officer. When requisitions on the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery are necessary, they shall be made by him.

cers of the fleet.

(4) He shall, under the flag officer, exercise a general supervision Supervision over all medical officers in the fleet in their professional treatment over medical offiand care of the sick, visiting each ship from time to time for that purpose. He shall consult with the medical officers in the fleet as to the treatment of difficult cases of sickness.

Inspection of a

(5) He shall, when directed to inspect the sanitary condition of any ship, carefully examine the sick bay, dispensary, medical store- ship. room, hospital stores and medicine, medical journal and other records, and instruments. In cases of epidemics, or where there is much sickness on board, he shall examine the condition of the bunkers, holds, bilges, closets, food, water, or make any other inspections necessary to ascertain the cause of the sickness. He will make a written report, in detail, of the result to the flag officer, and he shall not fail to state therein if there is any evidence of neglect of duty on the part of any medical officer of the ship.

Suggestions to

(6) It shall be his duty, whenever he deems it important, to make to the flag officer any suggestions or reports concerning the flag officer. sanitary condition of the personnel of the fleet, the prevention of disease or how it may be checked, and the promotion of the care and comfort of the sick and wounded. All such suggestions and reports shall be made in writing.

(7) He shall inspect quarterly, if practicable, or oftener if Inspection ordered, the sanitary condition of all naval hospitals and other naval hospitals. places for treating the sick of the Navy within the limits of the command of the flag officer, and the methods of treating the patients therein; he shall report to the flag officer in writing the result of his inspection.

of

(8) He shall, after an action and from the reports of the medical A report of officers of the ships of the fleet, make and forward to the flag officer the killed and and to the Navy Department for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery a tabulated report of all the killed and wounded.

wounded.

Official reports

(9) All official reports, communications, and returns, whatever their destination, he shall forward through the chief of staff and and returns. flag officer. At the end of the year he shall forward to the Navy Department for the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery a general sanitary report of the station. He shall approve and forward certificates of death and reports of medical surveys.

373. (1) The paymaster of the fleet shall perform the duties of pay officer of the ship to which he is attached.

(2) He shall, in general, perform such duties as are assigned him by the flag officer.

Duty of paymaster of the fleet.

Supplies for

(3) He shall examine and pass upon all requisitions for stores for the pay departments of ships of the fleet which require the approval the fleet. of the flag officer.

of the fleet.

(4) He shall, under the flag officer, exercise a general supervision Supervision over all pay officers in the fleet in regard to the manner of keeping over pay officers accounts and the performance of other techninal duties connected with the pay department, visiting each ship from time to time for that purpose.

(5) He shall, when directed, carefully examine into the condition Inspection of of all stores and supplies, the accounts and money in charge of the pay department pay officer of any ship of the fleet, his method of performing tech- of a ship. nical duties, and generally satisfy himself as to the care, zeal, and attention shown by such pay officer. He shall make a written report of the result in detail to the flag officer, and he shall not fail

Suggestions to flag officer.

Supplies avail

able for the fleet.

To procure

to state therein if there is any evidence of neglect of duty on the part of the pay officer of the ship.

(6) It shall be his duty, whenever he deems it important, to make to the flag officer any suggestions or reports concerning supplies for the fleet, or for the promotion of efficiency, uniformity, and economy among the pay officers in the fleet while performing their official duties. All such suggestions and reports shall be made in writing. (7) He shall keep an account of the supplies at naval depots and other places of deposit within the limits of the flag officer's command and of the amount of provisions and clothing in the cruising ships of the fleet.

(8) He shall, under the direction of the flag officer, negotiate bills cash for the fleet. of exchange and procure supplies of money for the fleet. He shall pay out the same only on orders and requisitions duly approved. (9) His accounts as paymaster of the fleet shall be kept separate from those of the flagship. Money and other supplies procured for the fleet shall not be used for the flagship, except upon approved requisitions, in the same manner as supplied to other ships.

To keep separate accounts.

Purchases for

the fleet.

Official reports

and returns.

Duties of ma

(10) He shall make such purchases for the fleet, and under such conditions, as are prescribed by the flag officer,

(11) All official reports, communications, and returns, whatever their destination, he shall forward through the chief of staff and flag officer, except such as are sent to the Treasury Department.

374. (1) The marine officer of the fleet shall perform the duties rine officer of the of commanding officer of the marines of the ship to which he is attached.

fleet.

Inspection to consist of.

Reports of dis

battalion organization.

(2) As marine officer of the fleet, he shall, when ordered to do so by the flag officer, make inspection of the marines of the ships of the squadron, and report in writing in duplicate the result of such inspection to the flag officer, who will forward one copy to the Commandant of the Marine Corps.

(3) The inspection shall consist of a thorough examination into the condition of the detachments and their proficiency in all drills and duties required of them, and into the care and condition of all arms, accouterments, clothing, and other Government property in that department, for which the officer or noncommissioned officer in charge is responsible.

(4) He may be detailed by the commander in chief as superintendent of small-arm target practice.

(5) He shall require, from officers and noncommissioned officers, tribution and commanding marines of other ships of the squadron, monthly reports of the strength and distribution of such detachments, and shall organize the marines of the squadron into a battalion for drill, instruction, or other duty on shore when required.

Changes in the

(6) He shall, through the proper channel, keep the flag officer battalion organi- informed of any changes in the strength and organization of the battalion.

zation.

Marines to be (7) He shall, when authorized by the flag officer, collect the landed for drill. marines of the squadron on shore for drill and instruction, and shall avail himself of any favorable or convenient opportunity for so doing, and he shall exert himself to make them as efficient as possible in all drills and duties required of them.

through.

Monthly and (8) All monthly and quarterly reports and returns, which may quarterly reports be required from the officers and noncommissioned officers in charge to be forwarded of detachments on board ships of the squadron, shall be forwarded through the marine officer of the fleet for examination or remark, and transmitted by him, whatever their destination, through the chief of staff and flag officer.

CHAPTER IX.

THE CAPTAIN.

SECTION 1.-ASSUMING COMMAND AND FITTING OUT.

375. (1) An officer who has been ordered by the Navy Depart- When ordered ment for the command of a ship not yet in commission shall at once to a ship not in make a thorough personal examination of her, and inform himself as to her condition and state of preparation for service.

(2) He shall, if the ship be at a navy yard, exercise no authority or control over her preparation before she is transferred to his command, but shall keep himself constantly informed of the progress made and offer to the commandant such suggestions concerning the preparation as he considers essential or important to her efficiency. (3) If, when the commandant signifies his intention of transferring the ship to his command, he considers her in an unfit condition to be commissioned, he shall represent the fact to the commandant in writing, stating the reasons.

376. When the ship is to be placed in commission, she shall be formally transferred by the commandant, or by an officer representing him, who shall not be inferior to the captain in grade, as follows: As many of the officers and crew of the ship as circumstances permit, including a marine guard and music, shall be assembled and properly distributed on the quarter deck. When ready, the commandant or his representative shall cause the national ensign and the proper insignia of command to be hoisted, in accordance with articles 142 and 159, and turn the ship over to the captain; the latter shall then read his orders to command, assume charge of the ship, and cause a watch to be set.

377. (1) The captain, upon assuming command of a ship when she is commissioned, becomes responsible for the discipline on board. (2) He shall at once make himself familiar with the details of the material and personnel of his command, in order that he may make proper representations if any portion of either is unfit for the service to which the ship is destined.

(3) He shall apply to the commandant for detailed plans of the ship, and for such other information as can be given him concerning her condition and the repairs and changes made to her hull, machinery, and equipment.

(4) He shall use every exertion to complete the equipment of the ship and fit her for sea.

(5) He shall make requisition for such articles as are required to render her efficient.

(6) He shall make frequent verbal reports of her condition to the commandant, and on the last day of each week a written report in which he shall state all her deficiencies of material and personnel.

commission.

Going into commission.

Assuming command when com

missioned.

When supplied

378. If, when the crew is received on board after a ship has with an inferior been commissioned, the captain believes that any members thereof

crew.

To verify descriptions.

While fitting out.

are physically incompetent to perform properly the duties of their ratings, or finds cause of complaint or dissatisfaction with any of them, he shall so report in writing to the commandant and request a survey upon them.

379. After going into commission, and as soon as practicable after the receipt of the crew on board, he shall have a general muster for the purpose of verifying the descriptions. The executive officer, with the senior medical and pay officers, shall constitute a board for that purpose; the board shall correct all errors found in the description of the men, also errors in dates and spelling, and shall note those who appear physically defective; a list of these corrections shall be submitted to the captain for his approval. Copies of the corrections made shall be transmitted by the captain to the Navy Department for the Bureau of Navigation. The same precautions shall be observed whenever men are received on board.

380. (1) He shall pay particular attention to the equipment of the ship and endeavor to discover if there are any defects in her outfit and stores, including machinery, boilers, pumps, water-tight doors, bulkhead gates, valves and cocks, access to bottoms and bilges, ventilation, fire-extinguishing and distilling apparatus, spars, sails, rigging, guns and implements, ammunition and ordnance stores, navigation supplies and instruments, clothing, provisions, and medical outfits.

(2) He shall cause to be examined all spare parts of machinery and other spare articles, and ascertain if they are suitable for the purpose intended. He shall satisfy himself that the boats are tight, and that their outfits, including boat guns and their fittings and the hoisting apparatus, are efficient; and also that the battery can be manipulated effectively.

(3) Before leaving the navy yard the captain shall require each officer in charge of a department to report to him in writing if all the stores as laid down in the allowance books have been received, and what defects or deficiencies, if any, exist in the material or personnel under his immediate supervision. He shall then report to the Navy Department the condition of the ship, her outfit and equip

ment.

Assuming 381. (1) If, when a captain joins the ship to which he has been command of a ordered, she is already in commission and at a navy yard, the comship in commission. manding officer shall call all hands to muster, and the captain shall read his orders and assume command. After taking command he shall proceed as though the ship had just been commissioned.

A captain re

of command.

(2) If, when he joins, the ship is cruising or on service, and without a permanent captain, he shall assume command as laid down in paragraph 1 of this article. The commanding officer shall transfer to him every article in his keeping that pertains to the captain, and afford all the information possible that will be of service in the administration and command of the ship. After taking command he shall hold the inspection provided for in article 382 and report the result to the Navy Department.

382. (1) The captain or commanding officer about to be relieved, lieving another shall, before the transfer is effected, make a thorough inspection of the ship in company with his successor, and cause the crew to be exercised in his presence. He shall point out any defects and account for them, and explain fully any peculiarities of construction

or arrangement of the ship. A statement, in quadruplicate, of the inspection is to be drawn up, and, if satisfactory, signed by the officer succeeding him. If not satisfactory he shall state in what particular it is not so, and the officer relieved shall make such explanations as he may deem necessary, each over his own signature. One copy of this statement is to be forwarded to the Navy Department, one to the commander in chief of the station, and one shall be retained by each of the captains.

(2) The captain about to be relieved shall deliver to his successor the originals or authenticated copies of all unexecuted orders, and take duplicate receipts for the same, forwarding one copy to the superior from whom the order was received. He shall also deliver to him copies of all general regulations and orders that are in force on board, all documents received for his guidance in command, and such other official correspondence and information concerning the ship and her qualities, the officers and crew, as may be of service to his successor. He shall deliver the signal books and the keys to all confidential signals; also all other books, rolls, and documents required by these regulations to be either kept or supervised by himself. Under no circumstances shall he carry away the original records of his official correspondence, original letters, documents, or papers concerning the ship or her officers and crew, but he may take authenticated copies of the same. He shall turn over to his successor the keys to the magazines and shell rooms and all articles of the ship's outfit in his possession. He shall sign the logs, cadets' journals, expenditure books, reports of fitness of officers, and all other papers requiring his approval, up to the date of his relief.

(3) After the formalities enumerated in paragraphs 1 and 2 have been completed, all hands shall be called to muster and the captain about to be relieved shall read his orders of detachment and turn over the command to his successor, who shall read his orders of command and assume charge.

(4) The captain relieved, though without authority after turning over the command, is, until he finally leaves the ship, entitled to all the ceremonies and distinctions accorded him while in command.

another.

to

383. When a captain is transferred from one command to another, A captain transhe may take with him his steward, cook, and mess attendant; and ferred from one the persons thus rendered supernumerary shall be transferred to fill command the vacancies under the other command, or carried as supernumeraries until their disposition be arranged for by order from the Navy Department.

SECTION 2.-ORGANIZATION.

Police and oth

384. The organization of ships of the Navy shall be governed by naval laws, regulations, and orders from superior authority; all rules er regulations. and routine orders of the captain shall be in accordance with the

same.

385. All general orders issued by the Secretary of the Navy shall be read to the officers and crew by the executive officer, under the direction of the captain, at the first general muster after their receipt, and the fact entered in the log. Court-martial orders, and other official matter of like tenor, shall be read in the same manner, or placed on bulletin boards or other conspicuous places where they can be read by officers and crew.

General orders.