The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-10-03
As to the Best Method of Providing an
Efficient System.
Memorandum Prepared by Cap
tain Dickens, Who Was Acting
Chief of the Navigation Bureau
in the Early Stages Of the War
During the Temporary Absence
of Captain Crowninshield.

| WASi1NGION, Oct. Now that a
question has arisen as to the best meth
cd of providing an efficient system Of
transportation by sea for the army it
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 early stage to the
defects of the transport system as re-
vealed in the departure from Tampa
| of the Shafter expedition and the de-
lays in the landing at Baiuuiri. 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
| Chief Of the Navigation Bureau. in the
temporary absence of Captain CROWN
shield:
Bureau Of Navigation,
July 20, 1893.
Memorandum for the Chief of Bu-
| reau of Navigation-Sir The follow
ing cablegram was received to-day
from Rear Admiral William T. Samp-
son, Z. S. N, commanding the Atlantic
fleet In view of the close relations
of the army and navy which must ex-
lst in such operations as the present,
and to avoid friction, specific regula-
tions governing the combined action of
the two services are necessary [
would recommend the adoption al once
of the English regulations on this sub
Ject, including transport service, which
exist in full detail. Their experience
has been far larger than that of any
other Power, and I think their methods
would be perfectly adaptable to our SER
vice. If their regulations for combined
action are not in the department. I
would suggest asking for them at once.
| through our naval attache'
In looking up information covering
the subject of the above cablegram, [
am not able to find in the office of the
naval intelligence any publication relat-
ing to the regulations covering the COM
bined action of the two services. In
consequence of this, l would suggest
that a cablegram be at once sent to
the naval attache a London to forward
these regulations to the department. if
possible to do So
From the Queens Regulations and
Admiralty Instructions for the Govern
ment Of Her Majesty's Naval Service,
1893, it is evident that the transport
service is in charge of the naval branch
of their Government. On page 479,
under chapter 80, article 1858, it states
as follows:
Whenever any of her majesty's
land forces shall be embarked as pas
sengers in any of her majesty's ships,
the officers and soldiers from the time
of embarkation, 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 the ship, as we'll
as of the senior naval officer present.
and all military officers and other per-
sons under the equivalent rank of Cap
tain, r. N, taking passage and all mil
itary officers in actual command for the
time being of any of the troops embark
ed, through whom orders to the troops
Given by the office of the watch) are
required to pecs, 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 establishment.
This article is followed by several 9TH
ers, giving detailed instructions in ad-
vance of receiving the regulations COW
forces. 1t might be a good plan. after
due consultation and ARRANGEMENT
with the War Department, to make a
beginning, by following the English
regulations so far as they apply to
transport service, as they could. in ali
probability, be made easily 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 active opera tions covering a
long period of years. and for that rea-
son alone would, l think, be safe to fol-
low, and which, of course, could be
modified, from time to time, when APP
piled TO our service as experience might
dictate. Very respectfully,
Fl. w. DICKENS.
assistant Chief of Bureau,