The Naval Militia of New Jersey was organized in the spring of 1895.
The members are largely from Jersey City, Newark and Hoboken. The Navy
Department allowed them the old man-of-war, the Portsmouth, which had
been dismantled and consigned to "Rotten Row." The Jersey sailors have
fitted her up with masts and rigging and again she is fit to go to sea
and has become once more a school to turn out thorough going seaman.
In addition to the yearly cruise on the Portsmouth, the militia have
drills, inspections, etc., on board other men-of-war. In 1897 these
drills were aboard the Maine off Tompkinsville, and from the official
report of the Board of Naval officers to inspect them, the following
data is taken:
"The Battalion of the East:
"Fifteen commissioned officers; eight chief petty officers; one hundred
and eighty-six officers and enlisted men.
"The commander, executive officer and navigator are elected by majority
vote of all the commissioned officers; the adjutant, ordinance officer,
paymaster, surgeon and assistant surgeon are appointed by the
commander; the divisional officers are elected by the men of their
divisions. Three of the commissioned officers are graduates of the
Naval Academy. Another passed two years and seven months at the Naval
Academy; and two are from the merchant service.
"The state appropriations average about $7,500 and the balance of the
fund needed has been contributed by the citizens and by the members of
the battalion.
"The armament consists of:
"Main battery; eleven 8 inch Dahlgreen M. L. smooth bore; one converted
Parrott B. L. R. Secondary battery; one 1 pounder Hotchkiss Repeating
Rifle, mark II; two 3 inch B. L. R. (Navy Howitzer 350 pounds); one
Gatling, long. Of the guns, all the secondary have field carriages.
Boat mounts are to come out of the U. S. appropriations. Small arms:
200 Lee rifles, 2d model; 45 calibre and accoutrements; 150 Navy
revolvers; 150 cutlasses; 150 belts, boxes and frogs.
"The boats include 1 steam cutter, 3 cutters, 2 whale-boats, 1 gig, and
2 dinghy. The signal outfit consists of the International Code, Navy
numerals and wigwag flags.
"The uniforms of the officers are similar to those worn in the regular
Navy and that of the petty officers and men of the Navy pattern.
"Tents are furnished when required by the Quartermaster of the state.
The battalion owns a complete outfit of mess gear.
"Drills and exercises on board ship: Seamanship, compass, log line,
boats, signals, ship routine and discipline. Onshore: Infantry,
artillery, signalling.
"The men of the Engineers' division have technical instruction at
Stevens' Institute, on steamers of regular lines running out from New
York, and in operating and caring for the steam plant on board of the
Portsmouth."
On several occasions the Battalion of the East has won praise and
distinction in public parades, and during the present year have
acquitted themselves with honor in the war with Spain. Among the first
volunteers to be called into service last spring five of their men
had charge of a signal station at Barnegat. Detailed to the Badger
they took part in blockading duty off Cuba, where for several days the
Badger was the flag ship. The Badger is the only ship manned by Naval
Militia that captured any prize, and the Jersey boys are very proud of
their record, having captured three.
[Illustration: U. S. S. PORTSMOUTH.]