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History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With MexicoSweeney, William Allison

History

History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico

Name: History of the American Negro in the Great World War: His Splendid Record in the Battle Zones of Europe; Including a Resume of His Past Services to his Country in the Wars of the Revolution, of 1812, the War of Rebellion, the Indian Wars on the Frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Late Imbroglio With Mexico
Author: Sweeney, William Allison

Sweeney, William Allison

African American soldiers; African Americans -- History -- 1877-1964; World War, 1914-1918 -- Participation, African American

"There should be 'black ships' assigned to be manned by American
     Negroes. These are days of democracy, equality and freedom,"
     continues the writer. "If a man is good enough to go over the top
     and die for these principles, he is good enough to promote in the
     Navy. Why not try it? Put the black men on their own ships. Promote
     them, rate them, just the same as the white man. But above all keep
     them on their own ships. It is fair to them and fair to the white
     men. The Brazilian and Argentine navies have 'black ships.'"

Recruiting officers of the Navy have recently opened the doors to
discharged Negro soldiers, and some civilians. If physically fit they
are permitted to enlist as machinists and electricians. The Navy has
opened a school for machinists at Charleston, S.C., and a school for
electricians at Hampton Roads, Va.

Men for the machinists' school are enlisted as firemen 3rd class. While
in training they are paid $30 a month. They also receive their clothing
allotment, their food, dry comfortable quarters in which to live, and
all text books and practical working tools. In return for this chance to
become proficient in a very necessary trade, all that is required of
those enlisting is a knowledge of common fractions, ambition to learn
the trade, energy and a strict attention to the instruction given them.

Subjects taught in the course are arithmetic, note book sketching,
practical engineering, theoretical engineering, clipping and filing,
drilling, pipe fitting, repair work, rebabbiting, brazing, tin smithing,
lathes, shapers, milling machines and grinders. It will be seen that
they get a vast amount of mechanical knowledge and practically two
trades, machinists and engineering.

In the electrical school the course is equally thorough. The men get a
high grade of instruction, regardless of cost of material and tools. The
best text books that can be had are available for their use.

This liberality in order to get machinists and electricians in the Navy,
argues that some change of attitude towards the Negro is contemplated.

It may evolve into the establishment of "black ships." The Negro sailor
has been pleading for years that his color has been a bar to him. With a
ship of his own, would come his chance. He would strive; do all within
his power to make it a success and would succeed.




CHAPTER IX.

PREVIOUS WARS IN WHICH THE NEGRO FIGURED.


SHOT HEARD AROUND THE WORLD--CRISPUS ATTTUCKS--SLAVE LEADS SONS OF
FREEDOM--THE BOSTON MASSACRE--ANNIVERSARY KEPT FOR YEARS--WILLIAM NELL,
HISTORIAN--3,000 NEGROES IN WASHINGTON'S FORCES--A STIRRING
HISTORY--NEGRO WOMAN SOLDIER--BORDER INDIAN WARS--NEGRO HEROES

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