointed out that no en-
listed men in the radio, yeoman, store
keeper or pharmacist ratings will be
allowed to take advantage OF this
cruise. 1t was said that it will be an
excellent opportunity for members OF
the reserve to obtain some valuable
training aboard a ship of the active
fleet, and especially in view Of the fact
that the annual cruises were not held
this year owing to the necessity of cut
ting governmental expenses.
When the vessel arrives here it will
be the first opportunity that the local
reservists will have had to drill aboard
a ship since the departure of the de-
stroyer Hamilton of the Atlantic Train
ing Squadron for the West Coast If
the weather permits, it is expected that
the local reServiStS will take full ad-
vantage of the stay of the ship here 1t
will give the officers and men full op-
portunity to refresh themselves on
drills aboard a ship. and aid them ma
terially in getting ready for the an
nual destroyer cruises which are ex-
pected to be held next Summer.
The new boat which is being fitted
out for the use of the local naval re-
servists at the Norfolk Navy Yard will
be completed in March, it was learned
last week and is expected to arrive here
in plenty of time for the Spring and
Summer training. It will replace the 40
foot cabin launch which was sent here the
latter part of the Summer. and aboard
battalion have received considerable
training. There has been hardly
week during the time the vessel has
been here that group of officers and
men have not taken a tWo-day week
end voyage down the Potomac for
training purposes. While the boat Is
equipped with cabin, it was said that
1t has no facilities for heating and is
not satisfactory for Winter cruising.
The new boat, however, will be fitted
for all-weather work. 1t will have a
heating plant, as well as galley and
other facilities for the comfort of the
than tie present vessel
Tomorrow night will see the end of
the drill period for the current caIen-
dar yoar, 1t was announced at the local
reserve headquarters. Drills will be re-
sumed on January 9. at which time it
is expected that the examining board
will begin its duty of examining a score
or more enlisted men who have been
recommended by their division officers
for advancement to the next higher
rating.
The examinations will have to be
and only few men can be examined
each drill night, as. owing to the va
Yiety of ratings, it is necessary to have
each man appear Individually and be
examined for duty "a his special group.
5ses will be resumed and the drills
generally will be arranged to make prep
arations for the annual cruises, which.
II Congress appropriate5 the necessary
funds will be held during the coming
Summer months.
Edwin L. Fenton. fireman. third
class, 1st Division. has been discharged
at his own request in order to enlist in
the Regular Navy.
A new radio transmitter Of modern
design and efficiency has been assigned
to the Naval Communication Reserve
Of the District of Columbia. This
equipment, it was pointed out by Lieut..
@. 4. Briggs, commander OF the local
organization, places In the hands Of