watch, the next junior with the next senior, and in that manner till the whole are arranged.

ARTICLE 200.

When two lieutenants are in the same watch, the senior shall have charge of the watch at night, and the junior be stationed on the forecastle; but in the day, the junior shall carry on the duty, under the general supervision of the senior, unless the commander shall think proper to direct otherwise.

ARTICLE 201.

When standing towards the land or shoals, he shall have the handleads used whenever the ship is in less than 25-fathoms water.

ARTICLE 202.

When going into any port or harbor, or approaching near to shoals or rocks, whether with or without a pilot, he shall cause regular soundings to be taken.

ARTICLE 203.

Upon all occasions of anchoring, he is, if possible, to select a safe berth, and have the depth of water and the quality of ground examined for at least three cables' length round his vessel, in places that are not well known, or where he is a stranger, and have such bearings noted in the logbook as shall enable him to recover an anchor, in case it should be necessary to cut or slip a cable.

ARTICLE 204.

He shall take care that the conductors are, at all times, ready for service.

ARTICLE 205.

He shall have the temperature of the air and water tried, and the height of the barometer noted, when there is one on board, every four hours when at sea, and oftener if necessary, and record them in the logbook, in the proper columns.

ARTICLE 206.

against accident from fire.

The commander of a vessel must be particularly careful to guard He will not permit lights or fires in any part of the vessel, except when absolutely necessary, and then only under the special care of some person.

ARTICLE 207.

No person must be permitted to read in bed by the light of a lamp or candle, and no smoking must be permitted, except at or forward of the galley, or in the cabin of the commander of the squadron, or commander of the vessel.

ARTICLE 208.

The spirit-room is never to be opened, nor spirits to be drawn off, except in the day time, unless in cases of extreme necessity; and at such times every precaution is to be observed, and always in the presence of an officer. Lights must never be taken into the spirit-room to draw off spirits.

ARTICLE 209.

Lights and fires are to be extinguished, and all other proper precautions to be taken to guard against accidents, when it is necessary to receive, discharge, or remove powder, or to open the magazine, which is never to be done without the knowledge and consent of the commanding officer for the time being.

ARTICLE 210.

He shall be attentive to keep the vessel well caulked, and, as far as practicable, by the carpenters and caulkers of the vessel; particu. larly about the bits, waterways, and other parts liable to be strained, as her preservation depends materially upon her being kept tight,

ARTICLE 211.

In cases of shipwreck, (or any other disaster whereby the ship may be lost,) he, with the officers and men, shall stay by her as long as possible, and save all they can. He shall particularly endeavor to save the muster, pay, and receipt books, and slop-books, and take special care to destroy, or carefully preserve, all signals,

secret orders or instructions, to prevent their falling into improper hands; and he will use every effort to preserve discipline and prevent any irregularities which might give just cause of offence to the inhabitants of the country where he may be.

ARTICLE 212.

He shall, in case of shipwreck without the United States, lose no time in returning to the fleet or squadron to which he may belong, or, if acting alone, to the United States, with his officers and crew; to effect which, he may dispose of the property saved, or draw bills, as he may deem most advantageous to the public interests. If within the United States, he shall repair to the nearest navy yard or station, and in all cases make the earliest possible report to the Navy Department.

ARTICLE 213.

Should a commander be compelled to strike his flag to an enemy, he is to take special care to destroy all signals, or other papers, the possession of which, by an enemy, might be injurious to the United States; and he will keep them so prepared, with weights attached to them, that they will sink immediately on being thrown overboard.

ARTICLE 214.

He shall not, without the authority and permission of the Navy Department, or commander-in-chief of the fleet or squadron on foreign service, make, or allow to be made, any changes in the internal arrangement, or decks, cabins or state rooms of the vessel, or in her armament or masts, yards, sails or rigging, except in cases of necessity; and, when such changes occur, he will report the same to the department by the first opportunity, and carefully note and report the effects which such changes may produce in the qualities, performances, or efficiency of the vessel. He will, however, in forwarding his reports of the qualities of the vessel, and at other times, if he deems it important, suggest any alterations which, in his opinion, would render the vessel more efficient or improve her qualities in any particular.

Preservation of the Men.

ARTICLE 215.

Before a crew is received on board a vessel, when first commissioned, she shall be as perfectly cleansed and dried as circumstances will permit.

ARTICLE 216.

As cleanliness, dryness, and pure air are essentially conducive to health, the commander of a vessel is to use his utmost endeavors to ensure them to his ship's company in the most extensive degree. He shall not suffer the men to sleep in wet clothes or bedding, or to take them below the gun deck, when it can be avoided.

ARTICLE 217.

He shall cause the decks to be frequently washed, or otherwise cleansed, having proper reference to the state of the weather, taking care to have those decks where the men sleep as thoroughly dried as possible, before the men are permitted to take their bedding below.

ARTICLE 218.

He shall cause the bedding and clothing of the crew to be opened, dried, and cleansed, as often as once a fortnight, when the weather will permit.

ARTICLE 219.

He shall not allow the men to sleep about the deck, or in situations where they will be exposed to night dews.

ARTICLE 220.

He shall cause the men to bathe or wash themselves frequently when the weather is warm.

ARTICLE 221.

He shall require the men to wear flannel next to their skin, at all times when, in the opinion of the surgeon, it may be beneficial to their health, and to wear thick outside jackets when upon deck in the night.

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ARTICLE 222.

He shall take care that the boat's crews have their breakfasts before leaving the vessel, and their other meals at the usual times, except special duties shall prevent it.

ARTICLE 223.

He shall not allow boats to be detained on shore for officers, after the setting of the watch, unless the officers are upon duty.

ARTICLE 224.

He shall prevent all unnecessary exposure of those under his command, which may tend to produce disease.

ARTICLE 225.

He shall adopt suitable precautions to prevent the use of improper quantities of fruit, or of other articles, which may endanger the health of the crew.

ARTICLE 226.

He will order, in writing, such quantities of clothing, small stores, and such only, as may be required for the health and comfort of the men, to be issued by the purser; but he will limit the quantity to mere necessaries, when the men are indebted to the United States; and will take care that the purser makes no issues to the men, except as herein directed.

ARTICLE 227.

He shall not allow water to be drank, or otherwise used, until the mud and other impurities it may contain shall have had time to settle; and, in no case, allow the immediate use of water taken from alongside the vessel.

ARTICLE 228.

He shall cause a sufficient quantity of water to be delivered to the cook, to dress the vegetable part of the ration, even when on allowance, except in time of extreme scarcity; and the men shall not be placed on a daily allowance of less than one gallon, unless the commander should deem the interest of the service to require it.