Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 103, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 March 1917 — GET PLACES ON MERCHANTMEN [ARTICLE]

GET PLACES ON MERCHANTMEN

Rensselaer Boys in Navy to Man Guns on Merchant Ship. Earl Hemphill of this city, who has been on the U. S. S. Oklahoma, writes his relatives here that he and Hairy Hickman, who is on the same battleship, that they have been sent to Norfolk where they are at present awaiting their turn to go on the American merchant ships that are being armed for protection from German submarines. In order to man these merchant ships the naval department is .taking a limited number of pointers, gun captains, sight setters and tray men from each warship, and it appears that the two Rensselaer boys are to be among those chosen. There is a possibility that if war should be declared between the United States and Germany these arrangements would be altered somewhat, but at the time the work of arming merchant ships is being pushed vigorously.