The times., 1898-11-27

by the War Department. In no case was
any delay reported TO this office, nor is
any known TO have occurred. These troops
We're moved with the most satisfactory
dispatch and an entire absence Of acci-
dent.
Low rates were secured by the quarter
masters department in making these
movements. generally not exceeding 1-2
cents per mile for passengers, and in
many cases much less, and about one-half
the prevailing tariff rates for freight in
excess of 80 pounds per man carried free
From the declaration Of war to June go
lSss this department chartered for serv-
ice on the Atlantic and gulf waters 43
vessels, with total tonnage of 10i 2ll,
and carrying capacity of 1.2s7 officers
z. S5 men with their arms. ammunition,
equipment, medical and subsistence sup
plies. and s,7i6 animals. There were also
chartered water boats, with total ca
pacity of $50, ,000 gallons, lighters, 9 tugs,
and barge; also barges purchased
In addition to the above there were
army, the steamship Adria, used as ca
bic boat; the steamship Fanita, for the
secret service, and the steamer Gretchen
for inspection purposes.
The operations of the navy In the har-
Dor at Manila required that provision be
MADE Tor the transportation of troops and
supplies TO the Philippines.
Some difficulty was experienced In Sc
curing transport ships on the Pacific
Coast. not because the steamship COM
panies were unwilling to charter their
vessels to the Government, but from the
fact that their ships were engaged in
their regular traffic across the Pacific,
and were not available until their arrival
al their home ports on the Pacific Coast.
In order that sufficient means of trans
portation might be secured ii became nee
essary to ask Congress to grant American
registry to some available ships which
were under foreign registry.
Fourteen ships We're chartered TO June
80, 1888, on the Pacific Coast, having a to-
tai tonnage of Al 152 and carrying capaci-
ty of 629 officers and 13.t59 men, with their
complete outfit of camp and garrison
equipage, arms. ammunition, medical and
subsistence stores for voyage of over
1000 miles.
The combined fleets on the Atlantic and
Pacific Coasts ar the close of the fiscal
year consisted of 60 vessels of various
classes, with a total tonnage OF 1i5.353
tons and carrying capacity of over 3I.G0e
men.
The carrying capacity of the chartered
steamships employed in connection with
Gen. Skaters army for the invasion of
Cuba was not found adequate to promptly
transport the number of troops. in addi-
tion to that army, required for Cuba and
Porto Rico. and it therefore became nee
essary to increase the number of trans
port vessels with larger carrying capaci-
ty for men and animals with bilge keels
TO prevent rolling and thus make the
ships more comfortable for stock.
The fleet of transport ships which was
concentrated at Port Tampa, Fla. in
June last for the transportation of the
army of Gen. Shafter to Cuba. consisting
of SIS vessels. including 2 water boats, 3
steam lighters, l collier, and l tug, had
been fitted out for voyage 10 the vicinity
of Havana, distant about 400 miles: 2
decked barges We're also provided by the
engineer department. One Of the steam
lighters, the tug, and decked barge
failed TO reach Cuba.
Upon embarkation of the troops it was
found that the vessels would not safely
and comfortably carry more than about
16 900 men with their .. .2a5 animals, equip
ments, ammunition, subsistence. and
medical supplies on q voyage of 1,000
miles
This entire fleet arrived without serious
misha at Baiquiri. Uon disembarka-
tered by reason of the lack of sufficient
means for lightering the transorts, which
could not approach the small dock at
Baiquiri, and this office was advised of
the needs of the command. Active efforts
were Immediately made by this office to
supply the needed lighteraGe.
To provide lighterage for the transport
ships this department purchased the tugs
Gypsum King, Britannia, and Sarah, the
barges f. l.. BARLEY, Willie. Annie. Mo-
cha, Helen and the lighter l.. E. Rhine
hardt, costing s24l, 500. These vessels, with
the exception of the tug Britannia, which
has been in service in New York Harbor
and at Montauk Point, have been sent
to Ponce. Porto Rico, where they are
usefully employed.
The total expenditure for the purchase
of all vessels of all classes has been as
follows:
IA vessels on Atlantic coast ast.........S 49,, 600
vessels on Pacific coast. 100000
Tugs, barges, and lighters 2i53C0
The question of providing good water
for the troops by the means of Il field
filter was made the subject of early and
careful consideration. On the recon-
mendation of the surgeon general of the
army, the Secretary of War authorized
the purchase of 5000 filters of special pat
tern, of the Berefeld-Maignen and Pas
Northumberland manufacture at cost
of sse,10o. These filters We're distributed
to the various military camps.
On August G. 1895. the President order ID
that the graves of our soldiers at SANTA
go should be permanently marked, stat
ing that the present marking will last
but a short time, and before its offdce.
ment suitable and permanent markers
should be put up.
On August 10. 1895. upon receipt of the
above order from the Secretary of War.