cond line of
defence. They could operate signal stations, help handle torpedoes and
mines, officer and man auxiliary cruisers, and assist in the defence of
points which are not covered by the army. There are numbers of advanced
bases which do not come under the present scheme of army coast defence,
and which would have to be defended, at any rate during the first weeks
of war, by bodies of Naval Militia; while the knowledge they get by
their incessant practice in boats on the local waters would be
invaluable.

"Furthermore, the highest and best trained bodies could be used
immediately on board the regular ships of war; this applies to the
militia of the lakes as well as to the militia of the seacoast--and
certainly no greater tribute is necessary to pay to the lake militia.
Many of these naval battalions are composed of men who would not enlist
in time of peace, but who, under the spur of war, would serve in any
position for the first few important months."

The last sentence of the above extract is of peculiar interest, inasmuch
as it proved true in every particular. The crews of the auxiliary ships
manned by the Naval Militia during the Spanish-American war of 1898 were
composed of men who, in civil life, were brokers, lawyers, physicians,
clerks, bookkeepers, or men of independent means. They sacrificed their
personal interests for the moment, and, in their patriotic zeal,
accepted positions of the most menial capacity on board ship.

Prior to the outbreak of war they had entered into training with the
utmost enthusiasm. The Navy Department had assigned some of the older
vessels to the various naval brigades, to be used as training ships, and
with these as headquarters the brigades began drilling. In addition to
the regular routine, summer cruising was taken up.

The First Battalion, New York State Militia, for instance, went in a
body to Fisher's Island, off the eastern end of Connecticut, and there
engaged in landing parties, camping, and sham battles. On another
occasion the battalion embarked on board the battleships "Massachusetts"
and "Texas," each militiaman having a regular bluejacket for a running
mate, and doing just as he did. The two ships cruised in the vicinity of
Fisher's Island, and a programme was carried out which included
instruction in the different parts of the ship in great guns and
ordnance, such drills as abandon ship, arm and away boats, clear ship
for action, general quarters, signalling