1915-1918 Naval Militia

During these intensive activities of recruitment and expansion of the Guard, another organization to demand some of the manpower of the Territory had been authorized and was now being brought into being. During the legislative session of 1915, a law was enacted known as Act 151 of that session establishing a Naval Militia in the Territory of Hawaii not to exceed a force of four divisions. The same act also created a Naval Militia Board of five members to comprise officers of the Naval Militia. The act creating this Naval Militia, however, failed to provide any funds for its support. equipment and the like. Governor Pinkham immediately allotted $250.00 per month from his Contingent Fund to assist in the formation of the Naval Militia.

On May 15, 1915, Governor Pinkham appointed the following to constitute the Naval Militia Board provided by the above-mentioned act:

Commander A. Gartley. Commanding Officer.

Lieut. Commander R. E. Lambert, Executive Officer.

Paymaster J. Morton Riggs, Pay Officer.

Mr. Joseph E. Sheedy.

Mr. David Kalauokalani, Jr.

The board met in January 1916, and supervised the formation of two of the four divisions authorized. These two divisions comprised a Deck Division and an Engineer Division. Enlistments were started and equipment requisitioned so that the organization was able to make its first public appearance on Memorial Day, May 30, 1916.

During the month of September, 1916, the Hawaii Naval Militia participated in a fifteen days’ cruise of instruction on board the USS St. Louis (a light cruiser). The ship visited Waimea (Kauai), Lahaina (Maui) and Hilo (Hawaii).

In December, 1916, the strength of the organization comprised 9 commissioned officers and 100 enlisted men, and it was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Stroud.

The headquarters of the Naval Militia was in the old metal bungalow built in the Palace Grounds during the reign of King Kalakaua and which bungalow had played such an important part in the life of the National Guard of Hawaii as mentioned previously in this history.

During the latter part of the year 1916 the Navy Department assigned an inspector-instructor to the Hawaii Naval Militia, namely, Lieutenant Commander Victor S. K. Houston, USN, commanding officer of the USS St. Louis, which ship was then stationed at Pearl Harbor. Lieutenant Commander Houston was appointed to the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis from Hawaii and was considered one of Hawaii’s native sons, although he was not born within the Hawaiian Islands. After retirement in later years he became Hawaii’s Delegate to Congress in 1927.

At the outbreak of the war between the United States and Germany, this Naval Militia was promptly ordered into federal service. As the physical examination given each sailor was most rigid, the number finally accepted consisted of but 7 officers and 43 enlisted men. The balance of the officers and 49 enlisted men were discharged during the year 1918 for various reasons and the Territory then ceased to have a Naval Militia. The men accepted for service were assigned to the USS St. Louis and sailed immediately for the Atlantic, where they served on the same ship until after the end of the war.

Among the officers of the regular Navy on the cruiser St. Louis was Lieutenant Commander Samuel Wilder King, another of Hawaii’s Annapolis graduates. It is interesting to note that he also after retirement was elected Delegate to Congress from Hawaii and took office in 1935.

Two appointments have been made in the Naval Militia, Territory of Hawaii, since the World War. Mr. Guy Nelson Rothwell was appointed a Lieutenant on January 16, 1930, and detailed as Aide to the Governor of Hawaii. He was promoted to the grade of Lieutenant Commander on December 19, 1930, and promoted to the grade of Commander on March 13, 1933, which rank he holds at present (June 30, 1935). Lieutenant (jg) Charles Walter Scribner, USNR, was appointed a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Militia on March 27, 1933, and detailed as Aide to the Governor of Hawaii. He resigned on April 23, 1934.
– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp.69-70

1915-1916

THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE

HONOLULU, February 17, 1917.

SIR

1. I have the honor to submit herewith the following report covering operations of the Hawaii Naval Militia for the biennial period ending December 31, 1916.

2. The Hawaii Naval Militia was established by Act 151 of the Legislature of 1915. On May 15, 1915, the following appointments were made by the Governor:

Commander A. Gartley, Commanding Officer (since resigned).

Lieut. Commander R. E. Lambert, Executive Officer (since resigned).

Paymaster J. Morton Riggs, Pay Officer (since resigned).

Mr. Joseph E. Sheedy (since resigned).

Mr. David Kalauokalani, Jr.

The above constituted the Naval Militia Board provided for by the above mentioned Act. Organization plans were completed and the first meeting held in January, 1916, when two divisions of the four authorized by the Act were formed, namely, a Deck Division and an Engineer Division.

3. In February, 1916, Dr. W. C. Hobdy was appointed to the organization as Surgeon, and shortly thereafter, upon the resignation of Mr. J. Morton Riggs on account of press of business, P. A. Paymaster Cyrus D. Bishop was appointed as Riggs’ successor.

4. Enlistment was started and equipment requisitioned. The latter consisted of rifles, etc., clothing, hammocks, blankets, mattresses, boats, etc. Much of this equipment was received in season for the organization to become equipped and make its first public appearance on Memorial Day, May 30, 1916. Regular weekly drill periods have been held, consisting of instruction in infantry formations, ship and boat drills, first aid, semaphore, gun drills, etc.

5. During September, 1916, the Hawaii Na val Militia participated in a 15-day cruise on board the U. S. S. St. Louis, which covered actual instruction received aboard ship by the regular force of the Navy. The organization made an excellent showing for its work during this period and a most satisfactory report of same was made by the Commanding Officers of that vessel to the Secretary of the Navy. The ship visted Waimea (Kauai), Lahaina (Maui), and arrived in Hilo at the time of the Civic Convention.

6. In September, 1916, P. A. Paymaster Cyrus D. Bishop was ordered to Washington to attend the Navy Pay Officers School for instruction along exactly the same lines as Pay Officers of the regular Navy. The course of instruction covered a period of two months and all expenses in connection therewith were borne by the Navy Department.

7. The strength of the organization on December 31, 1916, was 100 enlisted men, including chief petty officers, and nine officers, as follows:

Lieut. Commander William Stroud, Commanding Officer.

Passed Asst. Paymaster Cyrus D. Bishop, Supply Officer.

Passed Asst. Surgeon Lawrence L. Patterson, Medical Officer.

Lieutenant Samuel W. Tay, Deck Division.

Ensign Frank D. Gibson, Deck Division.

Ensign George A. McEldowney, Deck Division.

Lieutenant John A. McKeown, Engineer Division.

Ensign Leslie W. Branch, Engineer Division.

Ensign Henry W. Engel, Engineer Division.

8. Headquarters of the Naval Militia are in the Bungalow. This building is in poor condition ; the roof leaks badly and during heavy rains much of the equipment now stored there has to be moved from place to place to save damage. It is not believed that the condition of the building as a whole warrants the expenditure of any sum whatever for its repair. The sanitary conditions are extremely poor and some other suitable location nearer the waterfront should be provided at once. The organization at this time has two 28-foot cutters and one 33-foot steam cutter on the harbor front and at this date depends upon one of the boat clubs for the safe storage of its boat equipment. This in itself is undesirable and not considered a proper place to store Government property.

9. At the session of the Legislature in 1915, no appropriations whatever were made for the maintenance of the Naval Militia. The organization requires funds for various purposes, including lockers, office furniture and equipment, supplies, etc., etc., and has during the past year depended upon the sum of $25.00 per month from the Governor’s Contingent Fund to exist. A ship is badly needed and has been requested from the Navy Department, but it is a well-known fact that the Department will not consider the loan of a vessel for the Naval Militia until the Territory shows sufficient interest to provide funds for the fitting up of an Armory. Attention is invited to the estimates submitted for the Naval Militia for the next two years, and it is urgently recommended that the sums asked therein be appropriated.

10. The Navy Department has already assigned an Inspector-Instructor for the organization, namely, Lieutenant Commander V. S. Houston, U. S. Navy, Commanding Officer of the U. S. S. St. Louis. An Aeronautic Section is under consideration, and the organization is assured of the detail of machines for its use by the Navy Department.

Respectfully submitted,

SAMUEL I. JOHNSON,

Brigadier General, N. G. H.

The Adjutant General.

HON. L. E. PINKHAM.

Governor of Hawaii.
– 1915-1916 Annual Report pp. 20-22

1917-1918

Naval Militia.

The Hawaii Naval Militia which was organized under Act 151, Session Laws 1915, and consisting of one deck division and an engineer division, was drafted into Federal Service under telegraphic instruction received by the Commander in Chief and the following named officers and enlisted men being accepted into the service:

Officers.

Lieutenant Commander W. H. Stroud,

Lieutenant (j.g.) J. A. McKeown,

Passed Asst. Paymaster C. D. Bishop,

Ensign H. W. Engel,

Ensign L. W. Branch,

Ensign G. A. McEldowney,

Ensign S. W. Tay.

Enlisted Men.

Miller, J. F …………………………………………… Chief Boatswain’s Mate

Miles, T. T …………………………………………………………. Chief Yeoman

Ross, E. A. …………………………………………………… Chief Mach. Mata

Wight, F. H ………………………………………………….. Chief Mach. Mate

Whittington, W. R. ……………………….. …………… Chief Water-tender

Fischer, J. H ……………………………………… Chief Pharmacist’s Mate

Hart, L. H …………………………………………… Gunner’s Mate 1st Class

Honan, J. P ………………. …………………… Carpenter’s Mate 1st Class

Ringley, E. E …………………………………………. Mach. Mate 1st Class

Jelf, vV. P …………………………………………. Quartermaster, 1st Class

Linn, R. N …………… …………………………………….. Yeoman, 1st Class

Schultz, F ……………………………………. Boatswain’s Mate, 1st Class

Monte, J. M …………………………………………. Mach. Mate, 1st Class

Beerman, O. M ……………………………………….. Electrician, 3rd Class

Buchanan, G ………………………………………………………… Watertender

Dunn, G. K. ………………………………………….. Mach. Mate, 2nd Class

Iseke, L. ……………………………………………… Mach. Mate, 2nd Class

Sanford, G. H………………………………………………………………… Oiler

Wilberts, M. E ……………………………………………………… Watertender

Townsend, J. S ……………………………………………………… Watertender

Bent, D. K. .. ……………………………………………… Seaman, 2nd Class

Boyd, R. N. .. ……………………………………………. Seaman, 2nd Class

Crozier. E. T ………………………………………………. Seaman. 2nd Class

Fook, W. S ………………………………………………… Seaman, 2nd Class

Gilm;m, J . .. ……………………………………………….. Seaman, 2nd Class

Kahn, V ……………………………………………………. Seaman, 2nd Class

Kalakua, J ………………………………………………… Seaman, 2nd Class

Mossman, W. L …………………………………………. Seaman, 2nd Class

Perry, G. . ………………………………………………….. Seaman, 2nd Class

Wilcox, E. . ………………………………………………… Seaman, 2nd Class

Bent, H. . ……………………………………………………. Apprentice Seaman

Buchanan, H. A. ………………………………………… Apprentice Seaman

Chau, H. K. …………………………………………… Apprentice Seaman

Frank, J ……………………………………………………. Apprentice Seaman

Gomes, A. P ………………………………………………… Apprentice Seaman

Keliiaa, J. . ………………………………………………… Apprentice Seaman

Schimmelfennig, W. G. F …………………………… Apprentice Seaman

Alana, J ……………………………………………………. Fireman, 3rd Class

Iona, W ……………………………………………………… Fireman, 3rd Class

Kama, F ……………………………………………………. Fireman, 3rd Class

Ladd, E. H. ······················································-·Fireman, 3rd Class

Nunes, J. C. ……………………………………………….. Fireman, 3rd Class

Oliveira, J ………………………………………………….. Fireman, 3rd Class

It is believed that the large percentage of rejections of enlisted men was caused by the rigid physical examination to which they were submitted.

The balance, 49 enlisted men, being discharged during the year 1918 for various reasons, there is no Naval Militia organization remaining in Hawaii, and it is doubtful if any steps will again be taken to organize a unit of this branch of the service.
– 1917-1918 Biennial Report pp. 12-14