The evening times., 1900-02-10


Lieut.. W. L. Howard. OF the Naval In
telligenoe Omce. has recently made an in
teresting report to the Navy Department
on the embarkation OF British troops for
South Africa. The report SAYS:
Great Britain, 10 a greater extent than
any other power. is constantly engaged in
the transportation Of troops 20 and from
her distant colonial possessions. Her
transportation system is the product Of
vast experience, and only a well-nigh per-
feet system Of organization. coupled with
the fact that command Of the sea is undis-
puted, could make practicable the present
prompt departure OF troops for South Az
rica.
The whole OF the trooping arrange
ments are in the hands of the Admiralty,
which contains a separate department Un-
der charge OF naval officer Of high rank
who is styled director OF transports. He
is responsible Tor the organization and
detail OF all sea transportation. and must
be constantly prepared for a sudden call
for the transport of a battalion OF infantry
10 an army corps.
Practice Condemned.
Experience has condemned the practice
OF maintaining a number Of troopers
ships built specially for the purpose OF
carrying troops, for in time OF war the
crews would be required for the feet and
in time OF peace the system is costly.
Again in time of war IL has always been
necessary TO resort TO hired transports.
and as an example OF the difference be-
tween the old trooper and a modern ves-
sci when fitted for transport service. the
Jumna, of 6,2n tons. carried. roughly. L.,
100 men, while the Kildunan Castle, OF o.
664 tons, chartered for the present war il
is stated. can carry ZOO men and l5O Of
ficeTs, and that, too. at about 40 per cent
greater speed.
These vessels when engaged are divid-
Ell into three different classes, officially
designated as transports. troop freight
ships or store freight ships according TO
,sre terms OF the contract. Transports are
vessels wholly engaged by the Government
for specified time and specified service,
and while on such service temporarily lose
their identity. Thus the Nubia is officially
designated Transport No. 4; the PavOnia.
No. Is, etc. A troop freight snip is a ves-
sci partially engaged for the conveyance
Of troops. Store freight ships are vessels
ment freight.
The transports have all to be fitted
and inspected according to specifications
prepared by the admiralty the details OF
accommodations being worked out with eX
treme care The space allowed to each
individual is in strict accord with sanitary
requirements. and sickness seldom, il
ever. occurs which can be traced TO over
CrOwding.
In arriving at the number Of ships
necessary 10 transport a considerable body
81 troops the calculation is ordinarily
based upon gross tonnage. In a short voy-
age l - tons per man and > tons per
horse is considered a sufficient allowance,
but in long voyages more space must be
allowed. In 1879 a force Of S.136 Of all
ranks. with 1851 horses. was transported
from Great Britain to the Cape in eighteen
steamers with total OF 5000 tons. In
1882 a force Of lg.l4S Of all ranks with
5.90S horses. was conveyed 70 Egypt in
fOrty-seyen steamers With total Of l40,-
eco tons.
The Personnel of the Army Corps.
The personnel Of British army ccrps
consists approximately Of $4,000 men OF all
ranks. with this corps there win have
TO be dispatched force to guard the lines
OF communication the war establishment
OF which is approximately 4.500 men. As
a matter Of fact. the following numbers
composed the First Army Corps the ex-
cess being cavalry: Men. 4l315; horses.
1850, wagons go.
1t was Calculated that 10 transport this
body 10 the Cape, with stores and equip
ment would require 330 600 tons OF ship
ping. Sixteen typical ships were despatched
with a total OF S6.533 tons; carrying .096
officers. 1908 men and 500 horses. An
average Of 5.46s tons 6S officers LOO men.
and 101 horses per ship.
with the selection and preparation OF
the ships as transports the War Office has
nothing whs steyer 10 DO beyond appointing
The military members of a mixed board
which passes the ships for use The trans
port department Of the Admiralty IS re-
sponsible for every detail connected with
the transportation OF troops from waters
edge TO waters edge at the ports OF en-
barkation and Decentralization, respective
ly. But the military authorities are re-
spOnsible for the amount or space and ac-
cOmmUdatiOn required and for putting de-
tails on board and on shore in an orderly
manner.
AT each Of the main points Of embarka-
tion d number Of naval officers are sta
toned. the senior being assigned as prin-
cipal transport officer. In addition to
these, each transport has assigned TO it
naval officer who is responsible for the
10 receive troops with assigned stores and
equipments at the prescribed times. and
for the stowage OF men and material
The troop officers are quartered in the
usual passenger quarters OF the ship. and
if this is not sufficient additional two berth
rooms are built wherever most convenient
All the enlisted force are berthed in ham
mOcks provided by the Admiralty. fitted
with clews and heavy blankets. but no
mattresses.
Heavy stringers are run along the decks
OF a transport under the overhead beams
with thwartship scantling at intervals. into
which hammock hooks are screwed at four
teen inches space. This framing Is covered
with light batteu strips thus giving ample
stowage space for each soldiers kit and
cork belt. the latter being slowed in place
before the troops arrive
In each compartment OF The deck ia a
large bin with several sections. in which
the hammOcks are slowed. rolled length
wise with blankets inside and the clews
tied around, instead of lashed as is Gus
tomary IN the Navy. The only fixed bertbs
provided are in the sick bay. where double
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