National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-02-18
loFFICIAL.
NAVY DEPARTMENT,
WAcuT~nrn~ Ian IN lRT6

Gcatrd! Order No. 1919.
A commanding officer OF a vcssel-of-war
when relieved on a foreign station will trans
fer his clerk to the officer relieving him, when
desired by his relief and agreeable to the
clerk. Should such transfer, on these condi.
lions, he not effected, the clerk of the officer
relieved will be ordered to his home, but in
no case will transportation be furnished or paid
for to any one going abroad to take his place.
The commanding officer entitled to a clerk
may appoint one present on the station, If
ct person TO perform the duties can be found.
GEO. n. RoBE>oN,
Secretary of the Navy.
NAVY DErAnTNENT,l
WASHINGTON, Jan. l., 1875.
General OTGCF No. 900.
General Order No. o., dated March II, 1860,
which forbids the practice of covering the
berth-dccks Of vessels of-war with shellac, is
hereby revoked. GEO. NJ. RoDEsoN,
Secretary Of the Navy.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.,
WAsHINGToN, Jan Is, 1875.
Gcner0I order No. .Ol:
The Department is gratifed to publish in
General Order the following commendatory
report from Commander A. P. Cooke, COM
manling L. s. s. Swatara, relative to the gal
liant conduct of Michael Deneef, captain of
top, on board of that ship.
Such an exhibition of gallaGtry and presence
Of mind deserves and receives the warmest ap
probation of the Department.
A medal of honor will be awarded to Mi
chael Denccf for his efforts in saving human
life. GEO. NJ. robson,
Secretary of the Navy.
U. 5. S. SwATAEA. (THIRD RATE.l
PORT ROYAL, S. O., Dec. 2S. 1878.
on. George NJ. Robson, Secretary Of the Nary,
SIR have the honor to call to your attention
the gallant conduct OF Michael Deneef 70. To Of
tn vessel.
Tn the morning OF December 1, while at anchor
in the harbor of Para, the Dinghy, riding at the
port-boom, capsized and got loose from her moor
knots an hour) swept the boat rapidly sstern. One
Of the Grew Of the Dinghy continued to cling to
her. but from his fright, or from accident lost his
As soon as the danger became apparent and DO;
fore a boat could possibly be manned, Deneef
1mPsd from tas port saS
succeeded In getting his shipmate on to the
Ding by, and kept him there until assistance from
the ship could be rendered md both men were
/ am glad to say that this act Of gallantry is in
perfect keeping with Densef's habituai seaman
He Is an American. formerly an apprentice
boy. and probably the finest seaman in the ship.
Very respectfully, your oeediens servant,
Commander Commanding.
Forwarded:
Commander. Senior oficer present.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1876. /
Gti,c,M Ortl,r 203:
The following change has been adopted in
the uniform of the enlisted men, of all grades,
in the navy; and commanding officers of YES
sells are directed to have the alteration made
by the men themselves.
Three stripes oftapc. to be three siNtecnths
of an inch wide, one quarter of an inch apart,
and laid on one quarter of an inch from the
edge of the collar of the frock, with 4 three
quarter inch white star in each corner thereof.
When new clothing is contracted for, or made
up by the men, the collar of the frock, which
is now six and one half inches deep, should be
increased TO nine inches. The different ratings
Of the men are to be indicated by the stripes
on the cuffs. GEO. NJ. ROBSON,
Secretary of the Navy.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, January 81, 1876.
G,"eI'd OrGcr 70. 26i:
On board Of all the vessels of the Navy
having three or less than three watch officers
on duty, the navigation officer shall keep a
regular night watch, or be assigned to par
ticular night watch, at the option of the COM
manding officer.
At sea, during daylight the deck may be left
in charge of junior line ofiicer-the execu-
tive officer, or the officer whose regular watch
II &C. nn ann hoinn iii
reCtly responsible for the junior in charge.
The log will he signed by the regular officer
of the watch.
Junior officers SIall be afforded frequent op-
portun1ies TO tack and wear ship, TO reef and
make ard shorten sail.
GEo. NJ RoHEsON,
Secretary of the Navy.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
WAsHIHGToN, February ., 1875.
G,H1r@ Cyoier No. 3Of.
The Department has noticed, with regret.
the frequency Of punishments inflicted upon
the enlisted men on board of some of the ships
now in cUmnSs.Gn--EO one punishment, per
haps, exceeding the law, but some command
ing officers, taking advantage of the law. i'll
tlict punishment for slight offences so fire.
qucntly as To harass The men and create dis
content. without adding to the efficiency of
their ships or the maintenance of discipline.
The Department, without taking more de
cided action at present, would suggest to COM
mandfng officers TO try the experiment of for
bcarancc and consideration for the feelings of
the men, and endcayor to induce cheerful
obedience by granting indulgcnces, instead of
coercing reluctant obedience through fear of
punishment.
If these means fail then they can resort TO
punishment, for the Department docs not de
sire nor intend that the efficiency of the navy
shall lie impaired by any undue lcnicnry nor
will it famction any willful disregard OF law
or dsrcspect 10 authority.
Gro. VI. RoEEsuN
Secretary of the Navy.