Evening star., 1935-08-25

" town main street may be founc
a aboard the battleship Wyo-
- ming which is soon to take
the officers and men OF the First Bat.
talon, United States Naval Reserves
Of the District of Columbia, on theil
annual cruise next month. There arr
camera shops, chop houses and ever
soda fountains.
Lieut.. William Klaus, United State:
Navy, communications officer on the
Wyoming, has prepared q statement
telling about the ship, and which
should give the local Reservists, many
of whom are to take their first bat.
tleship cruise, just what to expect
during the IA days they will spend
aboard her.
1.-The Wyoming" Lieut.. Klaus writes
"is an ideal training ship, plenty OF
room, her crew being only 500; she
takes 500 more without crowding. Her
original complement was 1850. This
spaciousness allows for comfort in
studying from books and wider
scope for practical instruction is at
tained. The regular officers and crew
do their best to make all hands con-
tented and assist in instruction whole
heartedly.
Previous to the arrival of a con-
tingent of Reserves on board arrange
ments for their billeting and messing
are all made. There is no confusion
attendant upon arrival. A few hours
after the embarkation, you'd think the
Reserves had been on board at least
several days.
First, there is the tour Of inspec-
ton. OF course there is much in
terest shown by the young new corners
in the canteen where the sweets are
for sale-the ships service store where
they can get such things as souvenirs,
films, watches and such things as
make good presents for the fair sex.
The biggest thrill of the first tour of
inspection is the soda fountain.
Imagine. On battleship. regular sodas,
sandwiches, hot dogs. etc. all at very
low prices-then the Photographic
shop is discovered where one can have
his films developed.
THE contingent usually comes on
board in the morning and the ship is
OF at noon. Every minute of time
has to be utilized, as a tremendous
amount Of ground has to be covered
before the return to port. Gun crews
are organized and stationed. The
forenoons are usually taken up with
gun drills. Drill scores are kept, as
competition is keen. These are posted
and cause much speculation as to the
results of the actual firing. The aft
ernoons are usually taken up with
book work or practical instruction
about the ship. The officers attend
lectures such as strategy and tactics,
navigation. etc.
Saturday morning arrives and cap
tain's inspection is held. All hands
put on their best uniforms and each
division endeavors to make the smart
est appearance. This usually lasts
from $50 to 1870 O'Clock. Compli-
ments and words Of censure are
handed out by the skipper. The aft
ernoon Is given over to a holiday.
Then there are movies in the evening.
regular f1rst-class shows. talkies, may
be some are q year old, but If they
haven't been seen before, they are just
as good. On one night Of the cruise
a happy hour is held. This occasion
is looked forward to with much en-
thusiasm by the crew as well as mem
bers Of the Reserve units.
Preparations are made q day or
two in advance. Contestants are en-
tered for the various boxing and
wrestling matches. Other entertain
ment features augment the sports
events. When the anticipated eve
ming rolls around all hands may be
found in the highest of spirits on the
flag-draped and brilliantly lighted
quarterback. All available space is
utilized for seating. The turret tops
are the choice points of vantage. The
the ships band playing at full blast,
is deafening and is silenced only when
the master of ceremonies climbs into
the ring to announce the evenings
card. Good craftsmanship is never
lacking, even the loser in a contest is
given q cheer when it is obvious that
he did his best. At the finish of the
closing event all hands are served re-
freshments, ice cream, sandwiches,
topped of with cigarettes and cigars.
A happy hour aboard ship, new to
some of the Reserves, an event which
long remains a pleasant memory to all.
"The next day, back to the grind of
drills. Time is passing rapidly; there
is still lots to learn about the Navy
and the firing day is drawing near.
Then there is the liberty port of
the cruise. Last year one port was
Port-au-Prince and one was Panama.
Some of the younger boys had never
been that far away from home. The
day before the arrival in port the gun
drill scores show q slight drop. The
Reserve gun crew captains rave and
wonder what is the matter, but the
old-timers just smile.
Anchored In the liberty port. The
first liberty boat goes ashore. The
chaplain of the Wyoming has ar
ranged interesting sightseeing trips so
that the most territory is covered dur
ing the short two days in port. Sou
venirs are gotten and postcards mailed
to the folks at home. The stay in port
isn't all play, though. There are the
boat drills for those who remain on
board. A few learn the intricacies of
the sailboat and many how to pull an
oar. The officers bore sight the guns.
"The two days pass quickly enough
and back to the drilling for firing. The
liberty port is left and all hands get
down to real work, for the firing which
now Is the most important thing in
the world. All you hear at mess tables
is Ifs and buts-gun scores and hopes
for clear weather-bets are made.
"The morning of the firing dawns
clear and the sea smooth. The de-