New-York tribune., 1907-12-30
URGES MORE CHAPLAINs IN NAVY
Secretary of American seamen's Friend So
ciety Points to Atlantic Fleet
the Editor of The Tribune

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: While the Pacific Coast feet is or its long
errand OF peace and admonition thousands of
citizens VIII watch its progress with pride and
interest. rejoicing in me strength efficiency and
size OF the new navy. Elaborate and careful
preparations have been made for the cruise: coal
ships have been sent away months ahead to pre-
pare for the feet; undesirable and averaged
captains officers and men have been weeded out,
until, without disparaging any of the less fort
unste IN the other squadrons II may be
truthfully said that the pick Of the American
navy is now on the ships bound for the Pacific
Coast.
The European press has weighed its merits
pointed out its defects. and the American press
commented the display Of naval power and
drawn some interesting historical parallels But
in all the comments and criticisms of the cruise
! have noticed nothing said about the moral well
fare of the AS a of public interest
and concern 10 the whole nation, no preparation
has beer made for the moral and spiritual needs
Of the fleet
The chaplaincy corps of the United States navy
Is the one department that has remained station
ary for forty years. At the close of the Civil
War the corps numbered twenty-four men. Since
then the number Of ships has increased three
fold, without addition to the chaplaincy corps
rather, reduction in the available men. for the
navy yards scholarships and rendezvous have in
creased. giving shore employment for about one
third of the staff a certain percentage are. of
course, on leave special duties. Roughly, only
pne-thiTd OF the total number of chaplainS
available for service.
AS example of this weakness the feet
the way 10 the Pacific Coast has sixteen ships
which chapIains should he placed, with crews to-
falling nearly fourteen thousand and only five
chaplains for the whole feet. Perhaps the paucity
Of chaplains might in part be amended An hour
Of silence worship could be made an obligatory
part Of the naval vessels routine az sea- but no
such regulation exists.
Within the last decade the personnel OF the navy
has been changed completely. Ninety odd per cent
of the enlisted native born Americans, re-
cruited from good homes, used TO the amenities Of
life, trained TO go church. 10 observe the Sab
bath and revere sacred things. Is il fair or just
that when in the country's service the ordinary
means OF grace should be denied these
For every ship who could do all that a chaplain
TO look after the social needs Of the men, organize
sightseeing parties and take brotherly interest in
the men when they go leave? The real dangers
TO the men the high seas, but in the
ports at which they CALL Many Of the enlisted
men go wrong for lack of the necessary guidance
and advice at the right time a cruel injustice
IS wrought on the men when their higher interests
are neglected.
The citizens and the churches OF the United States
should know these facts, for the chaplaincy corps
will be augmented when the demand is made with
sufficient loudness be heard
GEORGE MCPHERSON HUNTER,
Secretary OF American Seamen's Friend Society.
New York. Dec. q, 1867.