The abandon ship mustering stations are distributed over the ship and include all available space on the weather decks except such space as is necessary to the lowering of boats or to the actual navigation of the ship. The routing of the troops to these stations is worked out on the principle that all watertight doors will be closed as soon as abandon ship signal sounds. The capacity of these stations is limited to a minimum of three cubic feet of deck space per man, giving also due consideration to the disposition of the ship’s boats. During the war the first abandon ship drill was held prior to the sailing of the ship. All men aboard were obliged to keep their life jackets within reach at all times. For the first three drills the troops were sent below to their compartments at the call “assembly” on the bugles so they would become familiar with their abandon ship route. After the first three drills, troops already up on deck proceeded directly to their mustering stations. [Illustration: GOING TO BRING THE DOUGHBOYS HOME] Troops were not required to wear their life jackets when hostilities ceased, but when abandon ship drill was held they were sent below to assemble in their compartments, put on their life jackets, and then at the abandon ship call proceed over the abandon ship route to their mustering stations to stand by for further orders or until “secure” is sounded. The plan followed throughout the ship called for the emptying of the lowest compartment first. Other compartments using the same abandon ship route stand fast until the troops in the lowest compartment have filed past. It was found that by this drill all compartments could be emptied and all troops assembled at their abandon ship mustering stations within fifteen minutes of the sounding of the abandon ship signal, or within one half hour of the blowing of the “assembly” which sends the troops to their compartments. _The Gunnery Department_ GUNNERY OFFICERS Creed H. Boucher, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, August 3, 1917; detached, April 20, 1918. Arnold H. Bateman, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, April 20, 1918; detached, October 27, 1918. Charles K. Osborne, Lieut. Comdr., U.S.N.; assigned, October 27, 1918; detached, April 3, 1919. ASSISTANT GUNNERY OFFICERS William E. Malloy, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, October 8, 1917. (Lieut. Malloy was detached as assistant Gunnery Officer in order to take over the duties of First Lieutenant of the ship.) SHIP’S GUNNERS Arthur B. Dorsey, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, July 30, 1917; detached, January 22, 1919. John T. Swift, Lieut., U.S.N.; assigned, January 22, 1919; detached, March 6, 1919. James F. Williams, Gunner, U.S.N.; assigned, January 20, 1919. (Gunner Williams served on board as a Chief Gunner’s Mate from August, 1917, until he was made Gunner in January, 1919.)