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Coast Survey steamer Patterson and the steam whaler Kodiak proceeded from Unalaska to the scene of the distaster. The steamer Cordova, south bound from Nome, was intercepted by radio and she at once changed her course and headed for the stranded cutter. In the meantime the wind and sea had risen, causing the Tahoma to pound so heavily upon the reef that the influx of water through the damaged bottom got beyond the control of the pumps and extinguished the fires under the boilers. As the vessel settled in a pocket in the reef she took a dangerous list, and on the afternoon of the day following the disaster the commanding officer reluctantly gave the order to abandon the ship. This was accomplished in good order, and the seven ship's boats, provisioned and equipped, shaped courses for the nearest land to leeward, some 80 miles distant. Severe weather was experienced and the crews suffered considerably from exposure, but the boats were well handled and all save one succeeded in landing on Semichi and Agattu Islands, where rough camps were constructed and signal fires built to attract attention of the searching vessels.

On September 26 the crews of the three boats were taken from the islands by the Cordova, and a fourth boat picked up at sea 30 miles from the nearest land. On the 28th the crews of the three remaining boats were taken from the western end of Agattu Island by the Patterson, thus accounting for all hands on the ill-fated cutter.

A board was promptly convened by the fleet commander at Unalaska, and after a searching inquiry into all the circumstances attending the disaster, found

That all necessary precautions were taken in the navigation of the Tahoma September 20, 1914, to avoid dangers, known and marked "position doubtful," and that due care was exercised in carrying out the orders of the commanding officer, and further that the loss of the Tahoma was not due to fault or negligence on the part of the commanding officer of that vessel, nor to any other officer or member of the crew of the said vessel.

It is believed that not a single island west of Unimak Pass is correctly charted; the positions of the islands themselves are incorrectly shown, the coast lines are incorrect, and the soundings and outlying dangers are, for the most part, left to the conjecture of the navigator. These facts, together with the ever-present fog, make navigation in those waters a precarious undertaking, but it must be done. In performing the duty of enforcing the law and the treaty for the protection of the fur seal and sea otter, Coast Guard cutters are obliged to take many risks, and it is not surprising that the Tahoma struck an uncharted reef; indeed, the surprising thing is that the cutters have navigated those waters these many years with so few mishaps.

7424°-FI 1915--12

Administrative measures.

Reorganization.-The organization of the Coast Guard under the act of January 28, 1915, has progressed satisfactorily, and at this time, less than six months after the passage of the act, there is every evidence that this long-recommended and much-needed legislation is accomplishing the object sought, namely, the enhanced efficiency of the life-saving function of the Government by the rehabilitation of the personnel concerned.

A board of competent officers selected from the former Life-Saving Service and Revenue-Cutter Service has been steadily engaged revising the regulations of those two services and combining them in accordance with law into new regulations for the Coast Guard. As quickly as each chapter of the regulations is completed it is promulgated to the service at large in the form of a general order. It is hoped to complete the task within three months, when the several general orders will be published in one volume as a book of regulations. The Coast Guard being a part of the military forces of the Government, the military system of the former Revenue-Cutter Service has been utilized as a basis for the organization of the Coast Guard. This has necessitated many changes in matters affecting the status and discipline of that portion of the Coast Guard which was formerly the Life-Saving Service, and it is very gratifying to observe how readily the transferred personnel of that service have adapted themselves to the new conditions.

A committee representing the Navy and the Coast Guard has been at work to recommend such interdepartmental regulations and agreements as may be necessary in order to make the Coast Guard most effective as an adjunct to the Navy for the national defense, as contemplated by existing law.

The transfer of the personnel of the former Life-Saving Service to the Coast Guard was accomplished by issuing appointments as commissioned officers, warrant officers, and petty officers to the district superintendents, keepers, and No. 1 surfmen, respectively, and regularly enlisting the surfmen.

Under the several provisions of the Coast Guard act, a total of 124 persons have been retired from active service, as follows:

Having reached the age of 64 years:

Commissioned officers-4 district superintendents.

Warrant officers-3 master's mates; 1 boatswain; 32 keepers; 1 carpenter.
Petty officers-9 No. 1 surfmen.

Other enlisted men-2 seamen; 31 surfmen; 2 firemen; 2 stewards; 1 cook.

For physical disability, upon the recommendation of a retiring board:
Warrant officers-1 boatswain; 5 keepers; 1 carpenter.

Petty officers-4 No. 1 surfmen.

Other enlisted men-21 surfmen.

Having completed more than 30 years' service:

Commissioned officers-1 captain.

Warrant officers-3 keepers.

In filling vacancies, the system in vogue in the former Life-Saving Service has been changed somewhat in the organization of the Coast Guard. Promotion to the grade of No. 1 surfman (petty officer) is made by selection from the grade of surfman, and promotion to keeper (warrant officer) is made by selection from the grade of No. 1 surfman. Warrant officers and petty officers are required to serve a satisfactory probationary period of six and three months, respectively, before permanent appointments are issued. In addition, warrant officers must pass a satisfactory mental examination. Keepers alone are eligible for promotion to the grade of district superintendent, and the selection to fill a vacancy in this latter grade is made by examination which is strictly competitive, the candidate attaining the highest average being awarded the promotion.

The administrative office of the Coast Guard (Headquarters) has been organized in five divisions, as follows:

1. Division of Operations.-Having cognizance of matters relating to the personnel and operations of the service.

2. Division of Matériel.-Having cognizance of matters relating to supplies, outfits, equipment, accounts, and the files.

3. Division of Construction and Repair.-Having cognizance of matters relating to the construction of and repairs to the hulls of vessels and boats, stations, wharves, and all other property.

4. Division of Engineering. Having cognizance of matters relating to the construction of and repairs to the motive power of vessels and boats and the machinery of all other property.

5. Division of Inspection.-Having cognizance of matters relating to the inspection of vessels, stations, boats, and all other property. The clerical force employed in the former Bureau of Life-Saving Service and former Division of Revenue-Cutter Service has been transferred to the Coast Guard Headquarters and assigned to appropriate duties among the several divisions.

Discipline.

During the year 86 general courts and 148 minor courts were convened for the trial of 1 officer and 233 men of the Coast Guard, resulting in 12 acquittals and 218 convictions; 1 case was nol-prossed and 3 not completed. The department has continued the policy of suspending sentence and placing on probation men who have been convicted of desertion and other offenses against military discipline not essentially of a criminal nature when the sentence imposed involves imprisonment or other serious punishment and there is a

recommendation for clemency or there appear to be circumstances in extenuation. Reports on the conduct of the probationer are made at regular intervals, and at the expiration of his period of enlistment the sentence is mitigated or remitted entirely, according to the nature of the several conduct reports. If, on the other hand, the conduct reports indicate that the probationer is incorrigible or is making no effort to redeem himself, action on the sentence is taken accordingly. As one result of this plan, during the past year it was necessary to put in effect sentences involving imprisonment in two cases only, and it is gratifying to note that in most cases the men placed on probation have shown an earnest desire to avail themselves of the opportunity thus afforded to regain their status.

Coast Guard Academy.

During the year a total of 16 cadets and cadet engineers have been under instruction at the academy at New London, Conn. Four cadet engineers successfully completed the prescribed course and were commissioned third lieutenants of engineers in August, 1914, and the same month six cadets and four cadet engineers were appointed. One cadet resigned October 1, 1914. The annual cruise of the cutter Itasca with the cadets covered the period between June 6 and September 14, 1914. The winter term at the academy is devoted to theoretical studies, while the cruise of the Itasca affords the opportunity for practical instruction of cadets during the varying conditions of weather at sea in seamanship, navigation, engineering, gunnery, etc. The junior cadets are given actual experience on deck, in the boats, and in the fireroom, while the senior cadets are required to perform under the immediate supervision of the officers the actual duties of navigating the vessel and of handling her, both in the engine room and on the bridge. The number of cadets being limited, considerable individual instruction is possible, and there is opportunity to give each cadet extensive practice in performing important duties, all of which tends to develop confidence and self-reliance and better prepares them for the responsibilities of commissioned officers.

Competitive examinations were held in June, 1915, to select the new class which will enter the academy in August. It is desired to appoint seven cadets and four cadet engineers, and in order to obtain a wide field for competition the examinations were held at the following cities: Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, Norfolk, Savannah, San Francisco, and Chicago.

Cadet engineers are appointed at the minimum age of 20 years and serve a probationary period of 1 year at the academy. Cadets of the line are appointed at the minimum age of 18 years and serve a probationary period of 3 years. The scope of the examination

for appointment as cadet engineer is, consequently, more advanced than for cadets of the line, and a candidate to compete successfully for appointment as cadet engineer must have had a certain amount of preliminary training in mechanics, steam engineering, and electricity. Despite every effort that has been made to advertise the existing vacancies, only three candidates finally qualified for the annual competitive examination in June, 1915, and it is quite evident from the experience of the past three years that with the present requirements it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit the engineer corps with efficient young men.

Two remedies for this condition suggest themselves, namely, to reduce the age limit and the scope of the examination for cadet engineers and increase the probationary term to three years, or to discontinue the appointment of cadet engineers and train cadets for both line and engineering duty. These matters are now receiving earnest consideration, and it is expected to be able to make definite recommendations in the next annual report. Meanwhile, the policy of detailing junior line officers for engineering duty, which was inaugurated during the previous year to relieve the condition incident to the large number of vacancies in the engineer corps, has been continued in the past fiscal year.

Medical officers on cutters.

The act of June 24, 1914, authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to detail for duty on Coast Guard cutters such surgeons of the Public Health Service as he may deem necessary, and plans have been perfected with the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service to assign medical officers to the several cutters to the extent permitted by the limited personnel at his disposal. Medical officers are now regularly assigned to seven cutters and temporary details are made to three other cutters when proceeding on extensive cruises. Aside from the necessity for the services of a medical officer on each cutter to conserve the health of a crew totaling an average of 70 persons, who are frequently engaged in work involving hazard and exposure, all cruising cutters are often called upon for medical or surgical aid by the crews of merchant vessels at sea or in remote places. When a surgeon is available much unnecessary suffering is alleviated among seafaring men along our coasts, and undoubtedly at times seamen's lives are saved through this prompt medical attention.

It is hoped that during the current year it may be possible to provide for the regular detail of surgeons to a part, if not all, of the remaining cruising cutters.

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