The evening times., 1900-02-10


Lieut. W L. Howard, Of the Naval In
tenigence Office 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, to a greater extent than
any other power, is constantly engaged in
the transportation of troops TO 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 Af-
rica.
The whole of the trooping arrange
ments are in the hands of the Admiralty
which contains a separate department un-
der charge of a naval officer of high rank
who is styled director OF transports. He
is responsible for the organization and
detail of all sea transportation, and must
be constantly prepared for sudden call
for the transport of battalion of infantry
TO 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 it has always been
necessary TO resort to hired transports,
and as an example of the difference be-
tween the old trooper and a modern YES
sci when fitted for transport service, the
Jumna, of 6,2ll tons. carried, roughly, l.
100 men, while the Kildonan Castle, of g.
6e4 tons, chartered for the present war, it
is stated, can carry .. 700 men and l50 Of
fieers and that, too, at about 40 per cent
greater speed
These vessels when engaged are divid
ed into three different classes. officially
designated as transports. troop freight
ships, or store freight ships. according TO
the terms of the contract. Transports are
vessels wholly engaged by the Government
for a 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 ship is ves-
sci partially engaged for the conveyance
Of troops Store freight ships are vessels
wholly or partially engaged for Govern
ment freight
The transports have all to be fitted
and inspected according to specifications
prepared by the admiralty. the details OF
accommoda being worked out with eN-
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 20 over
crowding.
In arriving at the number Of ships
necessary 20 transport a considerable body
of troops the calculation is ordinarily
based upon gross tonnage. In a short voy-
age l l-2 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 S136 OF all
ranks. with 1851 horses. was transported
from Great Britain to the Cape in eighteen
steamers with total of $4,000 tons. In
1882 a force of l9.14S OF all ranks, with
5.90S horses was conveyed TO Egypt in
forty-seven steamers with total Of l4o,-
Geo tons.
The Personnel of the Army Corps.
The personnel OF British army corps
consists approximately of 25 0O0 men OF all
ranks. With this corps there win have
10 be dispatched force to guard The lines
Of communication. the war establishment
OF which is approximately 400 men. As
a matter of fact. the following numbers
composed the First Army Corps, the eX-
cess being cavalry: Men. 4l.3I5: horses.
l2.570, wagons. $50.
1t was Calculated that 10 transport this
body 10 the Cape. with stores and equip
ment, would require $50 0O0 tons OF ship
ping Sixteen typical ships we're despatched
with d total of SO 533 tons: carrying 1895
officers, 1908 men and 1920 horses. An
average of 5.46S tons. 6S officers, l,l00 men,
and 101 horses per ship.
with the selection and preparation OF |
the ships as transports the War Office has |
nothing whatever 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 10 waters edge at the ports of en-
harkation and Decentralization, respective |
ly But the military authorities are re-
sponsible for the amount OF space and ac- |
commodation required and for putting de- |
tails on board and on shore in an orderly |
manner.
AT each of the main points OF embarka- |
tion a 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 il /
a naval officer who is responsible for the /
proper fitting out Of the ship. its readiness /
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 |
mocls 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 al four
teen inches space. This framing is covered /
with light batten 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 is 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 berths
provided are in the sick bay. where double
Sc s7sm Over 1000