The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-03
METHODS.
The Transport
Question
DISCUSSED.
DISCUSSED.
Bureau Of Navigation Favor
English Ideas.

Washington, Oct. 2.-Now that a
question has arisen as TO the best meth
Cd of providing an efficient system of
transportation by sea for the army,
1t may be Of interest to note what the
view of the navy department has been
all along in this matter. The attention
of the department was called by Ad-
miral Sampson at an carly stage to the
defects Of the transport system, as re-
Nealed in the departure from Tampa
of the Shafter expedition, and the de-
lays in the landing at Daiquiri, Cuba.
The action of the navy department at
the time is shown by the following
memorandum prepared by Captain
Dickens, who was at the time acting
as chief Of navigation bureau in the
temporary absence of Captain Crowin-
shield:
Bureau of Navigation, July 20.
Memorandum for the Chief of Bureau
of Navigation:
Sir-The following cabiegram was
received today from Rear Admiral
Sampson, United States navy, COM
manding North Atlantic
In view of the close relations of the
army and navy which must exist in
such operations as the present, and
TO avoid friction, specific regulations
governing the combined actions of the
TWO services are necessary. l would
recommend the adoption at once Of
the English regulations on this sub
5ect, including transport service which
exists in full detail. Their experience
mas been far larger than that of any
other power, and, If their regulations
Tor combined action are not in the de-
partment, 1 would suggest asking for
them at once through our naval at
tache.
In looking up information covering
the subject of the above cablegram, 1
am not able to find in the Office OF
the naval intelligence any publication
relating to regulations covering the
combined action of the two services. In
consequence of this, 1 would suggest
that cablegram be at once sent to
our naval attaehe at London, to for
ward these regulations to the depart
ment, if possible, to do SO. From the
queens regulations and admiralty in
structions for the government of her
ma5estyS naval service, 1891 il Is
evident that the transport service is
in charge of the naval branch Of their
government On page 479, under chap
ter 50, article 1858, it states rs follows:
w henever any Of her maiesty's land
forces shall be embarked as passengers
In any OF her majesty's ships, the Off
GERS and soldiers, from the time of en-
barkatlons shall strictly observe the
laws and regulations established for
the government and discipline of her
majesty's navy, and for these purposes
shall be under the command of the
commanding officer Of ships as well of
and all military officers and other per
sons under the equivalent rank Of cap
tains R NJ, taking passage and all
military officers in actual command
for the time being Of any of the troops
embarked through whom orders to the
troops Given by the officer Of the
watch) are required to pass, shall be
under the command of the officer of the
watch
This shows conclusively, I think.
that the transport service is entirely
in the hands of the naval establish
ment. This article is followed by sew
erai others, giving detailed instruc-
tons. In advance of receiving the
regulations covering the combined ac-
ton Of the two forces, it might be a
good plan, after due consideration and
arrangement with the war department,
to make beginning by following the
English regulations SO far as they apply
to thetransport service, as the change,
In all probability, can be made ca
silly adaptable to our service and also
for the reason, as Admiral Sampson
states, that the English experience has
been far larger than that Of any other
power. Their regulations covering
these matters are of course the result
of experience and of many executive
operations covering a long period of
years and for that reason alone would
think be safe to follow, and which,
of course, could be modified from time
to time when applied to our service, as
experience might dictate
Respectfully,
F. w. Dickens,
Assistant Chief of Bureau.