Evening star., 1943-06-06
BY Bainbridge Crist.

AS~AAASA ASA3S OAAoos
Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary
in Washington and throughout the Ma
ton are either preparing or actually
taking over duties in the temporary re-
serve to relieve regular Coast Guardsmen
in such jobs as patrolling beaches, rivers,
harbors docks and piers and shore sta
tionS
The concept of the auxiliary, Coast
Guard officials state, is changing from
the peacetime one of furthering safety
in boating and fostering wider knowl-
edge of navigation rules to the grimmer
wartime purpose of Facilitating opera
tions Of the Coast Guard" Lying behind
this transformation, which has now been
in progress for number Of months, is
the need for relieving regular personnel
for combat duty and the probability that
most of the boats of the auxiliary will be
laid up because of restrictions on gaso-
line and spare parts.
An estimated 10000 Of the 1000 men,
bers of the non military auxiliary are
serving without pay IL to "a hours or
more week in the temporary reserve,
which gives them military status while
en- duty. They are given uniform while
in the reserve and are subject to mill
tary discipline.
Special Training.
In Washington. Frank G. Campbell,
captain of the local auxiliary division,
who said he had roughly $50 members"
reported that men have been meeting
once week for studying first aid, sig
mailing, plotting, handling of ropes and
tying of knots and even jujitsu. Up to
the present time, it has not been neces-
sary for the auxiliarists here to take
over positions in the reserve.
Il believe Mr.. Campbell said, how
ever, that many members OF the auxili-
ary would be ready to take over watches
on existing patrol boats"
Under the present set up, the division
for this area has four hotillas. One of
them meets at the Corinthian Yacht
Club, two at the Capital Yacht Club and
one at the Eastern Power Boat Associa-
tion Patrol work for these auxiliarists
have been limited to races and they may
be used at the Water Gate concerts.
Applicants now have to be prepared to
pass an examination showing familiarity
with pilot rules, bouyage system, safety
regulations, handling of motor boats and
small yachts and the functions of the
auxiliary. Instructions, for the most
part, are given by auxiliarists them
selves, many of them having completed
various courses offered by the United
States Power Squadron.
Back to Prewar Days.
The auxiliary dates back to prewar
days In 1888 the reserve was the nom
military branch of the Coast Guard.
Then, in 1899, when the reserve was
militarized, the auxiliary became the
non-military unit of the service. The
British counterpart to the auxiliarists
are the boatsmen who aided in the his
toric evacuation at Dunkirk. Organized
by the Small Vessels Pool of the Depart
ment of Admiralty, seaside and river
passenger boats, ferry boats, tugs, fish
ing craft and pleasure boats of all de-
scription took part in the evacuation of
some 335 900 Allied troops
At the outset. the auxiliary was based
upon ownership or part ownership of
motorboat or yacht, although member
ship is now open to so-called associate
members without boats. They have aided
in manning shore stations and were
given an official status in patrolling re-
gattas by having Coast Guard petty
officer on their boats. They also helped
in rescue work, hurricanes, floods and
in similar emergency work.
Then came the war with numerous
torpedoings off the lower part of the
East Coast. There were not enough
regular vessels to perform all the res
cues and without official orders, men,
bers of the auxiliary would speed to
the aid of seaman when they learned of
q sinking. 1t was dangerous work, fire.
quently with rough seas, bitterly cold
weather and with many Of the tor
pedoed ships in flames.
Members OF the auxiliary brought
back number Of seamen. But there was
a hitch. In going out into the sea for
rescue work they were laying themselves
open to the enemy and, having q non
military status they could have been