COLLEGE MEN LEARNED ROPES

Between three and four hundred undergraduates and graduates of the University went on the Naval Training Cruise for Civilians, which started on August 15. The fleet of training vessels consisted of nine ships, the Rhode Island flagship; Virginia, Kearsarge, Louisiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine and New Jersey, all battleships of the Atlantic reserve fleet. The 2300 volunteers formed about half of the crews of these ships, the other half being regular sailors.

The fleet of nine ships was mobilized at Montauk, on the eastern end of Long Island, and on August 20 proceeded to Black Island, where the Volunteer Blue Fleet was organized, which attempted to prevent the landing of 40,000 men by the Red Fleet somewhere north of Cape Hatteras. Twenty torpedo boats, together with colliers, supply ships, submarines and an aeroplane completed the fleet. The torpedo boats were sent out to scout for the enemy, and reported its location east of New Jersey, whither the battleships were sent. After several minor fights the Blues were defeated in a large engagement.

Sailors Reviewed at Fortress Monroe.

After the war game, the naval "rookies" went to Hampton Roads, and were reviewed at Fortress Monroe. At Tangier Sound selected gun crews engaged in target practice with three and five inch guns, while others practiced firing one-pounders from small boats.

The ships then returned to the ports of departure, where local defensive practice was held with torpedo boats and "mosquito" fleets of launches.

The daily routine starting with reveille at 5 o'clock and dish washing until 7.30, including half an hour of polishing brass work, five hours of physical, gun, fire and loading drills, as well as scrubbing clothes, and torpedo, defense, searchlight and other drills.

Volunteers were given general instruction in handling guns, signalling, engineering (including stoking), steering and wireless work for the first two weeks, and were then permitted to specialize.

Attitude of Volunteers Commended.

In an interview with a CRIMSON reporter a member of the cruise commended the general attitude of the volunteers, who though they could not be punished except by being dismissed from the cruise, observed almost perfect discipline. Although the volunteers knew little of the war game, they learned enough seamanship to feel perfectly at home on a battleship. "The cruise was very well managed," he said, "especially in view of the fact that it was the first of its kind. The food was good, and the regulars, who were exceedingly gentlemanly, rendered us no small service by their advice and instruction in the details of seamanship."