The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-10-03
THE TRANSPORT DEFECTS.
Early 10 the War Admiral Sampson
Went on Record.
NAVY SHOULD Bf IN FULL CHARGE
He Advised that the English system
He AdOpted-Troops on shipbOnrd
subordinate 10 the Navy.

Washington. October Now that
question has arisen as to the best method
OF providing an efficient system OF trans
portation 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 Admiral Sampson at an early
stage to the defects OF the transport system
as revealed in the departure from Tampa OF
the Shafter expedition and the delays In
the landing at Daiquiri, Cuba. The action
OF the navy department at the time is
shown by the following memorandum pre-
pared by Captain Dickens, VINO was at
that time acting as chief OF the navigation
bureau in the temporary absence of Cap
tain Crowninshied:
Memorandum for the chief of the bureau
OF navigation:
Bureau of Navigation, July 2, 1S9S.--Slr.
The following cablegram was received to-
day from Rear Admiral William T. samp-
son, U. S. N. commanding the Moth Al.
lantc fleet:
I'm 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 action OF the two services are
necessary. i would recommend the adop-
ton at once Of the English regulations on
TINS subject, including transport service
which exist In full detail. Their expe-
rience has been far larger than unat OF any
other power, and ! think their methods
would De perfectly adapted 10 urseyes. Ii
hsN rINl tam al,
not In the department would suggest ask
| ing for them at once through cur naval at
| tache."
| From the Queens Regulations and Adj
! miralty Instructions for the Government OF
| Her MaJosty's Naval Service, 1898. 1t Is evil
| dent that the transport service Is in the
! charge OF the naval branch OF their gov
ernment. On page 40, chapter 80, article
| 1858, II states follows:
| Whenever any Of her majesty's land
| forces shall be embarked as passengers In
any OF her maJestys ships, the officers and
sOldiers, from the time - embarkation,
| snail strlctly observe the laws and regula .
lions established for the government and
| discipline Of her majesty's navy, and for
! these purposes shall be under the command
| OF the commanding officer Cf the ship, as
well as OF lie senior naval officer pres INT,
and All military officers and ether persons
under tho equivalent rank of captain, taxi
actual command for the time being Of
any Of the troops embarked. through whom
orders to the tr-rps tgiven by bae officer OF
the watch are required to pass shall be
under the command OF tie officer OF the
watch"
This shows conclus,vely ! think. that
the transport service is entirely in the
hands OF the naval establishment. This
article is followed by detailed Instructions.
In advance of receiving tho regulations.
covering the combination ac'lc1 Of the
two forces, It might be a good plan, after
duo consultation and arrsngem snt VITA
the war department, to make beginning
oy following tho English regulations 81
far as they apply to the transport service
as they could In all probability, he made
easily adaptable to our service and also toi
the reason, ss Admiral Sampin states
that the English oXperier,c has been larger
than that OF any other power.
tSigned) r. w. Dickens,
Assistant Chief OF Bureau.