When I was stationed at Paris as Naval Attache of our Legation, one of the principal subjects that I was directed to study was the Maritime Inscription, under which head are included the systems of manning the French navy and of providing a reserve in case of a sudden mobilization. The investigation which this study required first turned my attention to this subject. When, a year later, circumstances compelled me to retire from active service and engage in business pursuits, I found that my thoughts and ideas were always wandering back to the service, which till then had been my whole life, had included my whole future, and had been the embodiment of all my aspirations. Then, for the first time, I realized how the Navy had drifted away from all touch with the great body of the people of the country; that it was merely considered a necessary appendage to administration, not because of what it was but because of what it had been. Its glorious traditions were preserved, its past services were appreciated, but at that time, 1883, when it attracted any attention, it was when some individual interests were concerned, but rarely when any gallant service was to be chronicled. The vessels were known to be rapidly deteriorating; naval administration, particularly in the navy-yards, was a synonym for some of the worst political methods, and it was a condition to make sore the heart of any one who had a pride in his commission or who had the good of the service at heart. Such was the state of affairs when the first Advisory Board was appointed. From their work came the first squadron worthy of the name, which the Navy had possessed since the war, and with the appearance of this squadron popular interest in the Navy commenced to revive. At that time it was my constant endeavor to stimulate this revival among the business men of Boston, and the success of the efforts of my friends in and out of the Navy was evidenced in the universal enthusiasm with which the White Squadron was welcomed on its visit to Boston. The first signs of growing interest recalled me to my old studies, and determined me to take steps towards the creation of a naval reserve force which should be modeled after that of England or of France. At the same time officers of the Department had formulated a plan which bore fruit in a measure being introduced into Congress for the creation of a Naval Reserve. This measure failed of passage primarily because it had been saddled with another measure, that of subsidy, which brought it into the domain of politics, and that too during a period of high political excitement. During this time the Dorchester Yacht Club, a small club in Boston harbor, by some peculiar combination of events which I have never been able to understand, took a decided interest in the subject, and that interest was the first encouragement which I had to work on; and I may remark here, in passing, that the club has steadily given that same encouragement without stint, and has done more than any other individual or organization to create a decided interest in all naval matters among the people of Massachusetts. Its endeavors in this direction have attracted attention to it, and now it has grown into the Massachusetts Yacht Club, the most important organization of its kind in New England waters, with a squadron of 130 yachts, and it has furnished at least 50 men to the Naval Battalion.
While these events were occurring I was engaged in making a more thorough study of the subject, with the view to formulating a plan of practical application which could be put into operation in Massachusetts. Naturally the militia laws of the commonwealth were the first to be consulted, and there I encountered some obstacles which convinced me that the reserve of the Navy could not be a volunteer organization at all, but that it was quite possible to organize a State force which would be the initial movement in the creation of a National Reserve. By another peculiar coincidence I found that the constitution of the State had contemplated such a force, by making the Governor "Captain-General, Commander-in-Chief and Admiral of the land and sea forces of the State." So it appeared that while it was almost impossible to secure any Congressional legislation for the establishment of a reserve, it might be possible to create a sea force in the State under the State laws, which should bear the same relation to the Navy as the land militia does to the Army. This would certainly be better than nothing. It would be a step in the right direction; and if other States joined in the movement, it would result in having a trained body of seamen distributed along the whole coast of the United States. So it seemed to be the best plan to separate Naval Reserve and Naval Militia as two distinct forces, and to go ahead with the organization of the Naval Militia.
The subject of Naval Militia is one that should be of intense importance to those whose mercantile pursuits have created vast interests either afloat or in our seaboard cities. Our naval forces are not maintained for purposes of offense, but to give protection to our citizens, to their property, and to their interests all over the world. A small navy in proportion to our population is all that is needed, but such a force must include all the best elements both in ships and men. Having arrived at such a point of perfection, however, we cannot afford to sit still. The peace establishment is only valuable as such. But in these days, when the air is full of stories of warlike preparation, in order to command that respect which is the first essential element of defense it is necessary to have a scheme of mobilization and expansion, so that the small navy which fills all our needs in time of peace can be readily increased to a war footing. To meet such contingencies all the great naval powers of Europe have made the most complete arrangements for a sudden increase of their naval establishments. In this country we have, consistently, with our republican principles, reduced our navy to a very small footing; but at the same time, lulled into a state of fancied security by our isolated position, we have neglected the most important lesson which should have been learned from the last war, and have made absolutely no provision for a sudden increase in our force.
The crying need of our navy to-day is a reserve from which to draw men. Our merchant marine has fallen off so much that it does not fill its proper duty as a source of supply, and for some reason, probably innate ambition, Americans do not care to enlist in the lower grades of the service. Without attempting to go into the causes, the fact remains that we are obliged to seek in the foreign-born element of our population for enough seamen to man our ships, while the element of nationality is supplied by the training squadron, a most important factor, but at the same time wholly inadequate to meet the needs of the service in the case of sudden expansion.
During the last great war we found ourselves called upon to in crease the navy from 90 vessels to 700, and from 5000 men to 25,000; but as there was no provision for the separate enrollment of those citizens who followed aquatic pursuits, the quotas of the several States were drafted into the army, and the navy was almost paralyzed at a time when the service of every man was imperatively needed. To obtain the bounties, seamen were induced to enter a service where they were useless in comparison with the advantage of having their services on board ship at a time when the ocean was swarming with an enemy's privateers. The difficulty was partially remedied at the time, when Congress passed a law that all seamen who had entered the land service might be drafted into the navy.
Even at the present day there are no means of providing the navy with a single trained seaman beyond the number prescribed by law for the peace establishment, and that number would be hardly sufficient for the defense of a single large harbor in case of war. The possibility of rapid mobilization of ships and men is the first essential of an effective navy, and that essential is absolutely wanting in our navy. It may be said that we can rely upon the patriotism of our seafaring population, which amounts, in round numbers, to about 300,000. But it must be remembered that the man of-war of to-day is a complex machine, requiring thorough technical instruction for its crew, who must at the same time be men who are accustomed to a life on the water. However able the seaman may be as such, to be useful on board a ship of war his qualifications as a sailor must be supplemented by a fair technical understanding of the manipulation of heavy guns and torpedoes.
The action of the other great naval powers of the world in this direction is worthy of consideration. In Great Britain we find the first steps in this direction were taken in 1798, when a reserve force was established, which was gradually increased until, in 1810, it numbered 23,000 men. This force underwent many changes, and in 1859 the Royal Naval Reserve was established, which to-day numbers 270 officers and 18,000 enlisted men. These men are required to attend drill for 28 days in each year, and the total cost of this establishment for the year 1889 amounted to over $1,000,000. In addition to the force already described the British Government has established another, known as the Royal Naval Artillery Volunteers, which is local in organization and composed of men not professionally seafaring, but with a taste for and a certain familiarity with nautical pursuits. It has shown itself an efficient body of infantry on shore and of naval artillery afloat, and although many of the men are well up in the social scale, it has proven the willingness and facility with which men not bred to a sailor's life can be transformed into efficient man-of-war's-men, performing all duties except those of an advanced technical nature. In 1888 this force numbered about 2000 men and officers. Again there is another force called the Coast Guard, which numbers 4000 and the Seamen Pensioner Reserve and Marine Pensioner Reserve, numbering 2000. The Coast Guard patrols the coast and mans the revenue vessels and is liable to be sent to vessels of the fleet. The Pensioner Reserves are composed of men who have served their time in the Royal Navy and have retired with good-conduct pensions.
In France the active reserve is maintained by the Maritime Inscription, in which 160,000 seafaring men are enrolled. Every seaman is obliged to do one year's service in reserve on board ship, which maintains a constant reserve of 10,000 men, and another force which may be embarked at any time is the Marine Artillery and Marine Infantry, numbering 20,000 men.
In Germany the organization of trained reserves has been considered with the same thoroughness which characterizes their whole military administration, and the classes of reserve comprise the Sea Wehr, the Sea Battalion and Dock-Yard Battalions and the Marine Artillery, capable of supplying a force of 20,000 men.
In Italy the system is the same as in France, the men of the reserve having complete charge of the coast defenses and numbering about 20,000.
Russia, Austria, Spain, Sweden, Holland, Denmark, Portugal, Greece, Turkey and Japan all have complete systems of reserves to meet any emergencies.
The necessity for such a reserve has been ever present to the minds of thinking men connected with our naval service from the earliest days of the Republic, and in 1805 President Jefferson drafted a bill which would have given about 50,000 men to be enrolled. This bill proposed that every able-bodied citizen whose occupation was on the high sea or on the tide-water of the United States should be enrolled in the militia for naval service and exempt from service in the land militia. This excellent measure met with the same fate as have so many other measures relating to the efficiency of the navy, which have been thoughtfully elaborated but have failed to become law for the want of sufficient public interest; after this the subject received but little attention, until when the war came and found us totally unprepared for expansion, and even with a law which forced all sailors into the army. At that time everything had to be done in a haphazard way, which is always sure to be the concomitant of such a condition of absence of preparation, and measures had to be passed not of general utility but only such as seemed to meet the emergency. From that time there came another period of inaction, when everything belonging to the navy was considered as connected with a necessary evil, until the time when the navy had reached such a condition that something in the way of rehabilitation had to be done and done quickly. Measures were accordingly taken which resulted in the construction of our new fleet, and the navy began to receive the consideration which this most important arm of national defense merited. But with this increase of the navy came the question of manning these vessels, and nearly ten years ago the then Secretary of the Navy advocated a plan which contemplated the consolidation under the naval administration of the Revenue Marine, the Lighthouse and Coast Survey and Life-saving services, with the increase of the training squadron. This plan failed of accomplishment at the time, but it has borne fruit.
In this country our peculiar federal relations necessitate an arrangement which is somewhat different to those which I have described as being in use in other countries, and these relations involve the creation of two distinct forces—one of "the Naval Reserve, under the control of the General Government, and one of Naval Militia, under the control of the several States. It is necessary that these distinctions should be carefully observed, because the conditions governing the two bodies are so utterly different. The essential idea of a reserve is the principle of thorough training and the possibility of immediate mobilization. This is incompatible with the existence of the State force, because the men of the militia cannot be taken out of their State, and because it is recruited from those whose occupations only permit them to devote a limited space of time to training. Again, the Reserve should be under complete governmental control through its officers; but this is out of the question in this militia, because the constitution grants to the States the right to elect their own officers. The Reserve should draw its support from the government and be subject to its legislation, while the militia is supported by the separate States and under their control.
In view of these considerations the distinction must be plainly drawn on these lines. To the Reserve belong those who by enlistment, by previous education and benefits, or on account of special protection, owe their service primarily to the general government. To the Naval Militia belong those who, while following their ordinary pursuits for a livelihood, are willing to give a certain amount of time to the preparation for the defense of their homes, and who, while they contribute their time without pay, are still willing to give that service to their own State, but at the same time retaining all their privileges. One is an enforced service, the other is a voluntary one.
The necessity for distinction between these two forces lies in the peculiarity of our federal relations, which place us on a different footing to any other nation in the world. The Constitution of the United States accords to the several States the right to elect their own officers, and the State laws provide that their military forces shall not be obliged to serve outside the limits of their own State, and also give to the members of any command of the State forces the right to restrict their membership. At the same time it must be remembered that the service is purely voluntary, but at the same time it requires six days' service in training, and the liability of being called out on requisition by certain officers of the State, city or town. These restrictions are totally at variance with all the principles of military service under the general government, and they absolutely enforce the principle that any volunteer organization must be controlled by State laws, if for no other reason than for this simple one, that the men would not volunteer their services for any greater length of time or to be bound by any other restrictions.
As the Naval Militia has already been started, I propose to consider that branch of the service first. Laws creating naval militia have been passed by the States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and California, Texas and Mississippi will also probably pass the necessary laws at the next session of their Legislatures. Massachusetts is the only one which has a force enrolled according to the laws and mustered into the service, but it is confidently expected that the other States mentioned will have completed their organization by the first of July, When so organized, the Naval Militia will be a force resembling the Naval Artillery Volunteers of Great Britain, It will be under the laws governing the militia of the States and subject to the same laws, privileges and duties. In case of necessity it could be called into the service of the United States in the same manner as the land militia, and it will form an excellent school to supply officers and men when they are needed.
In 1887 the Massachusetts Yacht Club, as I have already stated, took the matter in hand and appointed a committee to present a bill to the State Legislature. This bill was passed in the spring of 1888, and as it is a model of brevity I insert it.
Section 1. There shall be allowed, in addition to the companies of the militia provided in section 22 of chapter 411 of the acts of 1877, not more than four companies of naval militia, which shall constitute a battalion, to be known as the Naval Battalion of the Volunteer Militia.
Section 2. The officers of this battalion shall consist of a lieutenant commander, whose rank and pay shall assimilate to that of a major of infantry, and a staff, to consist of one adjutant, one ordnance officer, one paymaster who shall be the mustering officer, and one surgeon, each with rank of lieutenant, junior grade. They shall be paid the same as the battalion staffs in the militia. There shall also be attached to the staff the following petty officers: One master-at-arms, two yeomen, one hospital steward, one chief bugler, who shall receive the same pay as the non-commissioned staff of a battalion of infantry.
Section 3. To each company there shall be one lieutenant (commanding), two lieutenants (junior grade), two ensigns, to receive the same pay as captains, first and second lieutenants, respectively, of infantry; two boatswain's mates, two gunner's mates, two coxswains, two quartermasters, and forty-four seamen. All enlisted men of companies shall receive the pay of enlisted men of companies of infantry of the militia.
Section 4. The Naval Battalion shall be uniformed as the commander-in-chief shall direct, out of any existing appropriations for uniforms or supplies for the militia; and shall be instructed as he may direct, and be subject to the laws and regulations governing the militia. The duty required by law may be performed afloat.
Section 5. The companies comprising the Naval Battalion may be raised as provided by law, when the United States government is ready to furnish arms and equipments and a vessel of war for performance of duty required by law.
The bill became a law immediately, but it remained inoperative, under the provisions of the last section, until the spring of 1890, when by the kindness of the present Secretary these provisions were complied with and organization became possible.
The delays and discouragements have been many and various since the passage of the original law, but those who had the matter in hand have persevered with a calm determination to carry out their intentions, and have received enthusiastic assistance from many whose predilection for a service of this peculiar nature has kept them steadfast from the beginning. There have been many changes in the names of subscribers since the first list was started, and it is but fair to say that to the kind assistance of Adjutant-General Dalton a large proportion of our success is due. With the progressive spirit which has always characterized his administration and made our militia force second to none, he early recognized the value of the new element which this force would infuse in the State militia, and has given kind and valuable assistance and encouragement when things looked most hopeless. So, after two years of alternate hope and discouragement, we met at the State House on the 28th of February, 1890, and in one evening mustered into the service four companies of 43 men each after a very rigid inspection.
The fact that 4 companies, 172 men, were mustered in on one evening was remarkable in itself, as it is the largest number that has been mustered into the service of the State at any one time since the Civil War. But as a matter of history the date was still more important, for on that day we took the first step to create the force which must in the future become a connecting link between the navy and the people, and form an additional safeguard for our homes and firesides. Composed of those who are born and bred on the seashore, accustomed more or less to aquatic sports or to a life on the water, of young men who are the children of the land, with the greatest stake in the country, such a force behind the navy must make it doubly strong. And we to-day are the pioneers of such a force for the defense of the littoral, and as time goes on this force will grow until it numbers 10,000 men, and covers the whole coast of the United States, east, west, north and south.
As the organization in Massachusetts is the only one in practical operation, the details of organization are explained, although there is very little to explain, as the organization is almost exactly that of any vessel in commission. In order to acquire certain benefits which are granted by general laws, the primary organization is that of a battalion. The only permanent officer not found in the ship organization is the adjutant, but that rank is always made a special detail in the landing bill. Moreover, the battalion organization leaves less to be explained to new men, and they begin with something that they understand. The quarter bill, naval brigade and boat bills are made out and hung in the hall of the armory, so that the quarter bill really has become the basis of organization, and the companies have become the divisions, and petty officers first and second captains of guns.
The battalion is quartered in the South Armory, and one end of the building is devoted entirely to the command, giving a good room for each division, with lockers for clothing for each man. The four rooms open into the guard hall, where the Officer of the Day is stationed with his guard, and which serves as a quarterdeck in a ship, being the point where officers meet and from which orders are issued. Then comes a large hall called the Boat Hall, in which is a frigate's launch mounted on a cradle, which is equipped with a torpedo-spar on one side, a howitzer forward, and a Gatling aft. Still another hall, called the Battery Hall, contains an exact model of the side of a modern vessel, with a sponson battery in the middle carrying a 6-inch rifle, with armor shield and muzzle pivoting guns on broadside. The 6-inch and its carriage are made of wood, both on account of expense and weight, but they are fairly good working models. In the different halls are also placed the racks for small-arms, cutlasses, pistols and single-sticks, while the drill hall, the use of which we share with the First Regiment, is 300 feet long and 150 feet wide. During the winter the drills take place on Tuesday evenings from 8 to 10, and each evening is divided up so as to give about 10 minutes for quarters for muster and inspection, 15 minutes for ceremonies, 30 minutes for divisional drill, 20 minutes for naval brigade drill or fighting exercise on shore, with intervals for rest or change of clothing. By this system it is surprising what an amount of instruction can be given, and it has the great advantage of variety, so that the men are never mentally fatigued, but their minds are always in a responsive condition, only made brighter by the mental food that is given in combination with active bodily exercises at arms, which is always particularly attractive to a young man. These armory exercises continue from the first of October to the first of May, In May the drill period changes from Tuesday night to Saturday afternoon, and the scene of exercise changes to the river. Here we have four cutters and two launches moored, and they have one hour of operations on the river, with howitzers and torpedoes and Gatlings, and one hour of exercise at street-fighting or maneuvering on shore.
On the 7th of July the command goes on board the Wabash for its five days' tour of duty. The log of last year's tour will be found in the appendix; from it any one can see that no time was wasted. The old frigates are about the only vessels in the service that can take on board 250 men and 25 officers without interfering with any of the internal arrangements of the ship. The men can be berthed and messed there with comparative comfort, which would be quite impossible on board of a small ship. The frigate becomes the headquarters where much of the instruction is given in ship routine and nomenclature, although no attempt is made to drill with the smoothbore guns, except for practice in sighting. Opportunities are excellent for boat exercise, field and torpedo exercise, and last year an opportunity was afforded, by the presence of the Petrel at the yard, for exercise with heavy guns, Hotchkiss rifles. In the fall the command went by train to Marblehead, embarked in the boats and proceeded to Salem Willows, where they went through the various drills incident to landing under fire and the attack of Fort Lee.
Now a word as to the personnel. Of the staff, the adjutant has served three years in the infantry and is a fine sailor. The ordnance officer is a graduate of the Naval Academy, the paymaster was an officer of the volunteer navy, and the surgeon resigned from the navy only a few years ago. The lieutenants commanding divisions are all graduates of the Academy, and, of the other officers, four have gone through part of the course. Some have held commissions in other militia organizations, and others have attained their rank on election and examination. By the State law the general officers and commanders of regiments and battalions form a Board of Examination, and every officer on election is obliged to present himself before the board and be examined professionally, and also as to his occupation and his financial ability to meet the expense of his office. The professional examination is generally conducted by the commanding officer of the battalion to which he belongs, this leaving largely upon the commanding officer the responsibility for his officers. At the same time any officer who has become lax in his performance of duty, or has subjected himself to opprobrium in any way, may be ordered before the board, and if his examination is not satisfactory his commission may be vacated. The system of election is the weakest part of the system in some ways, particularly when political methods are followed, but it has some advantages, and so far it has generally worked well, and it will work well with a good class of men who are professionally enthusiastic, and a good balance is kept in the hands of the commanding officer by the examination. Petty officers are nominated by the commanding officers of divisions, after having passed a satisfactory examination before a board of the commissioned officers of the division, in which examination the principal points are attention to drill, habits of command, professional knowledge and military etiquette. No nomination for petty officers is considered unless the candidate has qualified as marksman. The nominations are made to the commanding officer of battalion, who confirms them in his discretion and issues a warrant for the grade. The members of the command are recruited from all ranks of life, but generally from the same class as the officers, and in this respect the organization stands high in the State service. A large number are yachtsmen, and there are about 30 men who have honorable discharges from the service, and the rest are men engaged in business who have a preference for exercises afloat. The members have the right to discretion as to membership, and this is exercised by having an admission committee in each division. Applicants are obliged to sign a printed form, giving their personal history, sponsors and references. In the case of employees the approval of their employer is desired. After the applicant has passed the committee, his name is submitted to the lieutenant commanding the division, and, if he approves, the applicant may be mustered in when a vacancy occurs. There are 44 seamen and 8 petty officers to each company or division, but the State law also permits to each company 15 "recruits," who are enrolled but not enlisted. These form a waiting list, and give the lieutenant of the division a chance to form an opinion as to their desirability. All those who are enlisted or enrolled are required to pay an entrance fee of five dollars and a monthly assessment of fifty cents. Those who are enlisted are supplied by the State with a uniform, consisting of blue cap, coat and trousers, white Jersey, white hat and working suit, white helmet, leggings, canteen, haversack and pea jacket. The officers supply their own uniforms and side-arms. Their full dress is a blue suit resembling the navy blouse suit, but sufficiently different to prevent one from being mistaken for the other. They also have a white serge suit and helmet and blue overcoat with cape, which is made of mackintosh cloth. The State had no arms to supply for our peculiar drills, but the Department has kindly loaned such as were necessary until the appropriation became available. As nearly all of our young men pass through the public schools where they receive military instruction, it has not been necessary to devote any time to preliminary drills. In fact I have rather tried to make them unlearn some things, so as to get rid of the stiffness which would interfere with their efficiency at drill in the boats or on board ship. Special attention is given to promoting efficiency in rifle practice, and military exercises are confined to those which may be called fighting exercises. Each division is required to contribute $25 a month to the battalion fund, and this fund is administered by the council, which is composed of commanding officer and adjutant and paymaster and one commissioned officer and one enlisted man from each division, who are elected annually. The State allows pay to each officer and each enlisted man while on duty; the pay of officers averages about $4 per day, and that of the men is $2 per day without regard to rating. All pay received from the State is assigned to lieutenants commanding divisions and by them turned into the battalion fund. The paymaster makes contracts subject to the approval of the commanding officer for feeding officers and men while on service, and it costs for the men $1.50 per day and for the officers $2.50 per day. The table is excellent, and as nearly as possible the food is such as the men are accustomed to have at home. I have been freely criticized by persons in and out of the Navy for not requiring the men to live on ship's rations while on board ship, but my reason for not doing so is that they are not accustomed to such food, and if it was attempted their stomachs would be so upset that they would not be capable of doing nearly as much work. At the same time I have found them ready to submit to necessary privation, and they have always responded readily when called upon for any extraordinary exertion.
So much for the Naval Militia. But this force, it must be remembered, can only operate in the waters of its own State. In time of war it would have to be mustered in the naval service. Something more than this is necessary to make it possible for the Navy to respond efficiently on a sudden call to arms; it must have a reserve force subject to the control of the Navy Department which is more thoroughly trained and more easily mobilized. The subject of a naval reserve is one which I approach with diffidence, as I do not speak from experience. My suggestions are merely the result of my own thoughts and reading, and I advance them because it has seemed to me that the plans which have already been presented have failed to have the practical element which is necessary to success. Another reason that I have for submitting them is, that I know that however crude my propositions may be, some one else will have his thoughts turned in that direction, and will evolve something which will be thoroughly practical. Reserve is the real power of a military service. The actual fighting force is of but little consequence, unless it has the support of a force, latent perhaps, but which is known to exist. Our country commands respect as one of the great powers of the world, not because of its little army of 25,000 men, but because there are five millions of men more or less trained to arms behind that standing army. So it should be with the Navy. Our 8000 seamen would only give about one man for every mile of seacoast. I need not say to you how much more than ever technical training is necessary for a man-of-war's-man, and there is no source open now from which to draw the trained men required. A large proportion of the men in our fishing fleet come from the Provinces, and would be of no use for manning the fleet. The crews of the coasters are a nondescript lot, their lives are full of hardships, and they would be of but little value. There is now no American merchant fleet, which in old times was the nursery of seamen. The largest and best class from which we could draw is that of inshore fishermen, who are more largely native Americans, and who own their homes and have an interest in the country. It is well known to us all how much the active force of the Navy is depleted by the crews of Receiving Ships, Naval Academy, Coast Survey ships, which must all be maintained, and this number will be largely increased when the Revenue Marine, Lighthouse and Life-saving services are consolidated with the Navy.
The Naval Academy each year sends into civil life a number of young men who have received a magnificent education at the expense of the government, and who would become officers if there were places for them. The training squadron does the same work for the enlisted men, and each year there are numbers of those who drop out after having received a thorough training. Now it would seem as if these two classes owed still some service to the nation which has educated them and given them a good start in life, and they ought to be willing to render some service, and the country ought to be willing to pay for it.
The masters and men of the merchant service who sail under the flag and those who are engaged in fisheries receive protection from the government through its navy, and the government is entitled to their services also. Whether good or bad, they are the seafaring class, hardy and accustomed to privations and to a life on the sea.
Now, of these three classes we could create the naval reserve, all of them directly belonging to the government which maintains them or which has educated them or which protects them. The first necessity would be their enrollment, so that the number would be known and they could be called upon in an emergency and provision made for drilling them. Pay should be given for their services, not only when performing actual duty, but to retain the right to their services, and, most important of all, the reserve should be permanently under the command of a flag-officer with a staff, whose entire duty would be the maintenance of this force.
To carry out this idea I propose a plan which I acknowledge to be crude, but which I hope to see abler men take up and elaborate. To divide the coast into reserve districts, with the receiving-ship for the district headquarters, the captain of the receiving-ship being captain of the reserve for that district, and under the direct command of the flag-officer commanding the reserve. The reserve to be divided into three classes in each district. The first class to include the crew of the district ship and all men belonging now to the Revenue Marine, Life-Saving Service and Coast Survey. The second class to include all those who have passed through the Naval Academy and the training squadron, who may be resident in the district. The third class to include all the masters and crews of the merchant vessels and all the fishermen who belong to the ports of that district. The men of the different classes should be so disposed that they would assemble on board the district ship at certain periods, and when those periods arrived a squadron should be on hand to take them on board for a period of days for drill with the modern weapons of war. They should all be supplied with a suit of uniform, and the officers should have a certain rank. The principal work, except the service afloat, would fall on the staff of the receiving or district ship, which would have to take care of the enrollment and keep account of the movements of all the men belonging to the different classes. Such measures as I have outlined would first require national legislation and then the reserve would have to be placed in the hands of those who were in sympathy with such a movement. There would be a great deal of work to be done in the beginning, but system would make that work very simple. In France, where bureau methods are more perfect in detail than in any other country, this system has been carried out so thoroughly that the Commissary of the Maritime Inscription can tell at any time the whereabouts of every man in his district not only in the active service but also in the reserve. The French system of classes is more paternal in its relations to the men and is more perfect in its results than the English system, and it brings the navy into closer relations with the people, and the men of the fleet are very closely identified with local interests.
The necessity of bringing the navy into close relations with the people is of paramount importance, and I have realized it more and more since I have been one of the people myself. Our country is so big and our navy so small that this is difficult under present conditions. Probably, as time goes on, the number of officers and men in service will have to be increased, but it will never be really strong until we have a strong reserve force behind it, binding it now closely to the people by ties of kindred, of sympathy and of interest.
By the organization of these two bodies, the naval reserve and the naval militia, we shall obtain powerful allies for the navy, compelling respect for it abroad and commanding affection at home. Each branch may be counted on to supply 10,000 additional men, and will allow to the peace establishment the services of every man on the rolls. What I have suggested for the reserve may be considered chimerical, for nothing has been done. But I believe the establishment of the Massachusetts Naval Militia will be only the beginning of the creation of a magnificent force which will bring in incalculable strength to the navy. The naval militia is no longer an experiment. In one short year our naval battalion has become a corps d’elite both in character of the men and in their professional attainments. It is the only force in the State to-day, regular or volunteer, which knows how to drill with heavy rifled guns or with torpedoes. Filled with enthusiasm for the naval service, inspired by high aspirations, composed of the flower of our young men, the naval battalion of Massachusetts militia is the advance-guard of a mighty force which will in time form a belt of trained seamen around the whole coast of the United States, to stand in the same relation to the navy that the land militia does to the army, a band of brothers emulating their devotion and discipline, ready to live with them, to fight with them, and, if need be, to die with them.
APPENDIX.
A. REPORT OF LIEUT. SOLEY TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL, 1890.
Headquarters Naval Battalion, M. V. M., South Armory,
Boston, December 1, 1890.
Major-General Dalton, Adjutant-General of Massachusetts.
General:—I have the honor to submit my report of the operations of the Naval Battalion during the past year.
In the latter part of February those who desired to be enrolled in this organization were directed to meet at the State House, and the four companies, allowed by law were mustered into the service of the State. On the completion of the South Armory, quarters were assigned in that building, and drills commenced in June. From that time until August the time was devoted to preliminary instruction in infantry exercises, cutlass drill, bayonet fencing, and duties aboard ship, as far as they could be explained in the armory.
The command was ordered to perform the five days' duty required by law on board the frigate Wabash at the Navy Yard, for which permission had been granted by the Navy Department. The command reported on board the United States steamship Wabash, Captain Matthews, United States Navy, commanding, at noon on Monday, the 19th of August. The first day was devoted to general instruction with the broadside battery. Gatling gun and breech-loading rifles; the second day to practice with the six-inch breech loading rifles and Hotchkiss rapid-fire guns on board the United States steamship Petrel, Commander Brownson commanding, which vessel happened to be in the dry-dock undergoing repairs; the third day was devoted to exercises afloat in the launches and cutters, with boat howitzers; the fourth day was principally occupied with inspection by his Excellency the Governor.
In addition to the drills, which formed the principal feature of each day, the command was disembarked every morning at 6.30 for exercises of the naval, brigade, and in the afternoon for the military ceremonies of parade. The pioneers were instructed in making igniters and fuses, and in improvising torpedoes, afloat; in mining, telegraph lines, in making bridges, in throwing up breastworks and in laying mines and countermines, ashore. At the same time the routine of a man-of-war was observed, as far as possible under our peculiar circumstances, to give some idea of routine etiquette and discipline as carried out on board a vessel of the navy. Practical instruction was also given in night exercises at the battery or on fire-alarm.
The duties on board ship were performed under considerable difficulty; but the cordial co-operation of Captain Matthews, Lieutenant-Commander Merry and of the other officers of the Wabash smoothed the way as far as was possible, and contributed immeasurably to the success of the first tour of duty. Much time was necessarily lost in transporting the command from the ship to the shore for the land exercises. The arrangements for messing the men left something to be desired; but, at the same time, they were carried out with a success that exceeded my warmest expectations.
The day of duty required in the autumn was assigned for September 23. On that day the command was organized as a naval brigade, was transported to Marblehead by train, there embarked in launches and cutters, and towed to Salem harbor. Arriving opposite the point of attack, line was formed, the torpedo corps, under cover of the fire of the launches, exploded a countermine to remove torpedoes supposed to have been placed in the channel, and then the whole force was landed on the beach. After landing, tactical movements had to be temporarily abandoned, because the crowd of sightseers, though very good-natured, was very large and curious. As soon as the command could be extricated from the crowd, the tactical movement was continued. The objective point was an old earthwork about half a mile from the landing place. A mine was placed and exploded, and the boat guns, placed in improvised earthworks, bombarded the fort, and the command charged up to the top of the parapet. This being the first drill of such a nature, there was no attempt at having an opposing force, the whole exercise being considered in the light of drill which should lead up to detailed instruction in the winter.
During the fall and winter the command has been drilled in cutlass and bayonet fencing, naval brigade exercise, aiming drill, Gatling and boat howitzer drill, skirmish drill, street fighting and boat exercise at the Navy Yard.
Although other drills occupied such a large portion of the time that it was almost impossible to devote any time to instruction in target practice, the requirement that all gun-captains should qualify as marksmen has had a good effect, and thirty-six officers and men have qualified as marksmen for this year.
I am very proud of the work done by the command during the few months of its existence. The men were called upon to do harder and more continuous work during the tour of duty on board the Wabash than I have ever before required of men under instruction. They responded heartily, did their work well in good sailor fashion, and showed an earnest desire to learn. The success of my efforts was due to the able assistance of the commanding officers of divisions, and to this same earnest zeal on the part of the men. While comparatively little attention has been paid to perfecting the men in the minor details of an infantry drill, which are sometimes considered all-important by those who have made a specialty of that arm of the service, it has been my endeavor, in the short time since the command was organized, to perfect it in the fighting exercises; and, while the drill may not be all that can be desired on dress parade, I think I can safely say that the command is ready to do any duty that it may be called upon to perform, either afloat or ashore.
I respectfully call attention to the fact that up to this time our arms and equipments have been of the simplest description, and what improvements have been made, or equipments obtained, have been at the expense of private individuals. Generous contributions have enabled us to purchase a ten-barrel Gatling and its equipments. If sufficient funds are obtained, it is proposed to purchase a Hotchkiss revolving cannon. Arrangements are in progress for mounting in the armory a full-size model six-inch breech-loading rifle, in a barbette turret with armor shield, and a ship's launch fitted for mounting a rapid-fire gun, a Gatling, and a howitzer, with proper torpedo appliances.
I respectfully recommend the purchase of a gun-cotton torpedo outfit, as the use of gunpowder for this purpose is obsolete.
As electricity plays such an important part in any school of application, I recommend that the Legislature be requested to authorize the enlistment of another company, to be a torpedo company; that the enlistments in this company be confined to men who can pass as practical electricians or machinists; that permission be obtained for a certain number of this company to attend at the torpedo station for practical instruction; and that the Navy Department be requested to detail officers to give practical instruction in this branch during the winter.
The cordial support received from the Navy Department and from officers of the navy shows how favorably this new organization is regarded by the regular service. Special thanks are due to Captain Matthews and Lieutenant-Commander Merry of the Wabash, to Commander Brownson, Lieutenant Mason and Ensigns Tillman and Chambers of the Petrel, for valuable assistance.
I remain, General, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
John C. Soley, Lieutenant-Commander.
B. ADMIRAL WALKER'S ROUTINE ORDER.
The following program of exercises on board the fleet, as directed by Admiral Walker, was carried out exactly for the summer drill of 1891:
Monday, July 6.
The Naval Militia will join the Wabash for five days.
Tuesday, July 7.
At 9 A. M.—The Militia Battalion will report on board the ships of the squadron as follows: First division on the Chicago, second division on the Newark, third division on the Boston, fourth division on the Atlanta, a crew of officers on the Yorktown.
Each division will be in charge of its commanding officer, and will be divided into four guns' crews of 12 men each. These crews will be assigned to the gun divisions of the ship in numerical order.
At 9.30—The ship's company will be inspected at quarters, and will be drilled at great guns until 10.15, the militia guns' crews looking on.
At 10.30—The militia guns' crews will be called to quarters and be instructed and drilled at great guns by the divisional officers of the ship until 11.30.
At 1.15—The first and second militia guns' crews will be stationed at the guns of the secondary battery, and will be instructed and drilled at them by the divisional officers of the ship for one hour.
The third and fourth militia guns' crews will be assigned to the powder divisions, and will be instructed by the divisional officers of the ship in the ammunition and its service for one hour.
At 2.30—The first and third and the second and fourth militia guns' crews will change places and be instructed and drilled as for the last period.
At 4.30—The militia divisions will return to the Wabash.
Wednesday, July 8.
At 9 A. M.—The militia divisions will report on board as on the previous day, and each crew will be assigned to replace one of the regular crews of the division to which it belongs.
At 9.30—The squadron will, on signal from the flagship, go to general quarters and be exercised without powder until 10.15, the militia guns' crews participating.
At 10.30—The militia will be called to quarters and be drilled at great guns by their own officers for one hour.
At 1. 15 P. M.—The militia division will be stationed at the secondary battery, and be drilled at those guns by the ships' officers for one hour.
At 2.30—The naval militia will be assigned to boats to replace a part of each crew, and will be instructed by the officers and crews of the boats in their duties at "Away all boats armed and equipped."
At 3.30—Upon signal from the flagship, all boats of the squadron will be armed and equipped for distant service, the militia replacing the regular members of the boats' crews as previously detailed.
At 4.30—The militia divisions will return to the Wabash.
Thursday, July 9.
At 9 A. M.—The militia division will report and be assigned to divisions as on the previous day.
At 9.30—Regular quarters and inspection, the militia guns' crews participating.
At 10.30—The squadron will get under way and stand out the harbor to the place selected for target practice with the main and secondary batteries.
The target will be placed at the apex of a triangle, whose sides will be 1500 yards, and the end of the base occupied by observing boats to plot the fall of the shot.
At 12.30—The squadron being in column, the ships will pass along the base of the triangle, and each militia crew at its station at the main battery, will, in passing, fire two shots at the target.
The squadron will then countermarch, and each militia crew at its station at the secondary battery, will, in passing, fire five shots at the target.
At 3.30 P. M.—The squadron will return to its anchorage, and on arrival the militia divisions will return to the Wabash.
9 to 10 P. M.—The squadron will be supposed to be an enemy's squadron at anchor in the harbor, but not protected by torpedo-nets or guard-boats.
The naval militia will attempt to destroy one or more of the ships by torpedoes improvised as it may devise.
The squadron will defend itself with search lights and the secondary battery.
Rules and umpires for this attack to be arranged hereafter.
Friday, July 10.
At 8.30 A. M.—The militia divisions will report as on Tuesday.
At 9—His Excellency the Governor of Massachusetts will be received by the squadron and will go on board of the Chicago.
At 9.30—The squadron will get under way and proceed to an anchorage off Deer Island.
At 10.30 A. M.—The squadron's Naval Brigade and the Militia Battalion will make a landing on Deer Island, supposed to be in the possession of an enemy.
At 12.30 P. M.—The squadron will return to its anchorage, and on arrival the militia divisions will return to the Wabash.
Saturday, July 11.
At 11 A. M.—The Naval Militia Battalion will leave the Wabash, and accompanied by the Squadron Naval Brigade will return to its armory.
C. UNIFORM ORDER.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Adjutant-General's Office, Boston, May 23, 1890.
General Orders,
No. 10.
The following bill of dress is hereby adopted for the Naval Battalion of the M. V. M.:
COATS.
Full dress for officers: A blouse of dark navy-blue cloth, shaped to the figure, to descend to top of inseam of trousers; a slit over each hip extending on the right side five inches from the bottom of the coat, and on the left side as high as the position of the lower edge of the sword-belt; single-breasted, with a "fly" front fitted with plain, flat, black gutta-percha buttons and a standing collar. The collar, edges of the coat, side seams of the back from the shoulder to the lower edge of the skirt, and edges of the hip slits to five inches from bottom of coat shall be trimmed with lustrous black mohair braid one and one fourth inches wide laid on flat, beside which, at a distance of one-eighth of an inch, with an overhand turn three-eighths of an inch in diameter at each change of direction, a narrow, black silk braid one-eighth of an inch wide shall be placed. On each side of the collar shall be embroidered in high relief, one inch in width, the grade devices. The grade marks on the sleeve will be of gold lace.
In warm weather a similar coat made of white linen duck, trimmed with white linen braid, and with the sleeve ornaments of white braid of the same character as prescribed in gold lace for the blue coat, and without collar devices.
For enlisted men: Dark navy-blue cloth shaped to the figure, to descend to the top of the inseam of the trousers, single-breasted, with five small, State buttons, and around the collar of the coat two stripes of white tape three sixteenths of an inch wide and three-sixteenths of an inch apart, the outer Stripe to be one-quarter of an inch from the edge, the stripes to extend down in front to bottom of opening. In each corner of the collar there should be worked in white a star three-quarters of an inch in diameter.
Around the cuffs of the coat two stripes of white tape three-sixteenths of an inch wide, one-quarter of an inch apart, the middle line of the space between the stripes to come over the middle of the cuff.
TROUSERS.
For all commissioned officers: Dark navy-blue cloth, having a strip of black mohair braid one and one-fourth inches wide down their outer seam.
For all enlisted men: Dark blue cloth.
WORKING DRESS—ENLISTED MEN.
Suit of unbleached cotton cloth, the same as now issued to United States Navy, and, in addition, a white Jersey as per pattern in Adjutant-General's office.
OVERCOAT.
For all commissioned officers: Same as now prescribed by United States Navy regulations.
For all enlisted men: Heavy, dark navy-blue cloth lined with dark-blue flannel, the bottom of the skirt to reach the tips of fingers, arm hanging by the side in its natural position, double-breasted, made to button to the neck, with rolling collar, same material as the coat, and broad enough to protect the ears when turned up. Five large-size State buttons on each front, the lower buttons to be placed on a line with the opening of the horizontal pocket, the others to be equally spaced up to the throat. An outside pocket in each breast, the openings to be up and down, and the lower part of the opening to be level with the elbow.
A horizontal pocket, with flap cover, shall be placed in each front below the line of the waist. Overcoat to be worn completely buttoned.
Buttons same as now prescribed for the militia.
CRAVAT.
Same as now prescribed for militia,
GLOVES.
Same as prescribed for militia.
CAP—FULL DRESS.
The cap for all officers shall be of dark navy-blue cloth, the diameter at the top to be slightly more than at the base, the quarters not less than one and one-fourth or more than one and one-half inches high, and of the same height in front and at the back. The seam around the top shall be made without a welt, and neatly stitched on each side. The band shall be one and one-half inches wide with a welt one-eighth of an inch in diameter at the top and bottom. The bottom welt shall be one-eighth of an inch from the base of the cap. A band of lustrous black mohair braid, similar to that used for the trimmings of the service coat, shall be worn between upper and lower welts. The visor shall be molded to shape, and covered with the same cloth as used for the cap. The visor shall slope downward not less than sixty degrees from the horizontal. The inside band shall be of leather and shall extend from the base of the cap to within one inch of the top. The sweat lining shall be of morocco. Four black metal eyelets, two on each side, shall be placed above the band in the quarters for ventilation. A small-sized State button shall be placed on each side beyond the ends of the visor, the eye of the button immediately above the lower welt.
For all officers: A strap of mohair cord doubled with two sliding knots.
For all enlisted men: Dark navy-blue cloth of the same shape as for officers; band, lustrous black mohair; visor, leather covered with cloth; chin-strap, black patent leather one-half inch wide fastened at the side with two small gilt State buttons and provided with two leather slides. Two small eyelet ventilating holes in each side of quarters.
HAT (canvas).
For all enlisted men: 8 oz. cotton duck, well shrunk before cutting, and with no sweat leather. Hat ribbon of black silk, one and one-fourth inches wide, with the letters M. V. M. woven in gilt thread through the center of the ribbon.
SWORD, SWORD BELT AND SWORD KNOT.
For all officers: The same as prescribed for use in the United States Navy.
For petty officers of battalion staff: Same as for non-commissioned staff of infantry.
CAP ORNAMENTS.
For all commissioned officers: The ornament shall be embroidered on dark blue cloth in high relief, and attached to the front of the cap, with its center over the upper welt. The device shall be a silver shield emblazoned with the arms and crest of Massachusetts placed upon two crossed fouled anchors embroidered in gold. Around the visor a strip of one-half inch gold lace shall be sewed flat. The lieutenant-commander will have, in addition, gold braid one-eighth inch wide sewed above the gold lace in small overhand knots.
For all enlisted men: The ornament will be two crossed anchors of gilt metal surmounted by the letter of their company.
HELMET.
For all officers and men: The helmet shall be made of cork or other suitable material, covered with white duck, the crown to measure (in the curve), from the lower edge of the outside band below the strap buttons to the center of the ventilator on top of the crown, not less than six nor more than six and three-fourths inches. The brim at the front shall not be less than two and one-fourth nor more than two and one-half inches wide, and shall diminish in width to one inch on each side at the middle of the crown; the brim at the back shall be three-eighths of an inch wider than that in front, and diminish to the same width on the sides as the front brim.
INSIGNIA OF RANK ON COLLAR.
Collar devices shall be embroidered in high relief upon each side of the collar of the service coat. They shall be one inch in height, with other dimensions proportionate, and shall be placed vertically or horizontally with reference to the upper edge of the collar.
The rank device shall commence three-quarters of an inch from the front edge of the collar. The corps device shall be placed three-quarters of an inch in rear of the rear edge of the rank device.
Where two bars are worn the distance between them shall be the width of a bar. The bar shall always be placed at right angles to the upper edge of the collar.
The anchor shall be placed with the shank parallel to the upper edge of the collar, and the crown to the front.
Devices shall be as follows:
For lieutenant-commander: A gold oak leaf and a gold foul anchor.
For lieutenants: Two gold bars and a gold foul anchor.
For lieutenants, junior grade: One gold bar and a gold foul anchor.
For ensigns: A gold foul anchor.
The adjutant will wear an aiguillette of black silk braid.
INSIGNIA OF RANK ON THE SLEEVE.
For lieutenant-commander: Two strips of one-half inch gold lace with one strip of one-fourth inch gold lace between each, one-quarter of an inch apart.
Lieutenants: Two strips of one-half inch gold lace, one-quarter of an inch apart.
Lieutenants, junior grade: One strip of one-half inch gold lace with one strip of one-fourth inch gold lace, one-quarter of an inch above it.
Ensigns: One strip of one-half inch gold lace.
The lower edge of the lace in each case shall be two inches from the edge of the sleeve.
The surgeon will wear dark maroon velvet between the stripes, and the paymaster white cloth between the stripes.
All officers will wear a star of five rays, embroidered in gold, one inch in diameter, on the outer side of each sleeve, and midway between the seams, with one of the rays pointing directly downwards, and the point one-fourth of an inch from the upper edge of the upper strip of lace.
CHEVRONS AND INSIGNIA OF PETTY OFFICERS.
All chevrons shall be made of red cloth, same size as now issued by the Navy Department, the rating-badge over chevrons to be worked in white silk. In the interior angle of the chevron the specialty mark of the wearer shall be placed, worked in white silk.
All chevrons shall be worn on both sleeves of the uniform coat.
Master-at-arms: Three bars and arch of three bars with eagle and star.
Yeoman of ordnance: Three bars with eagle and bomb.
Yeoman of stores: Three bars with eagle and cross-keys.
Bugler; Three bars with eagle and bugle.
Hospital steward: Three bars with eagle and caduceus.
First boatswain's mate: Three bars with eagle and crossed anchors over lozenge.
For all other boatswain's mates and gunner's mates: Three bars with eagle and crossed anchors.
Coxswains and quartermasters: Two bars with eagle and crossed anchors.
By order of the Commander-in-Chief,
Samuel Dalton, Adjutant-General.
D. BY-LAWS, NAVAL BATTALION, M. V. M.
No. I. An assessment of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) per month shall be levied on each company, to be paid to the Paymaster, to constitute a Battalion Fund.
No. 2. There shall be a Council, consisting of the commanding officer of the battalion, and the Paymaster, who shall be treasurer, and one commissioned officer and one enlisted man from each company.
The members of the Council shall be elected annually by ballot in each company, and their term of office shall begin at the expiration of the annual meeting on the first Tuesday in May.
No payments can be made from the Battalion Fund except by the Paymaster, and by him only when authorized by a majority vote of the Council. The commanding officer shall have the casting vote in case of a tie.
No. 3. The Paymaster shall present a statement of the financial condition of the battalion at the annual meeting of the battalion in May of each year.
No. 4. There shall be a quarterly meeting of the battalion held in the armory, for discussion and instruction, notice of the dates of said meetings to be given in published orders.
A quorum for business shall consist of ten members from each company.
No. 5. These By-Laws may be altered or amended by a majority vote, previous printed notice of two weeks having been given.
E. STATION BILLET, NAVAL BATTALION, M. V. M.
Name.
Rating.
Part of Ship.
Watch No
Mess No
Hammock No .
Locker No
Station at General Quarters.
Division No, Gun No
Powder Division
Navigator's Division
Engineer's Division
Torpedo Division
Division,
Stations at Quarters.
Duties of Numbers.
I— 1st Captain Boarder.
2—2d Captain 2d Rifleman.
3—1st Elevator 2d Rifleman.
4—2d Elevator Boarder.
5—1st Loader Boarder.
6—2d Loader 1st Rifleman.
7—1st Trainer, Pumpman 1st Rifleman.
8—2d Trainer, Fireman 2d Rifleman.
9—1st Shellman Port Guard.
10—2d Shellman Port Guard.
11—1st Powderman 2d Rifleman.
12—2d Powderman 1st Rifleman.
13—3d Shellman 1st Rifleman.
14—4th Shellman 1st Rifleman.
15—3d Powderman 1st Rifleman.
16—4th Powderman 1st Rifleman.
17—3d Trainer Port Guard.
18—4th Trainer Port Guard.
F. DRILL ROUTINE.
8 P. M.—Assembly and inspection,
8.10 P. M.—Recall.
8.15 P. M.—Dress parade or review.
8.25 P. M.—Recall. Shift to white.
8.30 P. M.—Drill call.
1st Division
2d "
3d "
4th "
9.10 P. M.—Recall.
9.15 P. M.—Drill call. Naval Brigade.
9.40 P. M.—Recall.
9.50 P. M.—Tattoo.
10 P. M. Taps.
By order of Lieut.-Comdr, Soley.
C. L. Perrin, Adjutant.
G. ORDER FOR EXAMINATION OF PETTY OFFICERS.
The commissioned officers of each division will be formed into a board of examination, the commanding officer of the division being chairman of the board. When vacancies occur in the grades of petty officers, candidates will be examined by the board as to their general qualifications, taking into account attendance at drills, military etiquette, professional attainments and habits of command. Commanding officers in making nominations for warrants will state that the nominees have passed a satisfactory examination. No nomination will be considered unless the candidate has qualified as 3d class marksman.
By order of Lieut. -Comdr. Soley.
C. L. Perrin, Adjutant.