Evening star., 1933-06-25

not had any ship training for two
years. 1t was pointed out by those in
a position to know that this has Sc
riously affected the training. particu-
larly the target practice. Although ar
rangementS we're made to keep the gun
crew in practice With the drill gun
at the arnory, il was pointed out that
this is not as effective as having the
men fire the big guns aboard the de-
stroyer The gun crews will be given
intensive training during the next sew
eral weeks in an effort to have them
give a good account of themselves
when they are out on the Atlantic en-
gaging in their regular target practice.
Since the last cruises the local bat
talon has been entirely reorganized
and when the outfits go out this year
they will have new commanding Off
GERS However. the organization Of the
enlisted personnel has remained almost
intact Aside from the sea cruises
which are to come during the next
Two months. number of the officers
were being given training with pay this
month by being called to active duty
to perform various activities in the
Washington Navy Yard and at the Re-
serve armory.
The original orders for the cruises
issued early in the Spring. and before
the suspension order was received, con-
templated that the cruises would begin
on June Is. However 1t was pointed
out that the entire schedule will have
to be revised, and new dates fixed.
The funds for the heating and main
tenance of the armory at the Wash
ington Navy Yard, it was said, have
been reduced about 20 per cent for
next year as compared with the cur
rent fiscal year. However. it was indi-
Gated that every effort will be made tc
maintain the armory cfficient'y on his
fund. the principal cost being for heat
The fund for fuel Tor the training
launch has also been cut. and it was
said to be probable that there will rot
be any money for fuel for the next
fiscal year. and that the officers anc
men will have to stand the expense il
they want to take the vessel out or
week end training cruises.
1t has been definitely determined
that no allowance will be made by the
Government for subsistence of boat
crews while out on week end training
trips. While the officers and men
never received any pay for these week
end training cruises, the Government,
has in the past paid the cost of sub
sistence during the periods that the
ships we're on training duty.
Lieut.. c. A. Briggs, commanding the
local Naval Communication Reserve
has announced that the national drillI
have been completed. In regard to the
national drills. he said. memorandum
has been received in which it was
noted that NED, the local Reserve sta
ton, has been given third place in the
national competition this year. How
ever, he says that this may not be
final. Further information is being
awaited.
Lieut. Briggs, in a communication tc
members of his command, urges that
more of them take the week enc
cruises. He says that the boat has
been equipped with midget radio re-
ceiver which is mounted in the crews
quarters. While he adds that it can
not be operated while the vessel is
under way, due to motor noise which
cannot be eliminated, it operates sat
isfactorily while at anchor. The boat
leaves on its training cruises at
O'Clock on Saturday afternoon and re-
turns at o'clock Sunday night.
During these trips the boat cruises
down the Potomac. and the members
of the seaman branch are taught
steering, plotting and given other train
ing to improve their knowledge OF
naval work. Usually landings are made
at various river points to allow the
members of the crew time for recrea-
ton ashore.